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HISTORY 



ASHBURNHAM 

MASSACHUSETTS 

FROM 

THE GRANT OF DORCHESTER CANADA 

TO 

THE PRESENT TIME, 1734-1886 

WITH A 

GENEALOGICAL REGISTER 

OF 

ASHBURNHAM FAMILIES 



By EZRA S. STEARNS, 

Author of the History of liindge, N. H, 



" Whatever strengthens our local attachments is favorable both 
to individual and national character. Show me a man who cares 
no more for one place than another, and I will show you in that 
same person one who loves nothing but himself." 



ASHBURNHAM, MASS.: 
PUBLISHED BY THP] TOWN. 

1887. 



^7f 

4^ St 



PRESS OF 

J. E. F A R W E L t. & CO. 

BOSTON. 



PREFATORY note: 

BY THK 

COMMITTEE OF PUBLICATION 



This volume is presented iu response to a popular demand. 
The enterprise was instituted and sustained by a generous desire 
of the citizens of Ashburnham to secure the publication of the 
history of the town. The initial action to this end is found in a 
vote of the town in 1880, makino; choice of Wilbur F. '\\^iitney, 
Rev. Josiah D. Crosby, Simeon Merritt and William P. Ellis to 
make preliminarj' arrangements for the compilation and publi- 
cation of a volume. By subsequent votes of the town the 
committee has been directed to consummate the work. 

In 1882 Mr. Merritt died, and George F. Stevens was elected 
by the town to complete the original number of the committee. 
Subsequently, on account of age and feeble health, Mr. Crosby 
resigned, and Charles Winchester was designated to fill the 
vacancy. Mr. Ellis was appointed by the committee to gather 
material and family registers, and from this i)oiut the work has 
been prosecuted without interruption. 

Eai-ly in the spring of 1884 the committee contracted with 
Hon. Ezra S. Stearns, of Rindge, New Hampshire, to write a 
History of Ashburnham, following a general plan which he sub- 
mitted for our consideration, and which met our approbation. 

Mr. Stearns has faithfully and ably fulfilled the obligation he 
assumed, and has produced a work which meets our warmest 
approval and unqualified endorsement. Yielding to the express 
desire of the author, we reluctantly refrain from a more particular 
expression of our estimate of the sterling character of the volume 
and of our ready appreciation of the vigor of thought and felicity 
of expression which will not escape the attention of the reader. 

Wilbur F. Whitney, 
William P. Ellis, 
George F. Stevens, 
Charles Winchester. 



PREFACE. 



A Neav England town can allege no antiquity. Onh" 
in a comparative sense can one assume the dignity of age. 
The municipal history of Ashburnham is compressed within 
the l)rief span of one hundred and tift}^ years, and of this 
period the tirst two decades are isolated from the connected 
narrative of the remainder. The drama is limited in 
duration, yet the scenes are crowded with events. At tlie 
threshold stands the surveyor wnth his compass and chain, 
the emblems of approaching civilization, read}' to sever from 
the wilderness a defined area and limit the stage on which 
Avill appear the shifting scenes of succeeding j^ears. The 
earl}' settler, struggling with the subjugation of the forest, 
and, in the dying flame and fading smoke of the clearing, 
rearing a cabin and garnering the product of a virgin soil, 
the mechanic in daily toil dreaming not that he is founding- 
industries that will l»ecome swelling tributaries to the com- 
merce of the world, the Ivcvolutionary soldier breathing into 
life his aspirations of liberty, and in the fruits of war 
revealing the })ossibility of a republican form of government, 
the meeting-house on the hill, the settlement and labor of 
'*thc learned orthodox minister," the early schools, the 
primitive roads broadening by use into thoroughfares, the 
rude nn'lls exhibitinii' onlv the elements of mechanical skill, 



«; PREFACE. 

are a part of the history of every New England town, and 
each occupies a i)lace in the following chapters. And yet 
throughout the work, in early and in later afiliirs, it has been 
my constant aim to present, in a proper light, the forms of 
procedure and the phases of character peculiar to this town. 
The stereotyped features, which in the force and sequence 
of events are common to the history of all New England 
towns, have been mainly employed as connecting links in 
the succession of events or as mirrors to the individuality of 
Ashburnham. The glory of any town is reflected in the 
lives of sterling men whose deeds are the soul of its annals. 
In the following chapters, generation has succeeded genera- 
tion, and each has left to posterity the strengthening 
influence of an inspiring example. In local history is found 
the most potent incentive to activity of life and an 
honorable conduct. The nearness and familiarity of the 
exemplars animate the example. 

During a review of these mau}^ years I have found enter- 
tainment, which can be renewed by the reader, in silently 
noting the types of mind and character developed by the 
several families which have constituted the population of 
the town, — each generation exhibiting the balances between 
extremes of character and alnlity that incite comparisons and 
suggest conclusions. The summary record of achievement 
and conduct demonstrates that the genius of Ashburnham 
has been persevering, that the average ability of the citizen 
has been consi)icuous, and the general character of the 
masses has been well sustained. 

AVithout an interruption of the narrative in an exhibition 
of the fact, it has been my purpose to supplement the deeds 
of men with an eftbrt to also portray the hal^it and thought, 
the manners and customs, the aspirations and jiassions of 



PREFACE. 7 

each generation, and to state facts in such a manner that 
the reader be left at full liberty to draw suggested 
I'onclusions. Leaving the discussion of philosophies to 
more pretentious volumes, it has remained our pleasurable 
labor to revive fading memories, to give form and substance 
to the shadows of the past, to clothe in the habiliments of 
truth the fugitive forms of tradition, to assign to deeds of 
men the inspiration of a good or an unworthy motive, to 
present a picture of the past in which can be seen in clearer 
light the outlines of the present, and to combine the past 
with the present in a connected narrative of sequence and 
fact. Not to the manner born nor at any time a resident of 
Ashburnham, I have often oleaned in the field at a disad- 
vantage, but I have been free from the prejudices of 
familiarity, and in this effort have not been misguided by 
the vivid impressions and false estimates of childhood and 
youth. 

The fields, from which the material of the following 
chapters has been garnered, are the town and church 
records, the manuscript volumes in the State archives, 
manuscripts and printed volumes wherever found, and 
registry and probate records of several counties. Ceme- 
teries Avith their rigid inscriptions and family records, 
preserved by pious care, have supplied many dates that 
could not be secured from other sources. To the custodians 
of the numerous records that have been laid under tribute, 
and to a multitude of friends who have rendered cheerful 
and valued assistance, my weighty obligations are revived iu 
the memory of polite attention and spontaneous kindness. 
A generous measure of orenealosrical information has been 
obtained at the library of the New England Historic- 
Genealogical Society, and to John Ward Dean, A. M., and 



8 PREFACE. 

his obliging assistants, I am indebted beyond the conven- 
tional forms of" acknowledgment. And duty joins with 
pleasure in an unreserved expression of my gratitude to 
Harriet Proctor Poore, whose familiarity with the reposi- 
tories of historic and genealogical lore has aided successful 
research for many dates and facts not easily accessible. To 
AYilbur F. Whitney, William P. Ellis, George F. Stevens 
and Charles Winchester, who have faithfully represented the 
town in the preparation and [)ublication of this volume, I 
am pleased to express personal obligations for courteous 
treatment and polite attention. Their zeal and interest in 
the prosecutioil of the work have been a constant incentive, 
and their prompt attention in the profter of facilities has 
anticipated every reasonable requirement. The committee 
has relieved me from the embarrassment of censorship and 
the restraint of dictation, and, in a proper recognition of 
the fact, I assume responsibility for errors, for failure of 
judgment and for all imperfections which appear in the 
following pages. 

It should be borne in mind that many of the following 
chapters were written two years ago, and that mention of 
present time has reference to the beginning of the year 
1886. The mention of a subsequent event and the employ- 
njent of a later date are gratuitous amendments to the plan 

originally ad()i:»ted. 

EzuA S. Stkauns. 
RiNDGK, N. H., May 1, 1SS7. 



CONTENTS 



INTRODUCTION. 

Location.— Boundaries —Area.— Surface.— Soil. — Course of the Streams.— 
Connecticut and Merrimack Drainage.— Ponds.— Arboral Products. 
—Wild Animals.— Native Birds.— Fish. — P:ievations.— Scenery. 

17-26 

CHAPTER I. 

THE EARLY GRANTS. 

Seven Grants of Land.— The Policy of the General Court.— An Era of 
Grants. — The Starr Grant. — Owned by Green, Wilder and Joslin. — 
The Cambridge Grant.— The First Survey.— The Lexington Grant.— 
Sale of same to the Germans.— The Bluefield Grant.— The Early 
Road to Northfield— The Grant Sold to William Jones and Ephraim 
Wetherbee.— The Converse Grant.— Sale to Joseph Wilder.— The 
Rolfe Grant. -Sale to John Greenwood.— The Dorchester Canada or 
Township Grant.— The Canada Soldiers.— Four Towns Chartered in 
One Enactment.— The Township Surveyed.— Area.— Personal Notices. 

•27-51 

CHAPTER IL 

PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 

The Township Awarded to Sixty Persons.— Their Influence over the Settle- 
ment. — Proceedings of the First Meeting. — Changes in Membership of 
the Proprietors.— House Lots Surveyed.— Site for Meeting-house 
Selected. — Saw-mill Proposed —Second Distribution of Land. — A 
Fulling-mill Suggested. — The First Meeting-house.— War with Heze- 
kiah Gates.— The Province Line.— Mossman's Inn.— Fear of Indians. 
—Block House Built.— The Settlement Temporarily Abandoned.— 
The Situation.— Changes in Membership of the Proprietors. — Personal 
Notices. — Mossman's Petition 52-70 

CHAPTER III. 

A RECORD OF SETTLEMENTS. 

Kenewed Activity of the Proprietors. — Moses Foster.— The Second Saw- 
mill.— Grain-mill.— Settlement.— Disagreement between Resident and 
Non-resident Proprietors.— Names of Early Settlers.— The German 
Settlement.— The Province Line.— Manufacture of Potash. — Distri- 
bution of Undivided Lands.— Farewell to the Proprietors.— Personal 
Notices 80-107 



10 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER IV. 

FROJI THE INCOKPORATION TO THE KEVOLUTION. 

Incorporation. — The Petitions of the Inhabitants and of tlie Proprietors. — 
The name of Ashfield Proposed. — The Charter. — Early Town Meetings. 
— Ashby Incorporated. — Contribution to Asliby. — New Arrivals. — 
Salary of the Minister. — Schools. — Abatement of the Province Tax — 
Revolutionary Flashes. — Death of First Minister. — The Common. — 
Tax List, 1770. — Price of Commodities. — A Pound and Field Drivers. 
— Gardner First Suggested. — Warning Out 108-130 

CHAPTER V. 

KEVOLUTIONAIIV HISTORY. 

Situation of the Town. — The Covenant. — Worcester Convention.. — The 
Juror List. — Represented in Provincial Congress. — Powder and Lead. 
— The Militia Organized. —Prominent Citizens Interviewed. — The 
Salt Problem. — Alarm at Lexington. — Captain Gates' Company. — 
Captain Davis' Company. — The Siege of Boston and Battle of Bunker 
Hill. — Captain Wilder's Company. — The Declaration of Independence. 
— Enlistments in 1776. — An Hour of Gloom. — Town Proceedings. — 
Soldiers in 1777. — Alarm and Call for Troops. — The Response of 
Ashburnham. — Continental and Other Soldiers. — Public Aid. — Assent 
to the Articles of Confederation. — Depreciation of the Currency. — 
The Soldiers in the Field. — New Recruits. — Clothing for the Army. — 
Alas! One Deserter. — Soldiers in 1779. — Representative to General 
Court. — Price of Commodities. — Constitution Proposed. — Thanksgiv- 
ing. — Soldiers in 1780. — Town Meetings. — Observance of the Sabbath. 
— Soldiers in 1781. — Bounty Proposed.— A Fine Remitted. — Requisi- 
tions for Beef. — Home Trials 131-1 7G 

CHAPTER VI. 

REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. CONTINUED. 

Personal Notices. — Ebenezer Munroe. — Abraham Lowe. — Joseph Jewett. — 
Samuel Kelton. — Reuben Townsend. — Isaac Stearns. — William 
Stearns. — Isaac Whitmore. — Charles Hastings. — David Wallis.— 
Cyrus Fairbanks. — Ebenezer Wallis. — Thomas Gibson. — Jonas Rice. 
Reuben Rice. — Eliakim Rice. — Jabez Marble. — Lemuel Stimson. — 
Abraham Townsend. — John Bowman. — Joshua Fletcher. — Joseph 
Merriam. — Asa Brocklebank. — Jonathan Gates. — Jonathan Samson. 
— Ezekiel S. Metcalf.— David Clark.— David Chaffin.— Ebenezer B. 
Davis. — Isaac Merriam. — David Merriam. — John Winter. — William 
Ward. — Edward Whitmore. — Reuben Rice. — Abraham Lowe. — Joseph 
Jewett. — Reuben Townsend. — Lemuel Stimson. — Jonas Rice. — Jabez 
and Oliver Marble. — Thomas Gibson. — Charles Hastings. — .loseph 
Gibbs. — David Wallis. — Cyrus Fairbanks. — Joshua Fletcher — Joseph 
Merriam. — Names of Pensioners Residing in Ashburnham in 1840. 

177-210 



CONTENTS. 11 

CHAPTER VII. 

STATE RELATIONS, POLITICS, TOWN OFFICERS. 

A Season of Disquietude. — Shay's Revolt. — The Loyal Sentiment of Ash- 
burnham. — Volunteers to Suppress the Revolt. — Isaac Stearns' Diary. 
— A Bloodless Campaign. — Constitutional Conventions. — Representa- 
tion in the Legislature. — Vote of the Town for Governor.— Proposed 
Divisions of the County.— A List of Town Officers. . . . 211-242 

CHAPTER VIII. 

ECCLEASISTICAL HISTORY. 

Early Measures to Secure Preaching. — Rev. Elisha Harding. — Call and 
Ordination of Rev. Jonathan Winchester. — A Church Embodied. — 
The Covenant.— Original Membership.- Additions. — The First Dea- 
cons.— Death of Mr. Winchester.— His Character.— Call and Ordina- 
tion of Rev. John Cushing. — A Long and Successful Ministry. — An 
Era of Concord.— Discipline without Asperity.— Half Way Covenant. 
—Death of Mr. Cushing.— His Character.— Call and Ordination of 
Rev. George Perkins. — Installation of Rev. George Goodyear. — Rev. 
Edwin Jennison. — Rev. Elnathan Davis. — Rev. Frederick A. Fiske. — 
Rev. Elbridge G. Little.— Rev. Thomas Boutelle.— Rev George E. 
Fisher. — Rev. Moody A. Stevens.— Rev. Leonard S. Parker.— Rev. 
Daniel E. Adams. — Rev. Josiah D. Crosby.— A Vacancy.— The 
Deacons 243-28S 

CHAPTER IX. 

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. CONTINUED. 

The First Meeting-house. — Votes Concerning the Edifice. — Pews Con- 
structed.— The Town as a Parish.— The Salary of Mr. Cashing.- 
The Hurricane.— The Site of the First Meeting-house.— The Second 
Meeting-house. — Proceedings 1791. — Painting of the Meeting-house. — 
Toleration. — Dissolution of ihe Relations between the Town and the 
Church.— First Parish Organized.— Contention over the Ministerial 
Fund. — The Third Meeting-house. — Location.— Continued History. — 
—The Edifice Remodelled.— The Parsonage 284-308 

CHAPTER X. 

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. CONTINUED. 

The Methodists.— The Field and the Situation. — The Early Preachers. — 

The First Meeting-house.— Second Meeting-house.— The Ministers. 
The Union Church.— The Elements Collected.— The Meeting-house.— A 

Church Embodied.— The Early Preachers.— Elder Edward A. Rollins. 

—Rev. A. A. Whitmore.— Temporary Supplies.— Rev. Daniel Wight. 

— The Parish. — Personal Notices. — The Deacons. 
The Baptists. — Preachers without Pay.— Stephen Gibson.— Disintegration. 
Adventists. — Their Belief. — No Church Organization. 
The Catholics. — First Services in this Town. — Purchase a Meeting-house. 

— Rev. John Conway 309-o23 



12 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XI. 

SACUKD MUSIC. 

A Truthful Remark of No Great Account.— Early Action in Relation to 
Sacred Music. — Ye Pitch-pipe.— Early Hymn-books.— New Tunes. — 
First Choristers. — Deaconing the Hymn. — Bass "Viol. — Musical 
Panulies.- Later Members of the Congregational Choir.— The Meth- 
odist Choir 324-330 

CHAPTER XII. 

PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 

Home Education.— First Appropriation for Schools.— First School-houses. 
— Districts.— Eight Districts Defined. — A New District. — The Tenth 
District. — New Boundaries. — Tlie Eleventh District.- The District 
System Abolished. — School-housi^s.— Text-books. — Teachers. — Ap- 
propriations—School Legislation. — High Schools.— Prudential Affairs. 
— Supervision ;!31-34D 

CHAPTER XIII. 

THE CUSHINtl ACADEMY. 

Incidental Features of the Endowment.— The Will of Thomas Parkmau 
Cushing. — The Trustees.— Progress of Events. — Winchester Square. — 
The Edifice.— Dedication.— The School Fund.— Jewett Hall.— The 
Crosby Scholarship. — Library and Apparatus.— Professor Pierce. — 
Professor Vose. -Board of Trustees, Past and Present. . 350-359 

CHAPTER XIV. 

BOUNDARIES. 

Donations of Land to Other Towns. — Original Area. — Province Line. — 
Incorporation of Ashby. — Gardner. — Area Severed from Ashburnham. 
— The Families. — Land Annexed to Ashby.— The Petitioners.— Ash- 
burnham Resists. — New Boundaries. — The Families. — A New Town 
Proposed.— Meeting-house Built. — Renewed Effort and Opposition.— 
John Ward and William Barrell Annexed.— Petition of George Wilker 
and others 3(50-371 

CHAPTER XV. 

KOADS AND UAlLltOADS. 

The Primitive Roads. — The Northfield Road. — Early Roads in Ashburnham. 
— The Great Road to Ipswich Canada. — A County Road. — Road to 
Ashby Line. — New Roads. — The Town Indicted. — Other County Roads. 
— South Turnpike. — The Winchendon Road Amended. — Turnpikes. — 
Teaming. — Expenditure. — Road Commissioners. — Itailroads. 372-388 



CONTENTS. 13 

CHAPTER XVI. 

HOTELS AND STORKS. 

The First Inn. — Several Early Innholders. — Uncle Tim's. — The Cockerel 
Tavern. — Two Hotels on Main Street. — Children of the Woods. — A 
New Tavern. — The Central House. — The Frye Tavern— The Tavern 
at Factory Village. 

The Stores. — The First Store. — The Jewetts and their Successors. — 
Madame Cushing a Merchant. — Several Small Stores. — The Winches- 
ters. — Adams and Greenwood. — Ellis and Lane. — Newton Hayden. — 
Parker Brothers. — Marble and Gilson. — George Rockwood. — Elliot 
Moore. — Mirick Stinison. — Store in South A shburnham. . . 389-400 

CHAPTER XVII. 

.MECHANICAL INDUSTRIES. 

Prominent Position of Ashburnham. — Three Early Mills. — A Multitude of 
Grain-mills and Saw-mills. — The Manufacture of Chairs. — The Great 
Number Engaged. — John Eaton. — The Pioneers. — Philip R. Merriam. 
— Charles and George C. Winchester. — The Boston Chair Manufact- 
uring Companj'. — W. F. Whitney. — The Manufacture of Chairs in 
South Ashburnham. — Burrageville. — Tubs and Pails. — Thread Spools. 
— Friction Matches. — Baskets. — Miscellaneous Wood-ware. — Wool 
Carding and Cloth Dressing. — Cotton Factories. — Tanning. — Morocco 
Business. — John and S. W. Putnam 401-423 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

THE ASHBURNHAM LIGHT INFANTRY. 

Zeal in Military Pursuits. — Early Officers. — The Light Infantry Organized. — 
First Commanders. — A Few Veterans. — Service in War of 1812. — 
The Roll.— Years of Prosperity.— List of Officers 1791 to 1847.— 
Promotions. — The Militia Company. — Militia Officers. — The Draft 
1814.— History from 1855 to 18^2.- Brief Record from 1866 to 
Present Time.— List of Officers 424-439 

CHAPTER XIX. 

WAR OF THte REBELLION. 

Prepared For War.— Mission of the Ashburnham Light Infantry. — Early 
Enlistments. — Second Regiment. — The Home Company. — The Uni- 
form. — Liberality of George C. Winchester. — State Aid. — Twenty- 
first Regiment. — Its Record. — Names of Men in this Service. — 
Colonel Joseph P. Rice.— Captain Walker and the Slavery Problem. — 
Other Enlistments in 1861.— Record of 1862.— Fifty-third Regiment. 
—Resolutions.— Record of 1863.— The Draft.— Enlistments.— The 
Second Draft.— Conclusion 440-463 



14 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XX. 

PHYSICIANS. LAWVEHS. PERSONAL NOTICES. COLLEtiK (JltADUATES. OTHER 

SONS OF ASHBURNIIAM. 

Doctors Brooks, Senter, Abraham Lowe, Abraham T. Lowe, Nathaniel 
Peirce, Abercrombie, Cutler, Stone, Miller, Wallace, Whitmore, 
Mattoon, Temple, Jillson, Charles L. Pierce, Stickney, Amory Jewett, 
Nathaniel Jewett. — Lawyers Cunningham, Adams, Parker and 
Andrews. — Samuel Wilder. — Joseph Jewett. — Ivers Jewett. — Jacob 
Willard. — Silas Willard. — John Adams. — Enoch Whitmore. — Jerome 
W. Foster. — Ohio Whitney. — Isaac Hill. — Thomas Parkman Cushing. 
— Milton Whitney. — A List of College Graduates. — Other Sons of 
Ashburnham 4G4-517. 

CHAPTER XXI. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

Pauperism. — Tithingmen. — Town House. — Union Hall.— Post Offices. — 
Libraries. — First National Bank. — Savings Bank. — Farmers' Club. — 
Pounds. — Bounties on Wild Animals. — Thief Detecting Societj'. — 
Brass Band. — Powder House. — Population 518-540 

CHAPTER XXII. 

MORTUARY RECORDS. 

The Early Burials. — Death of Mr. Haskell — Germans Buried Elsewhere. — 
The Old and the New Cemeteries. — Suicides.— Accidental Deaths.— 
Record of Deaths of Aged Persons. — List of Aged Persons now 
Living in Ashburnham 541-555 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

GLEANINGS. 

A Present to Rev. John Cushing. — Seating the Meeting-house. — Minor 
Topics. — A New Town Proposed. — A New Name Suggested for 
Ashburnham. — A War Cloud. — Sickness. — A Severe Winter. — A 
Variety. — The Great Gale. — The First Fire Engine — Temperance. — 
Millerites. — The Great Freshet. — Miscellaneous Topics . . 556-573 

Genealogical Register 575-1007 

Index of Names 1009-1022 



ILLUSTRATIONS, 



PORTRAITS. 

PAGE 

EZRA S. STEARNS Frontis. 

JOSIAH D. CROSBY 281 

A. T. LOWE 466 

WILLIAM H. CUTLER 469 

JEROME W. FOSTER 485 

OHIO AVHITXEY, Jr 486 

H. C. HOBART • 502 

IVERS W. ADAiAIS 592 

JOSEPH GUSHING 666 

RODNEY HUNT 762 

SIMEON MERRITT 825 

LORING MUNROE 839 

IVERS PHILLIPS 848 

OHIO WHITNEY 962 

WILBUR F. WHITNEY 968 

ENGRAVINGS. 

SECOND MEETING HOUSE 295 

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 306 

CUSHING ACADEMY 356 

THE BRICK STORE 396 

FACTORIES: BOSTON CHAIR MANUFACTURING CO 413 

WILBUR F. WHITNEY 414 

POWDER HOUSE 539 

ADAMS HOMESTEAD 586 

PETER HUNT HOMESTEAD T61 

RESIDENCE: Dr. N. JEWETT 765 

THE WILDER HOMESTEAD 849 

RESIDENCE: Dr. A. L. STICKNEY 909 

THE OHIO WHITNT:Y HOMESTEAD 962 

RESIDENCE: CHARLES WINCHESTER 996 



INTRODUCTION. 



LOCATION. BOUNDARIES. AREA. SURFACE. SOIL. COURSE OF THE 

STREAMS. CONNECTICUT AND MERRIMACK DRAINAGE. PONDS. ARBORAL 

PRODUCTS. WILD ANIMALS. — NATIVE BIRDS. — FISH. ELEVATIONS. — 

SCENERY. 

AsHBURNiiAM is the most eastern of the three towns in 
Worcester county in ]Massachusetts borderin<? upon New 
Hampshire and is bounded on the north by llindge and New 
Ipswich ; on the east by Ashby and Fitchburg ; on the south 
by Westminster and Gardner and on the west by Winchen- 
don. The okl common on Meeting-house hill is iifty-live 
miles in right line northwest from Boston, and thirty-one miles 
north from Worcester, and is in latitude 42° 38' north, and 
longitude 4° 10', very nearly, east from Washington. The 
area of the town is about twenty-four thousand live hundred 
acres including al)out one thousand five hundred acres of water. 
The surface is hilly and diversified. Without ranges or sys- 
tems of hills the outlines of the landscape are bold and majes- 
tic, and promontories are frequent, yet isolated. Many of the 
elevations are 1)old and rugged, while others are rounded and 
elevated swells of land fertile to the summit. There is very 
little plain and intervale. The streams are gathered in broken 

and narrow valleys. 

2 * 17 



18 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

The soil of Ashburnliam is that common to the hill towns 
in this vicinity. When placed in comparison it is even stub- 
born and rocky, yet in most parts arable and productive. 
The surface is well watered. The subsoil is clay retaining 
moisture and springs of the purest water are abundant. 

The altitude of this town is greater than that of the sur- 
rounding country on the east, south and west. The courses 
of the streams are outward except in the north. The line of 
water-shed between the Connecticut and jMerrimack valleys 
extends diagonally through the town. The line of division 
is irregular but is easily traced from Great AVatatic to Little 
Watatic, thence southerly and over the low ridges between 
Upper Naukeag and Eice pond to the old common. Diverg- 
ing to the north and west the line extends near the ancient 
Winchendon road past the residence of Edwin Hayward to 
near the John Woods farm, thence southerly into the forest 
about one mile and thence westerly and southwesterly about 
two miles to the southeast corner of Winchendon. 

The northwestern or Connecticut slope is drained into Mil- 
ler's river. The Upper Naukeag lake which flows into Lower 
Naukeag is the source of the south branch of that river. At 
the Lower Naukeag it receives a copious affluent from the north- 
east. This stream rises in Binney pond in New Ipswich and 
receives the drainage of a considerable portion of the eastern 
slope of New Ipswich mountains. It enters this town through 
the farm of Edwin J. Stearns and flows thence through the 
village of North Ashburnham into the Lower Naukeag. In 
its onward course from this lake the next considerable tribu- 
tary to the south branch of Miller's river is the modest con- 
tribution of Rindge which flows past the mills of Robert W. 
Mclntire and joins the stream north of Burrageville. The 
river thus reinforced abruptly leaves the town but repenting 
before a mile is traversed, it returns and patiently drives the 



INTRODUCTION. 19 

mills at Burrageville. In compensation for exhausted energy' 
it soon receives a tributary from the south and rushes on to 
its many tasks below until it falls into the Connecticut near 
Greenfield. By this river a half of the town is drained. The 
source of the brook rising in New Ipswich and flowing through 
this town is the extreme eastern point of the Connecticut 
valley. 

The southeastern or Merrimack slope is divided into four 
sections and is drained ])y as many streams flowing outward. 
The flrst drainage is in the northeast part of the town and 
embraces the l^asin deflned by Great Watatic, Little "Watatic 
and Blood hill. Here the overflow of Stoger meadow and a 
few smaller streams falling into Ward pond and thence into 
Watatic pond give rise to a l)ranch of the Souhegan river. 
Its course is through the north part of Ashby and New Ips- 
wich and onward to the Merrimack river at the town of Mer- 
rimack, New Hampshire. 

The second drainage is of small area lying between Blood 
and Russell hills and embraces portions of the Dutch and 
Cambridge farms. The streams leave this town near the 
residence of Joseph W. Wilker and fall into the Ashby res- 
ervoir. Here the collected water assumes the name of 
Willard's brook and is tributary to the Squanicook river in 
Townsend. 

The third drainage is bounded on the north and east by the 
Connecticut slope and the flrst and second sections of the 
Merrimack slope. The western boundary is the height of land 
from Meeting-house hill, thence south across the farm of 
Joseph Harris to the line of Westminster. The water collected 
at Rice or Reservoir pond is drained by Phillips' brook flowing- 
through the centre village and onward through the noi-theast 
l)art of Westminster into Fitchburg. 

The fourtli drainage of the Merrimack slope embraces the 



20 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

southwest jind remaining area of the town. Here are several 
artificial ponds but no natural l)ody of water. The drainage 
is collected in the stream rising in the Nashua reservoir and 
flowing through the village of South Ashburnham and thence 
through Westminster in a course nearly parallel with Phillips* 
In-ook to the line of Fitchburg. At this point it abruptly 
turns to the north and unites with Phillips' Ijrook at -West 
Fitchburg. Dashing on in a first emljrace through the rocky 
valley of Fitchburg it more leisurely pursues its way through 
Leominster and Lancaster to a ' point between Groton and 
Shirley where it receives the Squanicook, bearing the waters 
of the second drainage. Together the triune river engulfed 
in stronger currents falls into the Merrimack river at Nashua. 
Perhaps somewhere in the river-bed they recognize and 
mingle with the clear waters from Watatic pond which in its 
onward course to the ocean has wandered through the valley 
of the Souhegan. Fallulah or Baker's ])rook flowing into 
Fitchburg and a small stream flowing into Westminster are 
tributary in a short distance to the larger streams and are not 
considered separately. 

There are eight natural i)onds in this town ; four are trib- 
utary to the Connecticut and four to the Merrimack river. 

The Upper Naukeag or Meeting-house pond, l)eneath 
the towering summits of the surrounding hills and dotted 
with rugged islands, is a lake of peculiar beauty and attrac- 
tion. The water is clear and cool and the basin unusually 
free from sediment. The shores are mainly rocky, some- 
times bold and rugged, in otlier places pure sand of spark- 
ling whiteness forms tlie encircling barrier and extends 
))eneath the surface of the crystal water, l)ut nowhere is the 
hike approached by low and marshy ground. This lake and 
the Watatic mountains were known to the explorers before 
the settlement of the town. The names imdoubtedly are 



INTRODUCTION. 21 

of Indian origin, but the original sound has been so imper- 
fectly preserved and the names have experienced so many 
changes in English orthography that students of the Indian 
dialects fail to discover the original sign iti cation of the terms. 
Professor Trumbull, a recognized authority, has examined 
these n:ini3S in every form of orthograi)liy and fails to lind in 
them any element that designates either pond or mountain. 

The Lower Naukeag Lake is less rugged in outline. 
At the eastern extremity the accumulating dej)osit of cen- 
turies has appeared above the surface of the water and many 
acres of low land are included within the original basin of the 
lake. The drainage is controlled by artificial obstruction. 

A Nameless Pond of small area is found in the forest and 
surrounded by marsh. It is situated a short distance west 
of Little Watatic and is tributary to the stream which flows 
through North Ashburnham. 

Another Nameless Pond, a lonely sheet of water, is 
found in the marsh in the southwest part of the town. It 
is near the line of the Cheshire railroad and midway l)etween 
the depots at North and South Ashl)urnham. It is tributary 
to the south branch of Miller's river at Burrageville. The 
course of the stream is northwest and near the line of the 
Cheshire railroad. 

Rice Pond is the most important body of water in the 
Merrimack drainage. The dam at the outlet controls the 
natural current and overflows the original boundaries. The 
declivity of the shores is generally uniform and the natural 
features and contour of the pond are generally preserved. 
At the present time it is frecjuently called Reservoir pond, 
and in 1735 it was known as Wenecheag i)ond. 

Mud Poxd of small area is tributary to Rice pond and is 
situated about one-half mile northwest of it. 



22 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Ward Pond, formerly known as Whitemun pond, is u gem 
amono- the lakes auarded and nnrtnred l)y the encircling hills. 
Its pel)bly shores are familiar to the angler while its placid 
surface and picturesque surroundings are suggestive of rest 
and tranquillity. 

Watatic Pond on the stream ])elow Ward pond is similar 
in outline l)ut smaller in area. It lies partly in Ashby, but 
the greater portion is in this town. Near these two ponds 
were the homes of several of the earliest settlers of Dorches- 
ter Canada. 

In addition to these natural bodies of water, which for cen- 
turies have enlivened the landscape and mirrored in their 
crystal waters each passing bird and the overhanging hills, 
there are many reservoirs or artificial ponds in this town. 
Maintained by the work and for the convenience of man they 
are perishable and unless the l>arriers are constantly renewed 
the waters will again flow within the banks of the natural 
currents. They form no part of the natural features of the 
town. 

The prevailing arboral products are white pine, spruce, 
hemlock, maple, birch and beech. These are found in all 
parts of the town. In the original forests the heaviest growth 
of the deciduous varieties Avas found in the southeast part of 
the town, while the soft woods were in greater abundance in 
the northern and western portions of the town. The red oak, 
chestnut, white and black ash, hard pine, juniper or tamarack, 
fir balsam, l)asswood, leverwood and hornbeam are native 
here. The elm, l)lack cherry and white oak are found in 
small quantity. The white willow, poplar and gray birch 
are possil)ly of secondary growth and are constantly increas- 
ing in quantity. The moosewood, with it§ large, broad leaves, 
flourishes beneath the shade of the forests. Black alder, 
bearing red berries, is seen upon the roadside, and tag alder 



INTRODUCTION. 25 

lines the shore of the brooks and the margin of low lands. 
Red and poison sumac, or dogwood, are rare. Clusters of 
withe, whitewood, witch and nut hazel, and laurel are found 
in many places. A few locust — two varieties — butternut or 
white walnut, and Lombardy poplar have flourished as shade- 
trees, but are not natives here. 

The town originally was heavily wooded. The denizens 
of the dense forests included a variety of animals common to 
the locality. In the early progress of the settlement the black 
bear forsook his favorite haunts without thought of contest or 
show of resistance. A coward both by instinct and habit he 
fled at the approach of man. But every solitarj^ bear that 
since has made a hasty circuit of the town has lived in peren- 
nial tradition and has immortalized every man or woman who 
chanced to behold the fugitive presence. Ver}^ few of the 
early settlers ever beheld the countenance of a living bear. 
Habitually his face was directed the other way and his eye 
was ever resting on some distant point he desired to visit. 
The wolf in early times was more numerous and troublesome. 
Fifty years ago they had not entirely disappeared. 

Traces of beaver dams are not yet wholly obliterated but 
the builders abruptly refused to labor in competition with 
man. The track of the otter is yet seen occasionally in the 
new fallen snow and the mink still inhabits along the courses of 
the streams. Muskrats with little fear of man continue to 
build their round moundlike houses in the shallow water of 
the ponds. Foxes, fed by the ii:arbage of civilization, and the 
woodchuck, partial to the succulent vegetation of cultivated 
fields, are probably as numerous as at any former period. 
The several varieties of squirrels, the hare and the coney 
rabbit, while limited in the area of their possessions, are rel- 
atively numerous. Occasionally the sleepy porcupine is 
found in liis (juiet home in a hollow tree and the raccoon visits 



124 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

the fields of ripening corn from year to year in unequal 
numbers. 

The l)irds found here are such as are common to the latitude, 
and other conditions of the town. The melodies that greeted 
the morning light in the solitudes of the original forests are 
our delight at the present time. The thrush and the sparrow, 
first to confide in the mercy of men and nest near the hamlets 
of the clearing, if not as numerous as formerly, are still the 
welcome visitors of the summer-time. The red-headed wood- 
pecker, whose animated rappings broke the stillness of the 
forest, was frequently seen in former years but is now 
extinct, while the imported sparrow has found its way hither 
from the seal)oard. The wild goose, the black and gray duck, 
of migratory habits, visit the ponds in their spring and autumn 
transits. The Avood and dipper duck not unfrequently nest 
here, and can l)e found in their retreats during the summer 
and autumn. The loon or northern diver ( Golymhus gla- 
cialis) during the summer months and early autumn is daily 
seen floating upon the lakes or is heard calling his mate during 
a flight between the })onds. They frequently nest upon the 
islands in Upper Naukeag. The wild pigeon is less abundant 
than formerly, while the sonorous whistle of the quail ( Ortyx 
virginianus) is sometimes heard, l)ut this bird seldom nests 
in this latitude. Partridges {Tetrasumbellus, or the Bonasa 
umbellus of Linnjeus) are abundant, and the loud whirring 
sound of their wings, as they l)urst away at the approach of 
visitors to their haunts, and their animated drunnning in the 
forest continue to attest their familiar presence. 

The lakes, reservoirs and rivulets of this town abound in 
fish peculiar to the waters of this vicinity. So far as known, 
none of the natives of these waters have become extinct. 
The black bass, land-locked salmon and lake trout are of 
recent and artificial introduction. The brook, or spotted 



INTRODUCTION. 25 

trout, fond of shade and cool water, have been disturbed in 
their favorite haunts by the removal of the forests, and are 
less numerous than formerly. The name and the charac- 
teristics of the habitants of the lakes and brooks of this town 
are femiliar to all, yet the following list may be of interest at 
some future time : 

The i)ickerel (JEsox reticulatus) ; brook trout (Salmo 
fontinalis) ; perch {Perca Jlavescens) ; shiner {Stilbe chry- 
solencas) ; bream or sunfish {Pomotis vulgaris) ; chub or 
cheven (Leuciscus chephalus) ; black sucker (Catostomus) ; 
chub sucker, another of the same genus ; the minnow, or 
minum, a very small fish, and a specie of Leuciscus; cat fish 
or horned pout {Pimelodus catus). The common eel (An- 
guilla tenui7'ostris), and the lamprey eel, a specie of the 
Petromyzon, although rare, are sometimes taken from the 
ponds. 

The most prominent elevation is Great Watatic, Its 
rounded summit is one thousand eight hundred and forty- 
seven feet above tide water. This grand and lofty tower on 
the line of the water-shed, is symmetrical in its form and 
imposing in its presence, and with grim visage it overlooks 
the hamlets in the northeast part of the town. In a right 
line and a mile nearer the old common, is Little Watatic, of 
similar form and softened outlines. An earlier orthography 
of these mountains, was Wautatuck. Blood hill, south of 
Great Watatic, and on the line of Ashl)y, in the morning 
light, casts its fretted shadow over the lakes at its l)ase and 
around its crest the rainbow appears in the lingering rain of 
an evening shower. Across the intervening valley at the 
soutii, is the plateau of Russell hill, once heavily wooded, 
and now the seat of i)roductive farms. Jewell hill, near at 
hand, is a sturdy watch-tower on the limits of the town. 

East of Rice pond, suddenly rises the bristling form of 



26 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Mount Hunger. If its name and sterility are suggestive of 
famine, its situation near the lake is a safeo-uard ao-ainst 
thirst. And on the line of the water-shed, is Meeting-house 
hill, which commands an extensive view of the surrounding 
country. Here our fathers literally went up to worship, and 
early called it "a hill with a very fair prospect." Brown 
hill, and the ridges in the northwest part of the town, and 
other elevations, on which are houses and cultivated fields, 
would be styled mountains amid surroundings less grand and 
lofty. 

The altitude of the town, and the l)old and ruirii'ed outlines 
of the landscape, are the elements of scenery unsurpassed in 
beauty and grandeur. These features of nature are a living 
inspiration and enjoyment to all who jnhabit here, and 
treasured among golden memories are the visions of matchless 
sublimity which delighted the childhood and youth of every 
absent son and daughter of Ashburnham. 

"From such a scene, how many feelings spring! 
How many thouglits. flash through the i<indling mind ! 
Delightful dreams have hirth; — we almost seem 
Pass'd to another sphere, — and the glad heart 
Forgets that earth is still its transient home. 
This is a vision for the rest of life, 
An amarantliine tenant for the breast, 
A morning star for mem'ry, which, amid 
Life's fitful clouds, shall radiantly shine forth. 
When scenes less beautiful attract my gaze, 
I shall recall thy quiet loveliness." 



CHAPTER I. 

THE EAKLY GRANTS. 

SKVEN GRANTS OF LAND. THE POLICY OF THE GENERAL COURT. — AN ERA 

OF GRANTS. THE STARR GRANT. OWNED BY GREEN, WILDER AND 

JOSLIN. THE CAMBRIDGE GRANT. THE FIRST SURVEY. THE LEX- 
INGTON GRANT. SALE OF SAME TO THE GERMANS. THE BLUEFIELD 

GRANT. THE EARLY ROAD TO NORTHFIELD. THE GRANT SOLD TO 

WILLIAM JONES AND EPHRAIM WETHERBEE. — THE CONVERSE GRANT. 

SALE TO JOSEPH WILDER. THE ROLFE GRANT. — SALE TO JOHN GREEN- 
WOOD. THE DORCHESTER CANADA OR TOWNSHIP GRANT. THE CANADA 

SOLDIERS. FOUR TOWNS CHARTERED IN ONE ENACTMENT. THE TOWN- 
SHIP SURVEYED. AREA. PERSONAL NOTICES. 

Rome was founded on seven hills. Ashburnliam was 
founded on seven grants of land. To give some account of 
these several grants will be the province of this chapter. 
One hundred and fifty years ago, Massachusetts was rich in 
lands, but poor in treasure. The public treasury was con- 
tinually overdrawn, and in place of money, the unappro- 
priated lands became the currency of the province. Upon 
the wilderness, the. Government made frequent and generous 
drafts in the payment of a great variety of claims and demands 
against the colony. At the time these seven grants of land 
were made, the prolonged controversy concerning the loca- 
tion of the province line l)etween Massachusetts and New 
Hampshire wa.s being vigorously prosecuted. Tt was clearly 
the accepted policy of Massachusetts to fortifv her claim to a 



28 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

large tract of the controverted territory by possession and 
occupancy, in the hope thereby of maintaining a claim to the 
domain after all diplomacy had failed. Thus stimuhited, 
both by necessity and policy, the General Court made 
numerous grants of land in this immediate vicinity, with 
unmistakable alacrity. It was an era of benevolence. Per- 
ceiving the disposition of the (lovernment, many, who could 
only make the smallest pretext of service rendered the colony 
by themselves or their ancestors, were found among the 
petitioners for land. Seldom were their requests denied, 
and even old claims, which had remained unanswered many 
years, were suddenly revived and rewarded with generous 
parcels of the public domain. While this spirit of liberality 
was rife and condescending, the territory within the ancient 
boundaries of this township was severed from the wilderness 
and bestowed in recognition of service rendered the colony. 
Included within the limits of Dorchester C^anada, were 
six earlier grants, which were located and surveyed before 
the bounds of the township had been established. They fell 
within, yet were independent of, the main grant, as will 
appear in the progress of our narrative. In regard to the 
relative dates of these grants, the traditions of the town are 
not in harmony with the facts, and Whitney's History of 
Worcester County, 1793, incorrectly asserts: "To the 
orijjiual grant were afterwards added Lexing-ton farm of one 
thousand acres, Cambridge farm of one thousand acres more, 
and Rolfe's farm of six hundred acres, and another of about 
a thousand acres." Eev. Dr. Cushing, in his Half Century 
Sermon, 1818, repeats the error in nearly the same words: 
"To the original grant, four farms were annexed : Lexing- 
ton Farm, Cambridge Farm each of 1000 acres, Rolfs 
Farm of 7 or 800 acres, and another of 1000." But he 
nearly corrects the statement when he adds, that "these 



THE EARLY GRANTS. 29 

farms were located Avest of Lunenliurg and Townsend, and 
north of Westminster, before this town was <rranted." It 
will ajipear that there were six farms, or irrants of land, and 
that all of them were conveyed and located })revious to the 
grant of Dorchester Canada. In the survey and location of 
the township, these farms were included within its boundaries, 
but were not computed as a part of the thirty-six square 
miles that were conveyed in the grant of the township. 

About 1650, Dr. Thomas Starr accompanied, as surgeon, 
one of the expeditions against the Pequots. This service is 
the earliest event of which we have any knowledge, that is 
immediately associated with the history of Ashburnham, and 
leads directly to the narrative of the first grant of land within 
this town. 

I. The Starr Grant. — On account of this service of 
Dr. Thomas Starr, who died in Charlestown, 1654, his widow, 
four years later, petitioned for a grant of land, as appears in 
Court Records, 1(558 : 

Whereas Mr Thomas Starre deceased having left a desolat 
widdow and eight smale children was y" chirurgeon of one of }'" 
companys 3' went agahist }" Peqnotts in Aus"" to the Request of 
Severall Gentl" on y' behalfe. 

The Court judgeth it raeete to graunt fower hundred acres of 
Land to y*^ sayd widow & children & doe impower y" Tresurer 
and Ca|)t. Norton to make sale or otherwise to dispose of the 
sayd as may best conduce to y'' benefit of the widdow & children 
ns they shall see meete. 

It is certain that this grant was never located and that 
the desolate widow and eight small children did not 
receive any benefit from the kind intentions of the (Jeneral 
(\)urt. Seventy-five years later, the descendants of Dr. 
Starr revived the claim as set forth in Coimcil Kcn-ords, 
October li), 1733 : 



O 



30 HISTORY or ASHBURNHAM. 

A Petition of Benjamin Starr for himself and the rest of the 
heirs & Descendants of the AVidow of Thomas Starr late of 
Charlestown dec'' showing that the General Conrt of the late 
Colony of the Massachusetts Bay in the year 1658 for Service done 
bj' the said Thomas Starr made a Grant of four hundred Acres of 
Land to his said widow «fe Children which has not yet been laid out 
and therefore praying that they may now be allowed to laj' out 
four hundred Acres of the unappropriated Land of the province to 
satisf\' the said Grant. 

In the House of Representatives Read & Ordered that the 
prayer of the petition be granted and the petitioners are allowed 
and impowered by a Surveyor & Chainmen on Oath to Survey 
and lay out four hundred Acres of the unappropriated Lands of 
the province so as not to prejudice the Settlement of a Township 
& that they return a Plat thereof to this Court within twelve 
Months for conflrmation. 

In Council Read & Concurred, 

Consented to 

J. BELCHER. 

Again the petitioners suifered their grant to lapse, and, in 
November, 1734, the General Court with expansive consid- 
eration "ordered that twelve months more be allowed to 
Benjamin Star of New London and other heirs to take and 
return a plat of land." 

Under the provisions of this vote the grant was consum- 
mated and the service of Dr. Starr, after the lapse of nearly 
a century, was rewarded. The survey was made by Joseph 
Wilder and returned under date of May 30, 1735. 

The chainmen in this survey were John Bennett and Joseph 
Wheelock. In the mean time the Cambridge ftirm and the 
Lexington farm, which were granted in 1734, had been sur- 
veyed and contirmed, and the Starr farm, although iirst 
granted, l)ecame the third in the order of survey. The con- 
firmation or a})proval l)y the General (^ourt is under date of 
June 10, 1735: 



THE EARLY GRANTS. 31 

A Plat of four luindred Acres of Land Granted to the heirs of 
the widow Starr laid out by Joseph Wilder Esq'', Surveyor and 
Chainmen on oath, lying on the north side of Narragansett Town 
number two and bounded every other way b}' Province Lands 
beginning at a stake & stones on the aforesaid Narragansett 
Line, ICighty rods west of where the said Line crosses a Branch of 
Lancaster North River that comes out of Wenecheag pond ; thence 
running north 18 deg'' west three hundred & thirty rods to a stake 
and stones ; thence Running west 18 deg"^* South two hundred & 
Eight rods to a stake & stones ; thence Running South 18 deg" 
East three hundred & thirty rods to the aforesaid Narragansett 
Line to a stake & stones ; thence with said line East 18 deg''* 
north two hundred & eight Rods to where it first began. 

In the House of Representatives : Read & Ordered that the 
Plat be accepted and the Lands therein delineated & described 
be and hereby are confirmed to the said Benjamin Star and the 
other heirs and descendants of the widow of Dr. Thomas Star 
deceased their heirs and assigns Respective!}' provided the plat 
exceed not the quantity of four hundred Acres of Land and does not 
Interfere with any former Grant. 

Consented to 

J. BELCHER. 

This tract of land can be easily traced at the present time. 
It lies on the line between Ashl)urnham and- Westminster, 
its southeast corner being on the town line four hundred and 
fourteen rods westerly from the common corner of Ashburn- 
ham, Fitchburg and Westminster. It is a rectangle extend- 
ing three hundred and thirty rods northerly and two hundred 
and eight rods westerly from the point named. Ten rods 
were added to the length and eight rods to the width on 
account of "uneven ground and swag of chain.'' The home- 
stead of John (i. Woodward lies within tiic grant. 

Before the close of the year the heirs sold the grant to 
Thomas Green, a merchant of Boston, for two hundred 



32 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

pounds, which then was about two hundred dollars in silver. 
Six years later Mr. Green sold the whole four hundred acres 
to Joseph Wilder, Jr., who continued the owner alone and in 
company with John Joslin until the time it was sold in small 
lots a number of years later. While Mr. Wilder had posses- 
sion of this land he also owned the Converse grant which 
lies next west, and together they were known as the Wilder 
farm. 

II. The Cambridge Grant. — For many years the Gen- 
eral Court of the colony made it obligatory upon Cambridge, 
Newton and Lexington to maintain the l)ridge spanning 
Charles river between Brighton and Cambridge. This struct- 
ure, called the "Great Bridge," was built in 16G2 and was 
justly considered an achievement of considerable magnitude. 
These towns made frequent requests to be relieved, wholly 
or in })art, from the burden of its support, and finally the 
three towns joined in a petition to the General Court pray- 
ing that "they may be in some measure eased of it or that 
the Court would make them a Grant of Land the better to 
enal)le them to support said charge." The Court, appar- 
ently, was more inclined to give them land, than to oiler or 
suggest any other relief, and with commendable promptness 
voted to each of the three towns one thousand acres of land. 
These grants were made June "I'l, 1784. Newton located 
five hundred and sixty-six acres adjoining Athol and Peters- 
ham and the remaining four hundred and thirty-four acres at 
Berwick, Maine. Cambridge and Lexington located their 
grants within the limits of this town, which for many years 
were familiarly known as Cambridge and Lexington farms. 
The Cambridge grant was surveyed previous to September 
(), of the same year, for at that date Nathan Hey wood made 
oath that in surveying this grant he had enn)loyed his best 
skill and understanding. The location and survey of the 



THE EARLY GRANTS. 33 

grant were confirmed September 13, 1734. This grant was 
the first tract of land severed from the wilderness within 
the township of Ashburnham and was described in the 
records : 

A Plat Containing one thousand acres of the unappropriated 
Land of the Province of the massachusetts Bay Laid out to sat- 
isfy a Grant made by the great and general court in their last 
sessions to the Town of Cambridge to enable them the better to 
keep in Repair their great Bridge over Charles River. Beginning 
at a certain Pillar of Stones erected for the North east Corner in 
the line of Lunenburg [ now Fitchburg ] about three or four 
score rods South from Northfield Road and running South 12 deg 
West on said line of Lunenburg one mile and a half and twenty 
pole with 17 pole allowance for swag of chain and uneven Land 
to a red oak tree marked. Then running West 12 deg North 
on unappropi'iated Land one mile with eleven pole allowance to a 
pillar of stones and a Little beech tree ; the other two lines being 
paralel with the same allowance and bounding on Common land. 

Let it be remembered that in the survey of this grant, in 
the summer of 1734, Nathan Heywood of Lunenburg per- 
formed the first act within the township that is a part of the 
continuous history of this town. Previous events, more im- 
portant in their results, occurred remote from the theatre of 
action. There are records of exploring parties through this 
town, and Great Watatic, Little Watatic,the Naukeag lakes, 
Stoger meadow and Souhegan river were associated names 
at an earlier date. This grant was the first tract of land 
severed from the unbounded wilderness. There is no record 
of any previous act performed on the soil that influenced 
succeeding events. The town of Cambridge owned this tract 
of one thousand acres about thirty years and during this time 
the records of that town contain frequent reference to " the 

Bridge farm in Dorchester Canada." In 1751 the bounds were 
3 



34 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

renewed by direction of the town, and in the succeeding years 
several committees were chosen with instruction to sell the 
land, provided reasonable terms could be secured. These 
measures for several years were void of any result. In 
November, 1764, "the town chose Deacon Samuel "VVhitte- 
more, Thomas Sparhawk, Esq., Joseph Lee, Esq., Captain 
Ebenezer Stedman and Captain Thomas Adams to effect a 
sale " and gave them more peremptory instructions in regard 
to the business. No record of a sale has been found. There 
is, however, ample evidence that the town of Cambridge 
sold the land in several lots previous to 1770. In 1768, 
Captain Thomas Adams owned a portion of the farm and 
sold to his son John Adams one hundred acres of land " being 
a part of Cambridge Grant," and later he sold to Joshua 
Billings eighty acres adjoining. In 1772, the town of Cam- 
bridge enter on record an inventory of notes and money 
" being the proceeds of the sale of Cambridge farm." This 
record includes a note given by Isaac Stearns of Billerica for 
two hundred pounds, dated June 3, 1765 ; a note given by 
Samuel Russell of Cambridge for ninety-four pounds, six 
shillings and eight pence, dated August 4, 1769 ; and a note 
given by Antil Gallop of Cambridge for one hundred and 
thirty-three pounds, six shillings and eight pence, dated 
August 5, 1771. 

No conveyance from the tow^n of Cambridge or its com- 
mittee is found on record, nor is it easy to discover in what 
manner Gallop and Russell disposed of their land. In regard 
to the land owned by Isaac Stearns the records in a more 
accommodating spirit announce that he sold seventy-five 
acres to Samuel Adams in 1769, and one hundred and forty 
acres in 1772 to Simeon Proctor and the same year two 
hundred and fifty acres to Ebenezer Fletcher. In all of 
these deeds the premises are described "as a part of the 
Bridge farm or Cambridge grant." It has been frequently 



THE EARLY GRANTS. 35 

asserted and quite generally believed that this land was once 
the cherished property of Harvard University. An exhaus- 
tive search of the records of that institution not only fails to 
discover any proof of the allegation but finds ample evidence 
that the favorite tradition is unsupported and erroneous. 
In the succeeding chapters the families bearing the name of 
Adams, Russell, Billings and Fletcher, which have been intro- 
duced in these proceedings, will be found in continued occu- 
pancy of the premises. 

III. The Lexington Grant. — It already appears that 
this grant was simultaneous with the Cambridge grant, and 
for the same consideration. The surv^ey was returned under 
date of September 18, and the gi-ant was confirmed November 
21, 1734. Ebenezer Prescott was surveyor and Ephraim 
Wetherbee and Isaac Townsend were chainmen. The report 
of the survey is here given : 

At the Request of Capt. Boman and other Gentlemen of 
Lexington I have laid out pursuant unto a grant of 1000 acres 
for the support of Cambridge Bridge, at Stogers west of Little 
Wetatuck beginning 46 perches S 12 d. west from Lunenburg [now 
Fitehburg] Corner on South west side of Little Wetatuck to a 
heap of stones then running N. W. 29 d. N 320 perches as the 
shanmen [chainmen] say to a Hemlock with stones marked with 
L about 16 p * * off. then turning S. W. 29 W 500 perches to a 
Hemlock then turning S E 29 d S 320 perches to a rock with stones 
laid on it. Then Turning N. E. 29^ d. E 175 perches to the line 
of Cambridge's 1000 acres. Then turning North 10 perches by 
the line of said Cambridge corner and then turning by Cambridge 
Line 40 perches and then to the bounds fir.->t mentioned N E 29*^ 
E. One perch allowance in 50 for swag of chain. 

It will be seen that the northwest corner of Cambridge 
farm enters one side of this grant, cutting from it one and 
one-fourth acres. Accompanying the survey is a map defin- 
ing the location of the brooks and of two meadows. Within 



36 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

the outlines of the larger of these is written " Stogers medow," 
which clothes this name with considerable antiquity. On 
this map, Ward pond is re})resented a short distance north 
of the grant, but no name is applied to it. The brook flow- 
ing from it is styled Souhegen in one place and Sougan in 
another. The town of Lexington received no benefit from 
the grant for more than twenty years, when the town voted 
"to sell the Bridge farm, so called, that lies in Dorchester 
Canada, and choose William Reed, Ebenezer Fiske and John 
Stone to conduct the sale." In a deed dated December 31, 
1757, the whole tract was sold to seven German emigrants 
for two hundred and eighty pounds, who, with others of the 
same nationality, immediately settled upon their new posses- 
sions. The origin of the name of Dutch farms is here easily 
discovered. 

IV. The Bluefield Grant. — This grant of four 
hundred and fifty acres was made to secure the maintenance 
of a house of entertainment upon the line of the Northfield 
road, which was laid out through this town previous to the 
charter of Dorchester Canada. This grant was located in 
the northwest part of the town, and upon both sides of that 
ancient road. In what manner the name of Bluefield became 
associated with this grant, is uncertain. The earliest records 
refer to the Bluefield farm and to the Bluefield road, but 
attentive research finds no explanation of this use of the word. 
Tradition, ever ready with suggestions, asserts, but without 
proof, that Mr. Bluefield lived here once upon a time, 
but the only indisputable thing that we can assert about 
Bluefield, is our complete ignorance concerning its origin. 
Happily, the history of the grant is less obscure than its 
name. To several prominent citizens of Lunenburg had 
been granted large tracts of land in the southwest part of 
New Hampshire, above Northfield. These gentlemen mani- 



THE EARLY GRANTS. 37 

fested a lively interest in the construction and maintenance 
of the "great road from Lunenburg to Northfield and the 
new towns at Ashuelot." In the autumn of 1734, Benjamin 
Bellows, Hilkiah Boynton and Moses Willard joined in a 
petition for a grant of land to be located at some convenient 
point on the line of the road. The petition sets forth that 
the entire length of the road is forty-two miles, and that 
about twenty-four miles from Lunenburg there is a " house 
of entertainment set up to the great ease and comfort of 
persons travelling that road," and continues: "and your 
Petitioners apprehending it would greatl}^ accomodate Travel- 
lers more especially in Winter seasons to have another House 
of Entertainment between Lunenburg and that already set 
up Humbly petition your Excellency and this Hon'''*' Court 
to make them a Grant of Land, in some suitable place if it 
be found on said Road, of four hundred and fifty acres of 
land."' In answer to this petition, the General Court, Novem- 
ber 28, 1734, granted four hundred and fifty acres on the 
line of the road and "near to Lexington Farm." It was 
stipulated in the grant that the survey should be made and 
returned within six months. The survey was not made until 
July 2, 1735, for the reasons set forth in another petition 
from the same gentlemen : 

The Petition of Benjamin Bellows for himself Hilkiah Boyn- 
ton and Moses Willard : — 

Humbly Shevveth, 

That ou the 28th Day of November 1734 your Exelency and 
Honours were pleased to Grant your Petitioners four Hundred and 
fifty Acres of Land To be Layed out in a reguler form on the new- 
Road from Lunenburg to Northfield within six months from y" 
grant aforcs'^ On the Conditions mentioned and Expressed in the 
Grant and order of Court. 

That your Petitioners Soon after the making of said Grant were 
about to Lay out the Land granted Accordingly ; And upon the 



38 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

said Road as then marked out viewed a Tract for that purpose 
but were toM by Coll. Willard and others Concerned in Said Road 
That it would be necessary to alter the Same and if we Should Lay 
out the Land before the Road was Altered it might not answer the 
end proposed viz. the entertainment of Travaillers &c. which 
occassioned Your Petitioners to Delay Laying out and Building on 
said Land Till the Time Given your Petitioners was Elapsed. 
Since Which Your Petitioners by the Advice and the Desire of 
Col'- Willard and Others Chiefly concerned in said Road have 
Layed Out the Said Tract as Discribed in the plat herewith pre- 
sented and built thereon a Good Dwelling House And furnished 
the Same for y'' Entertainment of Travailers, Cleared a consider- 
able Quantit}' of Laud and Got Hay Sufficient for the Accomoda- 
tion of all Travailers using Said Road and have Inhabited for 
more Than Six months Last past. 

And Inasmuch as the only Reason of your Petitioners neglect- 
ing to Lay out and comply with the Conditions of said Grant was 
That the Good Ends proposed thereby might not be frustrated 
and Travaillers y" better accomodated. 

Therefore Your Petitioners Most Humbly pray your Exelency 
& Honours would be pleased to accept the said plat and Confirm 
the Land therein discribed To your petitioners their heirs & assigns 
forever. On Condition they perform upon the Same within Twelve 
months next coming All Things enjoyned them in the Conditions 
of y'' Grant afores'^ they have omitted ; The Time being Elapsed 
as afores'^ notwithstanding. 

And Your Petitioners as bound in Duty shall ever pray. 

BENJAMIN BELLOWS. 

Tis hereby certifyed that what is Above Suggested Respecting 

the Turning the Road and the Petitioners building and Improving 

upon the Land is true. 

JOSIAH WILLARD. 

The date of this petition does not appear but it was written 
between July 2, 1735, the date of the survey, and January 
17, 1736-7, when the General Court confirmed the grant. 



THE EAllLY GRANTS. 39 

With the original papers in the State archives on this subject 
is the report of David Farrar, the surveyor, in which it is 
stated that the grant is located on the Northfield road, partly 
on the fifteenth and partly on the sixteenth miles from Lunen- 
burg, that it was laid out in the form of a rectangle two hun- 
dred and eighty-four by two hundred and seventy rods, with 
about one rod in thirty allowance for uneven ground ; that 
the direction of the southern boundary is north 70° east, two 
hundred and eighty-four rods ; and is bounded on all sides by 
unappropriated land. It is also stated that the southwest 
corner is forty or fifty rods south of a brook and meadow. 
On the plan is represented the Northfield road entering the 
grant ten rods north of the southeast corner and extending 
north 47° west, until it leaves it near the centre of the north- 
ern side. In the easterly part of this grant is the farm of the 
late Deacon Daniel Jones and in the western part is the No. 
7 school-house. In 1737, the grantees sold the whole tract to 
William Jones and Ephraim Wetherbee, both of Lunenburg, 
for ninety pounds. The same year Mr. Wetherbee sold his 
interest to Ephraim Wheeler of Lancaster. In these ancient 
deeds it is called the Bellows farm and the name of Bluefield 
does not appear. William Jones died in 1761. In his will 
his interest in this land is devised to two of his sons, Enos 
and Isaac. The latter son died soon after the death of his 
honored father and the heirs, in 1773, joined in a deed con- 
veying their interest to Enos who was then residing on the 
premises. 

V. The Converse Grant. — Several grants of land 
were bestowed upon the heirs of Major James Converse of 
Woburn in recognition of distinguished service rendered the 
colony, among them was a grant of four hundred acres of land 
located in this town. In the House of Representatives, 
December 9, 1734, it was ordered that the petition of Robert 



40 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

and Josiah Converse, sons of Major James Converse, be 
revived and that they be granted four hundred acres on the 
condition that "within five years the petitioners settle two 
families on the granted premises, each of which to have an 
house of eighteen feet square and seven feet stud at the least 
and four acres each brought to and plowed or stocked with 
English grass and fitted for mowing." The land ,was surveyed 
by Joseph Wilder in May and the title confirmed by the Gen- 
eral Court June 10, 1735. The descriptive portion of these 
papers is as follows : 

Said laud lieth on the northerly side of one of the towns called 
Narraganselt viz : No. 2 and bounds Southerly thereon. Easterly 
it bounds on a farm of four hundred acres laid out to the heirs of 
Thomas Starr, Northerly and Westerly b}' common or province 
lands. It began at stake and stones the South Corner of the 
aforesaid farm and from thence it ran with it North 18 degrees 
West three hundred and thirty Rods to a stake and stones ; from 
thence it ran west 18 degrees South Two hundred and Eight rods 
to a stake and stones ; and from thence it ran South Eighteen 
degrees East three hundred and thirty Rods to the aforesaid Nar- 
ragansett line to a stake and stones and then with said line East 
18 degrees North two hundred and eight rods to where it began. 

In other terms this grant was located on the Westminster 
line extending west from the Starr grant nearly to South 
Ashburnham village. Robert Converse immediately sold his 
interest to his brother Josiah, Avho sold it to Gershom Keyes 
of Boston, October 10, 1735, for one hundred and fifty 
pounds. It passes through several hands and is soon sold to 
Hezekiah Gates, who in 1746 sold it to Joseph Wilder, Jr., 
and as stated it then became a part of the Wilder farm. 

yi. The Rolfe Gkaxt. — Rev. Benjamin Rolfe, the 
second minister of Haverhill, was slain by the Indians in 
their attack upon that town August 29, 1708. His wife and 



THE EARLY GRANTS. 41 

one child were also killed. "Two daughters were preserved 
by Hagar, the maid servant, who covered them with tubs in 
the cellar. " A son also escaped as appears in the records of 
this gi-ant. The surviving children are petitioners in 1735 
for a tract of land on account of the service of their father 
and were granted six hundred acres which subsequently 
became and still remains an important part of this town. 
The records of the General Court recites the petition in these 
words : 

A Petition of Benjamin Rolfe and the Rest of the heirs of the 
Rev*! M'' Benjamin Rolfe^ late of Haverhill deceased, show- 
ing that his said father was employed clivers times as Chap- 
lin to the Forces in the late wars and once in an actual 
Engagement with the Indian Enemy and afterwards settled in 
the work of the Ministry at Haverhill where he with their 
mother was killed by the Indians and therefore praying that this 
Court would Grant to the Pef and his sisters some of the 
waste lands of the Province. 

In response to their petition the General Court June 17, 
■1735, granted six hundred acres. The land was surveyed 
by Joseph Wilder, previous to November 7, when the chain- 
men, John Bennett and Joseph Wheelock, made oath that 
they had performed the service "without favor or atfection 
and according to their best judgment." The grant was 
confirmed December 23, 1735. 

This tract of land, known many years as the Rolfe farm, 
is located in the southeast corner of this town between the 
Starr and the Cambridge grants. It is bounded east 120 
rods by Fitchburg, south 414 rods by Westminster, west 
330 rods by the Starr grant, and northerly 320 rods by 
Cambridge grant and a line of 210 rods joining the corners 
of the two last named grants. Phillips' Brook and the Fitch- 
burg road divide this tract into two unequal portions, the 



42 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

greater part lying east of them. Northerly it extends one 
mile from the Westminster line or to the farm of the late 
Dr. Merrick Wallace. The Rolfe heirs retained the grant 
until 1750 when it was sold to John Greenwood of Boston 
for two hundred and thirty pounds. He sold it out in the 
years immediately following in several lots, and in this way 
it came into the possession of the early settlers. 

VII. The Dorchester C ax ad a or Township Grant. 
— The immediate consideration leading to the grant of this 
township and others in the vicinity, is found in connection 
with the expedition to Canada in 1690. The story of this 
ill-fated exploit forms an interesting chapter in the early his- 
tory of New England. The hardships and misfortunes of 
the hazardous enterprise were shared by companies of sol- 
diers from Dorchester, Ipswich, Rowley and many other 
towns in the colony. In fitting out a force of two thousand 
soldiers and thirty-two ships the treasury of the colony was 
so greatly depleted that nothing was left for the payment of 
the soldiers on their return. In this emergency the colony 
resorted to the issue of treasury notes to the amount of one 
hundred and thirty-three thousand pounds which was the 
first paper money ever issued in New England. The.se notes, 
founded simply on the good intentions of an impoverished 
colony, so rapidly depreciated in value that the soldiers, to 
whom they had been paid, sought indemnity from the Gen- 
eral Court. For a long time their solicitations were persis- 
tently pressed and renewed without avail until an era of 
grants of land came to their relief. About 1735, after many 
of the petitioners were dead, the General Court, influenced, 
possibly, as much by a newly formed policy of encouraging 
settlements along the line of the disputed boundaries between 
New Hampshire and Massachusetts, as l)y any other consid- 
eration, granted a township to each company of sixty soldiers 



THE EARLY GRANTS. 43 

and the heirs of those deceased. On account of the service 
for which they were bestowed these grants were styled 
Canada townships and they generally received the additional 
name of the town in which a majority of the petitioners 
resided. To the soldiers from Dorchester were assigned 
this town which bore the name of Dorchester Canada many 
years. In the same manner and at the same time was 
granted Ipswich Canada, now Winchendon, and immediately 
after Rowley Canada, now Rindge. There were many other 
Canada town.ships but not in this immediate vicinity. The 
adjustment of the province line found several of these town- 
ships in New Hampshire and their charters were annulled. 

In January, 1735, the General Court, premonitory to some 
action in the premises, ordered the appointment' of a com- 
mittee to take into consideration these petitions of the soldiers 
and "report what may be proper for the Court to do." The 
day following, the committee cleared the deck for action in 
recommending that a townshi}) of six miles square be gTanted 
to every collection of sixty soldiers or the heirs of those 
deceased and that these grants be located between the Merri- 
mack and Connecticut rivers. The committee further recom- 
mended that these grants be given under certain restrictions, 
which need not be stated in this connection, as they are 
repeated in the charters that were subsequently enacted. 
Without gTeat delay, four townships were gi'anted under one 
charter which passed the House June 10, the Council June 
18, and was approved hy Governor Belcher, December 29, 
1735. In the order named in the charter these towns are 
now known as Warwick, Ashburnham, Guilford, Vermont, 
and AV'inchendon, and all of them are of equal age. Should 
the neighboring towns, Ashburnham and Winchendon, con- 
tend for the honors of antiquity, we can enjoy the ample 
consolation that in the charter, the name of Tilestone precedes 
that of Tilton. 



44 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

It would be easy to be led into the error of presuming that 
each of these towns was created under a specific grant, for 
the Deputy Secretary made copies for the grantees of each 
town. In some of them, at least, is omitted all reference to 
the three remaining towns. These copies have been mis- 
taken for independent charters. The quadripartite grant or 
charter is here given : 

In the House of Representatives June 10, 1735. 

In Answer to the four Petitions of Samuel Newel and others, 
Thomas Tilestoue and others, Samuel Gallop and others, and 
Abraham Tilton and others : 

Voted, That four Several Tracts of Land for Townships each of 
the Contents of Six Miles Square be Laid out in Suitable Places 
in the western Parts of this Province and that the whole of each 
Town be laid out into Sixty three equal Shares, one of which to 
be for the first Settled minister, one to be for the use of the Minis- 
try and one for the School ; and that on the other Sixty Shares in 
each Town there be Sixty Settlers admitted and in the admission 
thereof Preference to be given to the Petitioners and such as are 
Descendents of the officers and soulders who Served in the Expe- 
dition to Canada in the year 1690. Viz one Tract of Land for a 
Township to the said Samuel Newell & others, one other Tract of 
Land to the said Thomas Tilestone and others, one other Tract of 
Land to the said Samuel Gallop and others and the other Tract of 
Land to the said Abraham Tilton and others and in Case there be 
not a sufficient number of Persons named in each of the said four 
Petitions as ware either officers or Soulders in the said Expedition 
or the Descendants of Such as were lost or are since Deceased So 
as to make Sixty Settlers for each Town. That then Such others 
as ware in the Expedition or their Descendants be admitted Set- 
tlers there untell Sixty Persons in each Town be admitted and 
inasmucli as theofficei's and Soulders in that Expedition ware very 
great Sufferers and underwent uncommon Hardships, Voted that 
this Province be at the Sole Charge of laying out the said four 



THE EARLY GRANTS. 45 

Townships in a Regular manner and of admitting the Settlers. — 
That the Settlers or Grantees be and hereby are obliged to bring 
forward the Settlement of the said four Townships in as Regular & 
defensible a manner as the Situation and the Circumstances of the 
Places will admit of, and that in the following manner, Viz. That 
they be on the Granted Premises Respectively and have each of 
them an House of eighteen Feet square and seven Feet stud at the 
least. That each Right or Grant have six Acres of Land brought 
to and Plowed or brought to English Grass and fitted for mowing. 
That they respectivel}^ Settle in each Plantation or Township a 
Learned and Orthodox minister and Bild a Convenient Meeting 
House for the Publick Worship of God in each Township. The 
whole of these Conditions to be duly complied with within five 
years from the Confirmation of the Plats. 

And that John Bowles and John Metcalf Esq" with such as the 
Honourable Board shall appoint be the Committee for laying out 
the Township hereby Granted to Samuel Newell and others ; 
Thomas Tilestone Esq"" and M'' William Royall with such as the 
Honourable Board shall appoint shall be the Committee for 
laying out the Township hereby granted to Thomas Tilestone & 
others ; Charles Cburch and Joseph Mason Esq"^' with such as the 
Honourable Board shall appoint be the Committee for laying cut 
the Township hereby granted to Samuel Gallop and others ; and 
Cap* John Hobson and Cap' John Choate with such as the 
Honoura^^*" Board shall appoint be the Committee for Laying out 
the Township hereby granted to Abraham Tilton & others, for 
laying out the Townships Respectively & admitting the Settlers 
as aforesaid who shall take Bond of each Gx'antee to the Value of 
Twenty Pounds to the Province Treasurer for the Respective 
Grantees Fullfillment of the Conditions of their Grants each lot as 
aforesaid to be entitled to and draw future Divisions in equal 
Proportions in the Townships or Plantations Respectively and that 
the Committee return the Plats of the said Townships to this 
Court within twelve months for Confirmation, as also a List of the 
Names of the Respective Grantees and their Place of Residence 
into the Secretarys Office that so the same may be examined and 



46 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Regulated by a Committee that may be hereafter for that Purpose 

appointed by the Court and further it is ordered that in case any 

of the Grantees shall neglect or delay to fullfiU the Terms of this 

Grant such Person or Persons shall forfeit to the Province all his 

or their Right and Interest in the land hereby granted. 

Sent up for Concurrence 

J. QUIKCY, Spkr. 

In Council June 18 1735 : — 

Read & Concurred, and ordered that William Dudley Esq'' be 
joyned to the Committee for laying out the first Township, Joseph 
Wilder Esq'' for the second, Edward Goddard Esq' for the third 
and Thomas Berry Esq'" for the fourth Township. 

J. WILLARD Sec'^ 

December 29 Consented to J. BELCHER. 

Immediately following the grant of these townships the 
General Com-t instructed the several committees charged with 
the distribution of the land to give " preference to the eldest 
male heir if such there be otherwise to the eldest female" 
and that the heir of any soldier deceased receiving a right or 
one-sixtieth part of a township, "shall pay the other descend- 
ants or heirs of the deceased soldier their proportionable part 
of ten pounds." These committees were further instructed 
to exercise "the Best Care they Can in Examining and Reg- 
ulating the Claims of all Persons that shall appear as Heirs, 
Descendants or Representatives to make and keepe fidr Lists 
of the names and Places of Residence of the Respective Gran 
tees or Settlers of the said Towns in order to prevent Mistakes 
in settleing and Regulating the Claims and admission of the 
Grantees." At the same time it was ordered that if the 
expense of surveying and admitting settlers exceed fifty 
pounds the excess should be paid by the grantees. The for- 
mer vote to pay the whole expense had been in consideration 
that "the ofiicers and soldiers in that expedition ware revy 



THE EARLY GRANTS. 47 

great sufferers and underwent uncommon Hardships." In 
the amended vote it is made reasonably certain that their esti- 
mate of the great suffering and uncommon hardship of every 
sixty soldiers and the heirs of those deceased did not exceed,' 
when expressed in financial terms, the sum of fifty pounds. 

Under the direction of the committee consisting of Joseph 
Wilder, Thomas Tilestone and William Koyal, the township 
of Dorchester Canada was promptly surveyed by Jonas 
Houghton. The report of the survey dated January, 1736, 
the day of the month omitted, is substantially repeated in the 
act of confirmation which was passed June 1, 1730. 

A Plat of a Tract of Six miles Square Granted to Thomas 
Tilestone Esq & others for a Township laid out by Jonas Hough- 
ton Survey' and Chaininen on oath, Bounding Southerly on the 
NaiTagansett Township No two ; Westerly hy a Township laid 
out for Tilton & others Northerly by a Township laid out for 
Ipswich and Easterly part on Towushend and part on Lunenburg. 
It begins at a Hemlock the North Easterly Corner of the said 
Narragansett Town & Runs West 18 deg. South seven Miles 
wanting tweut}' Rods from thence North 12 deg East Eight miles 
& two hundred Rods, and from East 12 deg South Seven miles 
and 100 perch from thence Southerly by said Townshend line One 
thousand One hundred & twenty & by Lunenburg line Six hun- 
dred & twenty Rods to where it first began. 

In the House of Represent" : Read and Ordered that the 
within plat be and hereby is accepted and the Lands therein Delin- 
eated & Described are accordingly Confirmed to the Grantees 
Mentioned in the Petition of Thomas Tilestone Esq'' and others 
in behalf of the officers and Soldiers in the Canada Expedition 
Anno 1690 which passed this Court in their late Sittings and to 
their heirs and assigns and LawfuU Represent"" Respectively for- 
ever : they Complying with the Conditions of the Grant. Pro- 
vided the Plat exceeds not the quantity of Six Miles Square with 
an addition of Three Thousand Eight hundred and Fifty Acre 



48 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

formerly Granted and contained in the plat and three hundred 
acres allowed for Ponds and does not Interfere with any former 
Grant. 

In Council Read & Concurred 

Consented to J. BELCHER. 

Our new township now assumes the name of Dorchester 
Canada, which it retains until the incorporation of Ashburn- 
ham in 1765. As yet it is merely a defined portion of the 
wilderness. The rudest habitation of man has nowhere a 
place in the unbroken forest. The echoes from the bustle 
and activity of civilization have never answered back from 
the surrounding hills nor floated over the lakes. But now 
the compass and the chain, the heralds of the approach of 
man, hem the forests within the pale of the axe and the torch 
and the greed of gain fastens its despoiling hands upon the 
hills and the valleys which for centuries have been sleeping 
in the beauty and quietude of nature. 

The influences which guided the committee to this locality 
can never be fully known. The assignment of any reason, 
at this late day, is speculative. If they came by the way of 
Lunenburg this was the lirst unappropriated land they had 
found. It is a fact, also, that one of the committee was not 
a stranger to the place. The summer preceding Joseph 
Wilder had been here as the surveyor of the Starr, the 
Converse and the Rolfe grants. 

The attentive reader has observed that in the act of conflr- 
mation, Dorchester Canada is bounded on all sides by town- 
ship lines. A literal construction of the terms employed 
would lead to the conclusion that the committee here found 
a tract of imappropriated land entirely surrounded by estab- 
lished towns, with an area so accommodating that an exact 
equivalent to six miles square was conveniently left for their 



THE EARLY GRANTS. 49 

acceptance. The terms cleiining the western and northern 
boundaries need explanation. At this time Tilton's town or 
Ipswich Canada had not been surveyed, but it is within rea- 
son to infer there was an understanding between the two 
committees that Ipswich Canada was to be located next west 
of Dorchester Canada. In fact, Ipswich Canada was not laid 
out until the summer following. New Ipswich bounding on 
the north had not been surveyed at this time, but it was 
located before Dorchester Canada was confirmed. The south 
and the east boundaries were already established and now the 
surveyor runs the west line parallel to the old Lunenburg 
line and the north line at a rio:ht ano;le and locates them so as 
to include the required area. 

The allowance of 3850 acres for former grants and 300 acres 
for ponds required the surveyor to lay out 27,190 acres instead 
of 23,040 stipulated in the charter. The survey contained 
about 27,700 acres which was not an unusual allowance for 
uneven ground. 

In this account of the several grants an attempt has been 
made to discover where each was located and for what con- 
sideration it was bestowed. An outline sketch, at the close 
of this chapter, presents a summary view of the form and 
relative position of the township and the six smaller and earlier 
grants which were included within its boundaries. The lapse 
of time will add interest to these initial features of our local 
history. In these early grants, extending wider and wider 
from the centres of population, ncAV fields were dedicated to 
the occupancy of man. To this portion of the wilderness 
which has now been located and outlined the succeeding 
chapters will welcome the arrival of the settlers, and attend 
them while they fell the forest, l)uild houses for their 
families, establish churches and schools and wisely direct the 
civil affairs of the new settlement. 
4 



50 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Many of the persons niinied in this chapter will appear 
again. Unless incidentally mentioned the names of others 
associated with these events will not be repeated in the fol- 
lowing chapters. Ebenezer Prescott, Jonas Houghton and 
David Farrar, the sm-veyors, were residents of Lancaster. 
Jonas Houghton was also employed in the original survey of 
New Ipswich. Ephraim Wetherbee and Hilkiah Boynton 
were of Lunenburg. Ephraim Wetherbee was chainman for 
Nathan Hey wood in the tirst survey of Rindge. Colonel 
Josiah and Moses Willard were leading men in Lunenburg 
at the date of their mention in this chapter. They were 
among the grantees of Winchester, New Hampshire, and 
became prominent in the annals of Cheshire county. Their 
only interest in this town was in connection with the North- 
field road which extended through the township and opened 
a way to their lands in New Hampshire. 

Colgnel Benjamin Bellows was also of Lunenburg at this 
date. Sul)sequently he removed to Walpole, New Hamp- 
shire, which for a time was called Bellowstown. Combined 
with a remarkable business capacity were energy and deci- 
sion of character. It was his son Benjamin mIio was a 
general in the Revolution and through a long and useful life 
distinguished in civil affairs. 

Major James Converse was of Woburn where he closed an 
active and eventful life July 8, 170G. He was a member of 
the General Court and three times elected speaker of the 
House. In military affairs he was equally distinguished and 
his gallant defence of Storer's garrison in 1688 is mentioned 
in complimentary terms in the histories of the time. His 
sons, Robert and Josiah, to whom the land in this town was 
granted on account of the service of their father, were influ- 
ential citizens of Woburn, although for a short time Josiah 
is found residino- in Leicester. 



THE EARLY GRANTS 




A B — Ipswich Canada Line — South part now in Gardner. 
B C — New Ipswich Line — now New Ipswich and Rindge. 
CD — Old Townseud Line — now in Asliby. 
D E — Old Lunenburg Line — now Fitchburg. 
A E — Westminster Line — West part now in Gardner. 
I — Starr Grant. 
II — Cambridge Grant. 

III — Lexington Grant. 

IV — Bluefield Grant. 
V — Converse Grant. 

VI — Rolf e Grant. 
VII — Dorchester Canada. 



CHAPTER II. 

PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 

THE TOWNSHIP AWARDED TO SIXTY PERSONS. THEIR INFLUENCE OVER THE 

SETTLEMENT. PROCEEDINGS OF THE FIRST MEETING. CHANGES IN MEM- 
BERSHIP OF THE PROPRIETORS. HOUSE LOTS SURVEYED. SITE FOR 

MEETING-HOUSE SELECTED. SAW-MILL PROPOSED. SECOND DISTRIBU- 
TION OF LAND. A FULLING-MILL SUGGESTED. — THE FIRST MEETING-HOUSE. 

WAR WITH HEZEKIAH GATES. THE PROVINCE LINE. MOSSMAN'S INN. 

FEAR OF INDIANS. BLOCK-HOUSE BUILT. THE SETTLEMENT TEMPO- 
RARILY ABANDONED. THE SITUATION. CHANGES IN MEMBERSHIP OF 

THE PROPRIETORS. PERSONAL NOTICES. MOSSMAN's PETITION. 

Dorchester Canada now falls into the possession of its 
new proprietors. Three shares or rights are reserved for 
public uses, and sixty are bestowed upon the persons con- 
templated by the charter. Thus each person to whom is 
allotted a right becomes the owner of one sixty-third part of 
the township. The committee promptly completed the ser- 
vice enjoined in the charter by naming the persons who were 
entitled to a share in the grant. Fifty-four rights were 
bestowed on account of service under Captain John Withing- 
ton of Dorchester, and six to the soldiers, or their legal rep- 
resentatives, in other companies. Fortunately the report of 
this committee has been preserved. It presents a sad record 
of mortality. Only one soldier, Philip Godding, comes for- 
ward and receives in person this late reward for service to the 
colony. It is certain, however, that a few others, repre- 

52 



PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 53 

sented on this occasion by their relatives, were still living. 
The sixty rights in the township were assigned as follows : 

1 — Thomas Wilder of Lancaster in Right of His wife Susannah 

eldest Daughter to John Pope. 

2 — John Swift Jun'' of Framingham in the Right of His Father 

M"' John Swift eldest Brother to WilUam Swift. 

3 — Joseph Warren of Roxbury in the Right of Elias Monk of 

Stoughton. 

4 — Benjamin Cheney of Dorchester in the Right of his Brother 

William Cheney. 

5 — Joseph Tiiscott of Dorchester in the Right of His Father 

Joseph Triseott. 

6 — Humphrey Atherton of Stoughton in the Right of His Father 

Consider Atherton. 

7 — Jonathan Chandler of Dorchester in the Right of His Brother 

Samuel Chandler. 

8 — Matathias Evens of Dorchester in the Right of His Brother 

Richard Evens at the Desire of his Eldest Brother Thomas 
J^vens. 

9 — John Toalmau Jun'' in the Right of His Father John Toal- 

man of Dorchester and at His Desire. 
10 — Seth Sumner of Milton in the Right of His Uncle Josianiah 

Sumner at the Desire of His uncle William Sumner. 
11 — John Robinson Jun'' of Dorchester in Behalf of his Father 

John Robinson eldest Brother to James Robinson. 

12 — Ebenezer Ci-ane of Braintree in the Right of Ebenezer 

Crane. 

13 — William Blake of Milton in the Right of James Morey in 

Behalf of his Mother Martha Blake eldest Daughter to 
said James Morey. 

14 — John Andrews of Dorchester in the Right of His Brother 

Thomas Andrews. 

15 — Joseph Leads of Dorchester in Behalf of His Wife Mary 

eldest Sister to Joseph Weeks. 

16 —Thomas Lyon Juii"- of Dorchester in Behalf of His Father 

Thomas Lyon Eldest Brother to Henry Lyon. 



54 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

17 — Richard Withington of Dorchester in the Right of His 

Father Capt John Withington. 

18 — Joseph "Weeks of Dorchester in the Right of His Brother 

Thomas Weeks. 
19 — M'" William Cooper of Boston in the Right of Benjamin 
Hewins, at the Desire of Joseph Hewins eldest Brother 
of said Benjamin Hewins. 

20 — Obadiah Swift of Dorchester in the Right of His Brother 

James Swift. 

21 — Hezekiah Barber of Dorchester in the Right of Yonnite 

Modsley at the Desire of His Brother Thomas Modsley. 

22 —Ralph Pope of Dorchester in the Right of His Brother 

Ebenezer Pope. 

23 — Samnel Butt of Dorchester in the Right of His Uncle 

Richard But. 

24 — David Joans of Wrentham in the Right of His Uncle John 

Joans. 

25 — Samuel Sumner of Taunton in the Right of His Father 

Samuel Sumner. 

26 — Josiah Baker of Boston in the Right of His Uncle William 

Baker. 

27 — Mr. William Cooper of Boston in the Right of His Uncle 

George Menott. 

28 — Edward Kelton of Dorchester in the Right of His Father 

Thomas Kelton. 

29 — Robert Redman of Stoughton in the Right of His Father 

Charles Redman. 

30 — Samuel Kneeland of Boston in the Right of Ammiel Weeks 

at the Desire of His son George Weeks. 
31 — Nearaiah Clap of Milton in the Right of His Brother 
Edward Clap. 

32 — Timothy Tilestone of Dorchester in the Right of His 

Brother Cornelius Tilestone. 

33 — Samuel Hinshua of Milten in the Right of Daniel Hinshua 

His Uncles son. 



PROPRIETAUY HISTORY. 55 

34 — Edward Sumner of Eoxbury in the Right of His Uncle 

Samuel Sumner. 
35 — Benjamin Sumner of Milten in the Right of His Brother 

William Sumner. 

36 — Robert Cook of Needham in the Right of His Brother 

William Cook. 

37 — Bartholame Gold of Boston in the Riglit of His Uncle 

Ebenezer Sumner. 

38 — , John Charhore of Milten in the Right of His Uncle John 

Charhore. 

39 — Benjamin Bird Jun'' of Dorchester in the Right of His 

Uncle Thomas Bird. 
40 — Samuel Blake of Taunton in the Right of His uncle William 
Blake. 

41 — Thomas Tilestone Esqr of Dorchester in the Right of Capt. 

John Galliver at the desire of Jonathan Galliver who was 
admitted a Settler. 

42 — Timothy Mossman of Sudbury in the Right of His wive's 

Brother Samuel Hix. 

43 — Joshua George of Attleborough in the Right of His Brother 

William George. 

44 — James Atherton of Harvard in the Right of His Uncle 

Joseph Atherton. 

45 — William Sumner of Milton in the Right of WiUiam Sumner 

His Uncle Increase Sumners Son. 
46— i:iizabeth Trescott of Milton in the Right of Her Brother 
Samuel Trescott. 

47 — Joseph Chaplin of Roxbury in the Riglit of His Brother 

Moses Chaplin. 

48 — Hezekiah Barber of Dorchester in the Right of Eliab Lyen 

at the Deseir of Zachnriah Lyon Son of Nathaniel Lyon 

Pokiest Brother to said Eliab Lyon. 
49 — Waitestill Lyon of Dorchester in the Right of Her Uncle 

Edward Wiat. 
50 — Benjamin Mansfield of Dorchester in the Right of His 

Neffue Peter Kelley. 



56 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

51 — Samuel Buvch of Dorchester iu the Right of His Uucle 

Eliazer Wales. 

52 — Isaac How of Dorchester in the Right of His Cussen Joseph 

Curtice. 

53 — Thomas Tilestone Esq'' of Dorchester iu the Right of Hope- 

still Sanders in Behalf^of John Sanders. 

54 — William Royal of Stoughtou in the Right of Samuel Sanders 

in Behalf of John Sanders. 

55 — John Sheperd of Stoughton in the Right of His Uncle John 

Sheperd — Maj'' Wade, 

56 — Philip Gooding of Stoughton who sarved under Maj'' Wade. 
57 — Joseph Wilder Esq"^ of Lancaster in the Right of His Uncle 

Samuel Wheeler who sarved in the Expedition to Canada 
under Maj'' Nathanel Wade. 

58 — Nathan Heywood of Lunenburg in the Right of John Willis 

His Wives Father who sarved under Capt Savage. 

59 — Oliver Wilder of Lancaster in the Right of Jonathan Fair- 

bank who sarved under Cap' Champney. 

60 — Joseph Wheelock of Lancaster in the Right of His Uncle 

Timothy Wheelock who sarved under Cap' Anderson. 

Except Timothy Mossmaii, none of these original proprie- 
tors ever resided in the township, yet several of them, or 
their sons, retained their interest and attended the meetings 
of the propriety for many years. The Wilders, the Sumners, 
Joseph Wheelock, Nathan Heywood and Hezekiah Barber 
became intimately associated with the fortunes of the settle- 
ment. The descendants of several of these proprietors were 
subsequently among the most useful and valued citizens of 
Ashburnham. Here is found the proliable cause which led 
to a residence here of the Wilder, Kelton and Crehore fami- 
lies. And in the succeeding records, as the change of 
ownership introduces new names, will appear the first men- 
tion of other families which have been honorably associated 
with the annals of the town. .V miniature town was con- 



PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 57 

ce<aled in this report of 173G. To sixty men and their suc- 
cessors was committed the destiny of a future Ashburnham. 
Had the decision of the committee passed by these names 
and bestowed the grant on sixty other persons, the drama 
would have proceeded with the scene unchanged, but the 
actors and all the incidents of the play would have been 
changed. A town with a parallel history would have suc- 
ceeded, but the name, the men, the order and color of the 
events would not be those which till the pages of our annals. 
While these proceedings were in progress, the General 
Court had passed an order empowering Timothj^ Tilestone 
to call the first meeting of the proprietors. This warrant is 
dated September 8, 1736, and the meeting was assembled in 
Dorchester fourteen days later. The proceedings of the first 
meeting outline plans and projects for the benefit of the 
proposed settlement which are not consummated for many 
years. The record of the meeting is as follows : 

Alt a Meeting of the Proprietors of a Township Granted to the 
Officers and Soldiers in the Expedition to Canada anno 1690 iu 
the Company under the Command of Capt John Withington late 
Deceased on the 22 Day of Sept 173G att the Turkshead in Dor- 
chester, Legally warned. 

Voted That Thomas Tilestone Esqr be moderator. 

Voted To Lay out the Land as Soon as may be. 

Voted the first Division Lots to be fifty acres and the Com- 
mittee to ad thereto for badness of Land. 

Voted That the Committee shall Consist of Six men and four 
of them to be a quorum. 

Voted That Edward Hartwcll Esq. Benjamin Bird Mr Samuel 
Sumner Mr Benjamin Sumner Mr Isaac Howe & Joseph Wilder 
Esqr be a Committee to Lay out the first Division Lots. 

Voted That the Committee do agree with the Surveyors and 
Chain men. 



58 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Voted That the Surveyors each Shall have fifteen shillings per 
Day, they to support them Selves. 

Voted That the Chaiutnen each Shall have ten Shillings per 
Day they to support them Selves. 

Voted That the Committee Shall have Twelve Shillings per 
Day thej^ to Support them Selves. 

Voted That when an so often as any five or more of the Pro- 
prietors shall judge a Proprietor's Meeting to be necessary they 
may make Application to the Proprietors Clerk for the Calling of 
a meeting Expressing the time and the place and the Occasion 
thereof and the said Clerk is hereby Irapowered to Giant the same 
for such Meeting accordingly and to Notify the Proprietors of 
the Said Meeting and the time and place for the same, which 
Notification Shall be given in Writing Posted up in Some Public 
Place or Places in Dorchester, Milton, & Stoughton Fourteen 
Days before the Day appointed for the Meeting and the Notifica- 
tion to be put to the Public Prints. 

Voted to have a Clerks Book. 

Voted that evry Proprietor to have a Plan of his first Division 
Lot he Paying for the same. 

Voted That evry Proprietor Come att the Next Meeting to 
Draw his first Division Lot, he to pay for the Laying of said Lot 
out before he Draws said Lot. 

Voted That the Committee Vew a Convenant Spot for the 
Meeting House and that the said Committee leve Convenant 
High ways. 

Voted to leve Convenant Places for a Mill or Mills Common 
for the use of the Proprietors. 

Voted that the Committee leve out thouse peices of Medow they 
think Proper to be left out for the use of the Proprietors. 

Voted that Benjamin Bird be the Proprietor's Clerk and the 
said Bird tuck the following oath : 

Whereas you Benjamin Bird are Chosen by a Majority of the 
Voters to be Clerk to the Proprietors of the Township Granted by 



PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 59 

the Geiienil Court to the Company under Capt. Withiugton in 
the Expedition to Canada You do Swear by the true and ever- 
living God that you will Duly and faithfully Discharge that Trust 
according to your best Siiill and Knowledge. So Help you God. 

Province of the Massachusetts Bay S S. 

Sept. the 22"^ 1736. 
Then the above Named Benjamin Bird Parsonaliy appearing 
made Oath as above. Before me 

JOSEPH WILDER Justice of 
tlie Peace through the Province. 

Thus ends the record of the first meethig of the propri- 
etors. An orii'anization had been effected and the clerk had 
been sworn in solemn form. It is worthy of note that after 
taking the oath Mr. Bird seldom again spelled at with two 
ts while he held the office. His l^est skill and judgment 
had been invoked. At this meeting appears for the first 
time Edward Hartwell of Lunenburg. He was not an orig- 
inal proprietor but had purchased a right of Joseph Leads 
and became an active and leading member of the organiza- 
tion. Thomas Tilestone, to whom in the admission of pro- 
prietors was assigned two rights, now ow^ns the former rights 
of John Chandler and Samuel Burch ; the four rights were 
probably acquired l)y purchase. Although the figure head 
of the petition to the General Court it does not appear that 
Mr. Tilestone was entitled by inheritance to any interest in 
the grant which had l)een secured mainly through his influ- 
ence. AYilliam AVhite now owns the right of David Jones 
and the right of Waitstill Lyon is held by Thomas Stearns. 
Jonathan Dwight of Boston takes the place of Joseph Chap- 
lin, and Andrew Wilder, Jr., of Lancaster, is the owner of 
one of the rights of Hezekiah Barber, while James Mears 
and Timothy Green represent the rights formerly of Ben- 
jamin Cheney and Elizabeth Tri scoff. 



60 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

A spirit of activity pervades the record of the lir.st meet- 
ing. Hardly had a moderator been chosei l)efore a vote 
was passed to lay out a house lot for each proprietor "as 
soon as m:iy be." Five days after the meeting, the six 
members of the committee, in full sympathy with the zeal- 
ous enthusiasm of their associates, attended by two surveyors 
and nine chainmen and assistants, are upon the ground. For 
fifteen days the stillness of the woods is broken by the sound 
of the axe and the strong voices of sturdy men. In their 
dying echoes is heard the doom of the primeval forest. The 
sleep of centuries is ended. The entire expanse of foliage 
warmed in an autumn sun will never again present its varied 
hues in an unbroken picture of grandeur and beauty. The 
despoiling agency of man has been invoked and soon the 
flame and smoke from the clearing of the settler will announce 
the preparation for his habitation. Under the direction of 
the committee sixty-three house lots are laid out by Andrew 
Wilder, Jr., and Joseph Wilder, Jr. The chainmen and 
assistants were nearly all proprietors who had come hither tcj 
view their new possessions. These lots were located on the 
west, south and east shores of Upper Naukeag lake, then 
extending south through the Centre Yillage and east to Cam- 
bridge farm, then westerly on the north lines of the Rolfe, 
Starr and Converse farms and on the west line of the latter 
farm to the line of Westminster, covering the site of the 
South Village, but not so far west as the line of the Cheshire 
and Vermont and Massachusetts railroads. Two lots were 
detached and located in the present limits of Ashby. The 
remaining lots were in one continuous tract of irregular form. 
In these lots were included three thousand one hundred and 
fifty acres, exclusive of any allowance that might have l)een 
made for inequality of land. The remainder of the grant, 
or above three hundred acres for each ri^ht, was still owned 



PROPRIETARY HISTORY 61 

in common by the proprietors. These surveys were com- 
pleted October 11. Meanwhile the committee had selected 
a site for the meeting-house and had laid out roads leading 
to it. For this service the committee and those employed 
by them were paid £152-16-6. The sum of £2 was "Paid 
Sundry People at Sundry times for Bringing the Horses out 
of the woods," while £2-19 was paid for pasturing horses, 
which possibly indicates that some of the horses were past- 
ured at expense on improved lands in Lunenburg, being 
more highly favored than those let loose in the woods. 

The second meeting of the proprietors was held November 
10, of the same year. While it was assembled under a new 
warrant, or notification, as our worthies styled it, it was 
practically a continuation of the former meeting. The 
account of the committee already mentioned was allowed and 
to pay the same an assessment was ordered. This action 
called for a new class of ofiicials. Samuel Sumner and 
Edward Hartwell were chosen assessors, Thomas Lyon, Jr., 
collector, and Benjamin Bird, treasurer. The following 
extract from the records outlines the most important of the 
proceedings : 

Voted the Confirmation of the place Marked out by the Com- 
mittee for Building the Meeting House on, and the Highways they 
have Laid out thereunto in Said Town. The Meeting House Lot 
Contains 10 acres lying squar and it Lieth on a Hill 180 Rods 
South of a Greate Pond and has a very faire Prospeck. The 
North East Corner is a young Pitch Pine and thence it Runs west 
40 Rods to a stake and Pillar of Stons and thence South 40 Rods 
to a stake and Heep of Stones and thence it Runs East 40 Rods 
to a stake and Heepe of Stons and thence it Runs North 40 Rods 
to whare it began. 

Voted to Clear the Highway, and Edward Hartwell Esq'', 
Capt. Oliver "Wilder and M' Joseph Wheelock were Chosen a 



62 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Committee for that Sarvice and also to Fire the Woods the first 
Convenant time. 

Voted that Edward Hartwell Esq', Capt Oliver Wilder and 
M"" Joseph Wheelock be a Committee to a Gree with a Sutable 
Person or Persons to Build a Sawmill in said Town in the 
most Convenant Place that they Can find therefor, and That 
in Giving encurragement to an}' Person to undertake therein they 
do not exceed one Hundred acres of Land and that they oblige the 
Person so undertaking (by Bond or other ways) to have the Mill 
Going within the space of five months and to Keep the same in 
Repair for the space of Ten years and that he saw Boards for the 
Proprietors for fort}' shillings a Thousand and Saw timber Brought 
to said Mill for Twenty shillings a Thousand and other Timber 
Proportionable. 

The same month the committee charge the proprietors for 
four days each, three hired laborers fom* days each and one 
man one day in clearing the roads leading to the pla^e set 
apart for the meeting-house and a common, which we are here 
informed and fully realize "has a very faire Prospeck." 

At this meeting the house or first division lots are distrib- 
uted among the proprietors. The eighth lot is reserved for 
the ministry, the ninth for schools and the fifty-seventh for 
the first settled minister. Here ends the record of the first 
year. A New England winter regains control of the wilder- 
ness and for a time closes the door against the progress of the 
settlement. 

1737. With the arrival of spring, the committee chosen 
for that purpose enter into negotiations with Hezekiah Gates 
of Lancaster to l^uild a saw-mill within the township for the 
accommodation of the settlement. The committee grant him 
ninety acres of land, lying on the stream between the Upper 
and Lower Naukeag lakes and receive from him a bond of 
five hundred pounds, obliging him to build and conduct the 



PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 63 

mill on the ternis outlined in the vote of the })roprietors. The 
charges of the committee for their services establish the date 
of these proceedings : 

1737 May 17 the Committee four days each 

with the man that is to Build the saw mill (a) 10' £6 — — — 
J da\' each to signe the Righting — 15 — — 

the writings with M'' Gates — 3 — — 

In effecting an agreement with Mr. Gates the committee 
consume ample time in its consideration and apparently con- 
duct the l)usiness to the present satisfaction of the proprietors, 
but in the years immediately following both Mr. Gates and 
his mill were an endless source of perplexity and litigation. 
The proprietors continually complain of the construction and 
management, while he successfully resists their directions to 
raise the dam and make repairs, until the fact gradually 
develops that there is a better head on Gates than at his 
mill, and more revolving power in his mind than in his 
wheel. 

Two formal meetings of the proprietors are held this year 
at the " Turks Head Tavern in Dorchester," and Henry Wood- 
man, James Bishop, Joseph Bent and Joseph Herbert make 
their first appearance as proprietors in place of Matthias 
Evans, John Andrews, Joseph Weeks and Thomas Lyon, Jr. 
At the first meeting, August 25, it was voted " to lay out in a 
second Division, Sixty three Lots in the up land, each lot 
containing eighty Acres at the least and in case so many Lotts 
cant be laid out in the very best of said land, that it be in 
the Power of the Conmiittee to add to every eighty Acre lot 
so much as to make them equal to the very best Lot, not 
exceeding Forty Acres to any one Lot." 

Andrew Wilder was chosen to lay out the lots and a com- 
mittee of ten was chosen to conduct the business. At the 



64 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

second meeting, December 14, the survey of the second 
division lots was approved, and a lot was assigned to each 
owner of a right. The tenth lot was reserved for the first 
settled minister, the eleventh for the ministry and the sixty- 
third for schools. 

The price of labor on the highways was rated at seven 
shillings per day, and Henry Woodman was added to the 
committee on highways who were instructed that " but one 
of said Committee work on that Business at won and the 
same time." During the year the roads receive the benefit 
of twenty-three days' labor at a cost of £9-2-0. The charges 
for laying out the second division lots were £224-9-6, the 
clerk and treasurer receives £5-7-0, for his services to the 
close of the year and a few small charges are allowed. To 
meet these demands an assessment of £258 sor £4-6-0 on 
each right is made. Only one proceeding of interest during 
this year remains unnoticed : 

Voted That M'' Joseph Harbort have five acres of Land and 
the Stream by it for to Set a fulling Mill he raataining said mill 
ten 3'ears for the Sarves of the Proprietors, the said Proprietors 
paying him for what work they have don at said Mill. And the 
Committee that was appointed to a gree with a man for to Bulding 
a Saw Mill he the Committee to give a Deed and take Bond of 
said Harbort He Paying the Committee for their treble. 

This solitary mention of a fulling-mill is all that is heard 
of it for many years. The committee, to whom the project 
was referred, found ample employment in the management 
of Mr. Gates and his saw-mill. This addition to their per- 
plexity was an act of great unkiudness on the part of the 
proprietors. It is reasonably certain that the grant of land 
was never consummated, perhaps, admonished by the perilous 
adventure of Don Quixote and the fulling-mills, the subject 
is not revived. 



I PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 65 

1738. Samuel Hay ward has become a proprietor repre- 
senting the right formerly of Robert Redman, and Hezekiah 
Gates also appears at the meetings of the board, but whose 
right he has purchased is not certain. Other changes in the 
membership of the proprietors occur from time to time, but 
the general management of affairs continues to be referred to 
thos0 whose names have become familiar. Only one meeting 
is h^eld this year, which is convened August 22, "at the 
house of Jonathan Dwight of Boston, Innholder." Timothy 
Grei^n is elected clerk and treasurer in the place of Benjamin 
Bir/i. The saw-mill has been built but the contention con- 
cerning its efficiency and management has not as yet suffi- 
ciently developed to prevent the proprietors' from considering 
a request from its owner, in a generous and good-natured 
manner : 

Voted That Mr. Hezekiah Gates of Lancaster have liberty to 
lay out Thirty Acres of Land adjoining to the land he has already 
• laid out at the Mill between the Pond and the lower end of his 
Land already laid out in part of his Ninet}' Acres. 

Voted that M"^ Hezekiah Gates have liberty to build his House 
on his Land near the Mill and clear as much Land there as any 
one Proprietor is obliged to do by his Grant. 

Also at this meeting Captain Oliver Wilder and Mr. Gates 
are chosen "to clear a good cart way from the saw mill to the 
place w^here the meeting house is to stand as strait as the 
land will allow of." For this purpose an appropriation not 
exceeding eight pounds is made. The sentiment of the pro- 
l)rietors w\as taken in regard to building a meeting-house and 
" it passed in the negative." 

1739. A note of preparation for some weighty under- 
taking is heard in the early call for a meeting of the 
proprietors. Earlier by several months than in former years 
are assembled the controlling spirits of the township. This 



66 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. ' 

memorable meeting was held in Boston April 11, at the 
house of Mr. Dwight. Notices had been published in the 
Boston papers and posted at Dorchester and probably at 
Milton and Stoughton, announcing to the proprietors that 
they will be invited at this meeting "to consider what is 
proper to be done about building a meeting house for the 
worship of God." Of the time for l3uilding a meeting-house 
stipulated in the charter two full years yet remained, and in 
consideration of the small progress made in the settlement, 
and that so far the plantation had been a continual source 
of expense to the proprietors, an excuse for delay is ey^^ily 
found. The record, however, presents no shadow of hesita- 
tion but rather the cheerful voice of a united purpose. 

Voted That a Meeting House for the Publicic Worship of 
God be Built as soon as conveniently may be, on ^he Meeting 
House place in the said Township to be Forty Five Feet Long, 
Thirty Five Feet wide, the Corner post to be Twenty one Feet 
high. 

Voted That Thomas Tilestone & Edward Hartwell Esq" Major 
Oliver Wilder, Mr. Andrew Wilder and Mr. Hezekiah Barber be 
the Committee for Building said Meeting House. 

Voted That a Tax of Three Hundred Pounds be laid, on the 
Proprietors, to pay Charges past and towards Building said 
Meeting House. 

An omission to give this record in full would be an act of 
injustice. The will of the meeting expressed in other terms 
would conceal, in a great measure, the resolute purpose and 
firm determination of the act. On the strength of this action 
alone the meeting-house was built. No postponement, no 
amendment nor qualification of this action was ever tolerated. 
In marked contrast with the early history of other towns in 
this vicinity the first meeting-house was located with rare 
unanimity and built without contention. The picture of the 



; PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 67 

" faire Prospeck " was not marred with an exhibition of the 
passions of contending men. Under the direction of the 
committee, the meeting-house was built by Benjamin Ballard, 
who received in six payments £251-17-0. In his Half 
Century Sermon, 1818, Eev. Dr. Gushing says : "In 1739, 
the proprietors erected a meeting house 50 by 40. It was 
the first frame that was set up in the town and it has been 
considered, and was at the time, as an extraordinary enter- 
prise that it was raised l)y only sixteen men." This refer- 
ence' to the year in which it was built is of interest, since 
they records do not make it appear whether it was built in 
1789 or the year following. November 19, 1740, it was 
voied to pay Mr. Ballard one hundred and fifty pounds in 
part for building the meeting-house, and at the same time the 
committee was requested to make a report. While the 
records admit the conjecture that it might have been built in 
1740, there is found no cause to qualify the assertion of Mr. 
Gushing that it was erected in 1739. In regard to the size 
of the edifice, it is fair to presume, that referring to it twenty- 
seven years after it was removed, it would have been easier 
for Mr. Gushing to overlook the exact dimensions than for 
the committee to exceed their instructions so far as to erect a 
meeting-house longer and wider by five feet than directed by 
the vote of their associates. On one point all the authorities 
are in harmony. At this time the roof and sides were 
covered with boards and open spaces were left for windows 
and doors. It was several years before the roof was im- 
proved and doors and windows procured. 

Two other meetings were held at Boston this year, at 
which considerable business was transacted. It was pro- 
posed to clear a road leading from Lunenburg to Winchester, 
New Hampshire, but the ambition of the proprietors was 
satisfied in the choice of a committee to view and estimate 



68 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. ( 

the expense of a road from the common to the west linc^ of 
the township. A gratuity' of four pounds each was votefi to 
the first fifteen settlers who, previous to May, 1740, sh-puld 
build a house and comply with the other conditions of the 
grant ; and a grant of sixty acres of land was maoie to 
" Thomas Gamble who lately met with some loss by fi're in 
said township." An account of this fire, probably the^ first 
in the settlement, would l)e of interest, but no additional 
information has been found. At a former meeting there' had 
been a decree to prosecute all persons who cut any white 
pine trees on the undivided lands, and now a committee is 
chosen to number and mark all the white pine trees fit for 
clapboards and shingles on the ten-acre common that they 
may be reserved for future use. 

1740. The chronicles now declare the war of 1740. The 
growing discontent over the continued mismanagement of 
the saw-mill culminated in acts of open hostility at a meeting, 
assembled at the inn of Jonathan D wight, on the tenth of 
April. The declaration of war is inscribed in a bold, firm 
hand upon the records : 

Voted that Edward Hartwell, Esq. of Lunenburg, Col. Oliver 
Wilder and Joseph Wheelock of Lancaster be a committee to put 
in suit and pursue to final judgment and execution the bond of 
Mr. Hezekiah G-ates of Lancaster. 

Forgetting that their treasury was empty and that Mr. 
Ballard was waiting for his pay for building the meeting- 
house, the proprietors do not fail to vote the sinews of war : 

Voted that the committee, chosen to put in suit and pursue to 
final judgment and execution the bond of Hezekiah Gates, have 
liberty to draw upon the proprietor's treasurer what money may 
be thought proper and necessary to carry on the suit. 



PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 69 

Mr. Gates was sued ; probably Daniel Gookin, the first 
sheriff in Worcester county, served the writ. The discon- 
tent of the proprietors had become chronic and relief could 
not be found in treatment less heroic. It was a valorous 
attack, but the enemy was not wholly routed, as appears in 
a call for a meeting to be assembled at the inn of Captain 
Josiah Shelden in Boston, November 19, "to hear what Mr. 
Hezekiah Gates hath to offer for an aoreement concerninsj 
the I saw mill and damn." The records of Timothy Green 
are spelled with great accuracy. He fails now in the orthog- 
raj'jhy of one word. Probably he did not use that word 
often, but we are sorry to find him using it in this form when 
he is talking al)out Gates and the saw-mill. Mr. Hartwell 
is allowed and some time later was paid £33-3-0 " for sueing 
Hezekiah Gates ; for charo-es attending Court at Worcester 
May 1740 and for officers fees and witness fees and for 
laying out ten acres of pine land and laying out Hezekiah 
Gates' land." In 1743, after many votes and references to 
the aftair, the proprietors, in a more conciliatory spirit, pro- 
pose to adjust the difficulty on receipt of £40 or £10 new 
tenor. The proposition was accepted and payment made by 
Mr. Gates soon after. Complaint however was renewed in 
a future year, 1744, in a call for a meeting "to see what 
the proprietors will do concerning Hezekiah Gates ; the saw 
liiill Ijeing out of repair and no boards." When the meeting 
was convened nothing was done about it for the saw-mill and 
all minor troubles were forgotten in the sorrows and discour- 
agements of the French and Indian War. 

1741. Several of the proprietors of Dorchester Canada, 
compared with the standard of their time, were men of 
wealth. It is apparent that others were less fortunate. A 
considerable portion of the taxes which had been assessed 
from time to time on the rights in the township remained 



70 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. ' 

unpaid, and many demands against the propriety were un^ of 
justed. The embarrassment occasioned by this state 1 to 
affairs finds frequent expression in the records. Early ,3uld 
year it was voted to sell at auction the land of the delinqi the 
owners, but before the day appointed for the sale arrived4e to 
majority took a more conciliatory course in referringire in 
subject to a committee. It is probable that no sale of • first 
for the payment of taxes was made until 1754. ional 

In the annals of this year should be recorded an impori had 
event over which the proprietors had no control, ''hite 
boundary line, having been adjusted previously by the c»e is 
tending provinces, was run by Richard Hazen in February for 
this year. A belt of land along the northern l)oundary .ey 
Dorchester Canada, containing nearly one thousand acresi 
was ruthlessly given to New Hampshire. Overcome by a 
grief which refused utterance, or sustained by a stoic resig- 
nation which commanded silence, the proprietors make no 
reference to this event for many years. 

1742. The annals of this year are somewhat brief and 
uneventful, and the careless reader might fail to discover the 
feature of greatest interest. Here is found the first trace of 
faction among the proprietors . In a call for a meeting to be 
held at the meeting-house in Dorchester Canada, the first 
attempt to hold a meeting outside of Dorchester or Boston, 
appear the names of Caleb Wilder, Joseph Wheelock, Heze- 
kiah Gates, Benjamin Harris, Gardner Wilder, Edward 
Phelps and Nathaniel Carter. These were the petitioners 
who caused the meeting to be called and designated the 
place. Former meetings had generally been called by 
Thomas Tilestone, Jonathan D wight, Hezekiah Barber, 
Samuel Kneeland and others living in Boston or immediate 
vicinity. The record of the proceedings of the meeting 
convened in Dorchester Canada is brief : "A number of the 



\ 



PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 71 



]>orietors met at the meeting house in Dorchester Canada 
she there was objection arose about the callinp; the meeting- 
tent so nothing Avas done." 

not vidently, Avithout consulting the Tilestone party, the 
attai" gentleman joined by a few others get a meeting called 
a ca after to be convened at Leominster. Again " there was 
Josi'tion arose " on account of the absence of the clerk " and 
Hez'^fli^ng was done." It becomes apparent that in the 
the ioiis play of Mohammed and the mountain, the Boston 
arej preferred to be the mountain. A meeting was then 
i-ai-ed to assemble early the following year at the inn of Mr. 
of'iathan Dwight in Boston where matters of grave import. 
^"' ,( re considered . 

1743. At a meeting convened March 31 at tlie house of 
Jonathan Dwight, an entertaining proposition was considered 
and decided as follows : 

Voted That the proprietors give encouragement to one person 
that will settle a Family and Keep a public House with Suitable 
Entertainment. 

Voted That the sura of £100. O. T. be paid to one person that 
shall build a good and sufficient House — three Rooms on a floor 
with Chimneys in each Room of it for a House of Entertainment 
and Barn and provision suitable for* to entertain men and 
Horses. 

Ju order that the ])ounty proposed might be paid to any 
person complying with the conditions a tax was assessed at 
this time, l)ut the money Avas not promptly collected. 
Timothy Mossman of Sudbury built a house of entertainment 
this year, and received eighty pounds of the one hundred 
pounds which was attempted to be raised. The record will 
establish this point l)eyond dispute. Under an article "To 
do what shall be thought necessarv in order that Mr. Timothy 



/ 



72 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



Mossiiian may have the money paid him which is justly idue 
and owing to him from said proprietors " it was ordered " llrhat 
the sum of eighty pounds old tenor l)e allowed and paid to 
Mr. Timothy Mossman for his service in building a house of 
entertainment and if there should be peace with Finance 
within twelve months that the aforesaid ]\Iossman to liavi 3 the 
sum of forty pounds old tenor." ' 

In recognition of faithful service, the sum of tvv^elve 
shillings per day for se^^en and one-half days \vas voteid to 
Edward Hartwell, Joseph Wheelock and Andrew Wildt^r, a 
committee " to view out and mark out a road from the m^^et- 
ing house to the west line and that tifty shillings be allowed 
to each of them for their extraordinary hardship." 

1744. At the threshold of a new year stand the waiting 
heralds of impending war; their messages, borne on the 
wings of alarm along the unprotected frontier, are answered 
in hasty preparations for defence. The settlers from the 
unprotected borders through fear of attack from the Indians 
are hastening to the older and fortified towns. The proprie- 
tors of Dorchester Canada, perceiving that the existence of 
the settlement was involved, adopted early measures to 
create a feeling of security. First, they place themselves 
squarely on the record : " Voted that the proprietors will 
fortify," and at the same meeting one hundred and sixty 
pounds was voted to Asher Cutler if he would "build a 
fortification around his house and receive the soldiers that is 
ordered for that place and have the province pay for billeting 
and keep a tavern with good stabling hay &c to the accept- 
ance of the proprietors." Mr. Andrew Wilder Avas chosen 
"to view the fortification Mr. Cutler is to l)uild in said town- 
ship." It is reasonably certain that this contract was 
annulled. In August following an agreement is made with 
Jonathan Dwight and Ephraim Wheeler " to build a block 



PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 75 

house in said Dorchester Canada and keep a good and suffi- 
cient house of entertainment tit both for man & horse and 
to entertain all soldiers that have or may be ordered to said 
township & to receive the province pay for their billeting/' 
The consideration for this undertaking was two hundred 
pounds which was paid them the following year, but no 
record of any payment to Mr. Cutler is found. 

Only two months preceding this agreement with Dwight 
and Wheeler, Timothy Mossman was chosen " to take care 
of the meeting house by nailing boards against the windows 
and doors and prevent the burning of brush near it." It is 
probable that between these dates Mr. Mossman had left the 
house of entei-tainment built the year preceding. Certainly 
in the following year he was residing in Sudbury. It 
appears, also, that Asher Cutler was the owner of the IVIoss- 
man inn when he made the agreement with the })roprietors 
to fortify his house in Dorchester Canada. 

In confirmation of this statement there is the record of a 
deed dated August 10, 1744, of Timothy Mossman of Dor- 
chester Canada conveying the fourteenth and fifteenth first 
division lots to Asher Cutler of Sudbury. These lots are 
west of the highway and between the house of Seth P. Fair- 
banks and the old common. There is also a distinct tradi- 
tion that this ancient inn was fortified and stood near the site 
of the Powder House. 

At the time Dwight and Wheeler built the block-house 
Mr. Wheeler was the owner of one-half of the Bluefiekl or 
Bellows grant, and it is not improbable that the house built 
on this grant in 1734 was a part of the block-house built in 
the autumn of 1744 or the following spring. Enos Jones, 
who settled on the Bluefield grant about 1762, was accus- 
tomed to say that there was a block-house and an inn situ- 
ated a short distance south from the house occupied by the 
late Deacon Daniel Jones. 



74 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

1745-1749. If an}^ meeting of the proprietors was con- 
vened, during these five years, no record of it has been 
preserved. It would be a source of satisfaction to make it 
appear, upon proof, that during these years of gloom and 
discouragement to all the frontier settlements our little 
colony had maintained a continuous habitation in Dorchester 
Canada. But a knowledge of the fortunes of other settle- 
ments similarly situated, the absence of any sustaining 
evidence and the voices of tradition combine to destroy any 
such picture and to lead to the conclusion that during a con- 
siderable portion of the time the settlement was entirely 
deserted. If it is true that the fires are suffered to burn low 
on these primitive hearths, they are not wholly extinguished. 
In a little while the pioneers return in augmented force and 
the infant colony grows apace. It was the rest and inac- 
tivity of sleep, but not the eternal silence of death ; and the 
little clearings in the forest, the meeting-house and the mill 
will await them on their return. 

Previous to this date, in addition to grants of land to 
the saw-mill and for other purposes, the proprietors had 
expended above one thousand five hundred pounds, old 
tenor, in forwarding the settlement. Substantial progress 
had been made. Primitive roads had been constructed 
from Lunenl)urg to the meeting-house and from thence 
to the Winchendon line. There was a road of more 
pretension from the saw-mill to the meeting-house, and the 
Northfield road extended through the township. A saw- 
mill and later a meeting-house had been built and the 
fruit of civilization had been enjoyed in a lawsuit of very 
fair proportions. Through several clearings in the forest 
the summer sun warms the earth and paints in livery ot 
green the tender l)lade. A few houses have been built in 
the centre of the clearings. The house on Bluefield farm is 



PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 75 

established l)y the records. The owner of the saw-mill was 
permitted to build his house near by. The house of Mr. 
Mossman, and the fortified house of D wight and Wheeler, 
were completed to the acceptance of the proprietors. But 
the number and location of the earliest dwellings have 
escaped record and have faded from the traditions of men. 

The original grant of several towns in this vicinity was at 
very nearly the same time. At the outset it was an even 
race. The proprietors of Dorchester Canada, manifesting 
a livelier interest in their plantation by more frequent meet- 
ings and more comprehensive action, secured better results 
and made more progress in a preparation for the future than 
was made by their rivals. It is probably true that if the 
building of the meeting-house had been delayed a very short 
time, it would not have been built until the return of peace 
after the French and Indian War. Admitting the conjecture, 
the fact remains — one was built, and it was more than 
twenty years before a similar edifice was reared in Rindge 
or in Winchendon. 

The fear of attack from the Indians which led to the 
desertion of the settlement was not without good and sufii- 
cient reason. Any other course would have been rash and 
venturesome. A view of the surroundings as they were in 
1745 leads directly to this conclusion. Townsend, includ- 
ing the greater part of Ashby, and Lunenburg were incor- 
porated towns containing several block-houses on which the 
inhabitants relied for i)rotection. The settlement in West- 
minster had made substantial progress, containing about 
twenty families. In that town Avas a line of ten block- 
houses or fortified dwellings which, joining with the fortifi- 
cations in Lunenburg and Townsend, made a continuous line 
of defences on the south and east, with Ashburnham on the 
outside doing picket duty for the older and fortified towns. 



76 HISTOEY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

There was no protection from the north and west. In this 
direction, between the lines of settlement along the margins 
of the Connecticut and Merrimack rivers, was an expanse of 
unbroken wilderness through which an insidious foe could 
approach unchallenged. The only settlements on the dan- 
ger side of Ashburnham were at New Ipswich, Peter- 
borough, Rindge and Winchendon. All these were deserted. 
It would have been foolhardy for any of them or all of 
them in alliance to have attempted to maintain an existence 
during these years of danger. History commends the wis- 
dom of the course pursued by these unprotected and feeble 
settlements. It is a well-established fact that the Indians 
were discovered many times lurking along the line of the 
garrisons and ready to attack any unguarded point. They 
were held at bay only l)y the active measures taken for 
defence. They even entered Westminster and Lunenburg- 
and in a part of Lunenburg now in Ashby, they burned one 
of the fortified houses, killing two of the three soldiers who 
had been stationed there and carried into captivity an entire 
family, consisting of John Fitch, his wife and five children. 
The Indians made their retreat and doubtless came 
throug-h Ashburnham. Electing between retreat and mas- 
sacre, these settlements were abandoned. Even within the 
fortified line there were expressions of fear and repeated 
calls for assistance. July 8, 1748, three days after the cap- 
ture of John Fitch, fifty-eight citizens of Lunenburg and 
Leominster join in a petition for more soldiers "for the pro- 
tection of their lives, " giving as a reason for their request 
"that we are soried to look upon ourselves in a very hazard- 
ous as well as distressed case to such a degree that we can- 
not many of us labor on our farms or abide in our houses 
with tolerable safety." Four days later the commissioned 
officers and the selectmen of Lunenburg renew the request 



PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 77 

for help declaring that for the past week " almost daily the 
enemy are heard shooting in the woods above us." In the 
accumulated evidence of these and other documents which 
care has preserved and research brought to light is found 
the danger which led to the abandonment of our little settle- 
ment and which raised alarm in the older and stronger 
towns. 

During this period of suspension in the affairs of Dorches- 
ter Canada, material changes occurred in the membership of 
the propriety. Thomas Tilestone died October 21, 1745. 
No other name has become so familiar. He was the leading 
petitioner for the grant and was appointed by the General 
Court on the committee to admit the grantees and also to 
conduct their organization. Subsequently he was elected 
moderator of every meeting of the proprietors, was named 
on the most important committees and until his death, at the 
age of seventy j^ears, he was the leading spirit among his 
associates. He was a son of Timothy Tilestone and was 
born in Dorchester October 19, 1675. Through a long and 
useful life he was called to many positions of trust, both in 
civil and military afftiirs. His name is honorably connected 
with the annals of his time. In the concerns of Dorchester 
Canada, he was succeeded by his son Elisha Tilestone, who 
from inclination or otherwise made no attempt to exercise an 
equal influence in the management of its affairs. 

Joseph Wilder of Lancaster was a member of the Council 
in 1735 and was one of the committee to admit the grantees. 
At first he was prominent in the councils of the proprietors, 
but occupied with affiiirs of greater moment his name now 
fades almost entirely from these annals. He was Judge of 
Prol)ate many years and one of the Justices of the County 
Court from the organization of the county in 1731 until his 
death in 1757. It was his son Joseph who was one of the 



78 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

surveyors of the first division lots in 1736. Another son 
Caleb and a cousin Oliver continue active members of the 
propriety for many years, and among the residents who 
appear at a later period the name of Wilder will receive 
honorable mention. 

Edward HartAvell was one of the first settlers of Lunen- 
burg where he continued to reside until his death February 
17, 1785, aged ninety-six years. He continues a proprietor 
of Dorchester Canada, but after this date he gives very little 
time or attention to its aflairs. His sound judgment and 
vigorous intellect made him a leader among men. He was 
a major in the militia and was frequently in service in the 
protection of the frontier. For many years he was a mem- 
ber of the Legislature and served in that capacity after he 
was eighty years of age. He was also one of the Justices 
of the County Court from 1762 to 1774. In the midst of 
these accumulating honors and with weighty responsibilities 
resting upon him, he is found clearing the roads in the new 
township seven and one-half days and is rewarded with a 
gratuity of fifty shillings on account of his extraordinary 
hardship. 

On the muster-roll of Captain Withington's company 
which served in the expedition to Canada in 1690 appears 
the name of Samuel Hicks. The son Samuel, Jr., being 
dead a right in the township of Dorchester Canada was 
awarded to Timothy Mossman of Sudbury who married 
Sarah Plicks a daughter of Samuel, Senior. Mr. Mossman 
was the only one of the sixty original proprietors who settled 
in the township. Driven away by fear of the Indians and 
being advanced in years, he did not return when the settle- 
ment was renewed but the name will ever be associated with 
the earliest annals of the place. While he resided here, as 
stated elsewhere, he owned and occupied a house and lands 



rilOrRIETARY HISTORY. 79 

a short distance south of the common. From a petition 
found in the forty-sixth volume of State archives it appears 
that Mr. Mossman had a lease of other land and that potash 
was manufactured there at a very early date. 

The petition of Timothy IMossman which humbly craves leave 
to show tliat your petitioner lived in Dorchester Canada and was 
drove off by the Indiaus from that town, aud thereby I lossed my 
House Moveables aud Improvemeuts aud being impoverished sold 
my land there. I was put in possession of the pottash farm by 
virtue of a Lease from Capt Plaisteed, where I did much labour 
in fencing improveing aud r^alieing roads to the value of Two 
Hundred pounds where a so I met with Great sickness in my 
person & familly and was further reduced by the loss of the 
possession of the province land as it became profitable. 

Therefore I pray your Excellency aud Honours from your own 
goodness and Humanity to Compassionate my distress'd Circum- 
stances and forgive me the debt I owe to the Province and give 
me a small Tract or Tracts of Province Land that may be found 
to lije betwixt Westminster and Leominster that is useless to the 
Govern'' or the Sum of Two Hundred Pounds or Equivoleuce in 
land, and as in duty bound shall ever pray. 

TIMOTHY MOSSMAN. 

In answer to tins petition of Mr. Mossman, the General 
Court ordered June 12, 17G4, "that the sum of twelve 
pounds, being a debt due from the petitioner to the prov- 
ince, be remitted to him in liill answer to his petition." 

The second allegation in the petition concerning the pot- 
ash w^orks under the lease of Captain Plaisted relates to 
events Avhich occurred after his removal from this town. To 
Thomas Plaisted had been granted fifteen hundred acres of 
land, now a part of Princeton, and while Mr. Mossman was 
occupying this grant in 1760 the title was forfeited on 
account of non-fultilment of the conditions. It is this mis- 
fortune that is recited in the petition. Timothy Mossman 
was born in Wrentham, 1079, and died in Sudbury, 1773. 
He did not reside in this town subsequent to 1744. 



CHAPTER III. 

A RECORD OF SETTLEMENTS. 

RENEWED ACTIVITY OF ' THE PROPRIETORS. MOSES FOSTER. — THE SECOND 

SAW-MILL. GRAIN-MILL. SETTLEMENTS. DISAGREEMENT BETAVEEN 

RESIDENT AND NON-RESIDENT PROPRIETORS. NAMES OF EARLY SETTLERS. 

THE GERMAN SETTLEMENT. — THE PROVINCE LINE. MANUFACTURE OF 

POTASH. DISTRIBUTION OF UNDIVIDED LANDS. FAREWELL TO THE PRO- 
PRIETORS. PERSONAL NOTICES. 

The Congress of nations convened at Aix la Chapelle, in 
1748, effected a suspension of hostilities between England 
and France, but during the summer of the following year, 
detached bodies of Indians, sometimes accompanied by a few 
French soldiers, continued to menace the exposed line of 
settlements. Not until 1750, did a feeling of security invite 
a return of the settlers to the frontiers, nor at this time in 
any considerable number. One by one the hardy pioneers 
break an opening in the wilderness or enlarge a clearing 
already begun. The rude cabins are sej^arated by wide 
wastes of unbroken forest. The cheering presence of a new 
arrival, or the return of a former companion is only hailed at 
long intervals of time. It was several years before there 
were many settlers in the township. The renewal of the 
war in 1754, and the news of sudden incursions by the 
Indians into Salisbury, Charlestown, Walpole, Keene, 
Hinsdale and other towns in New Hampshire, continued to 
cast clouds of discouragement over a second attempt to pos- 
sess the township. While this state of aflfairs from 1750 to 

80 . 



A RECORD OF SETTLEMENTS. 81 

1760 greatly retarded, it did not prevent material progress 
in the settlement of Dorchester Canada. , 

Early in the year, 1750, the proprietors, aroused by the 
bustle of preparation heard on every hand, are convened at 
the inn of their old associate, Jonathan D wight. For five 
years they have beheld their possessions in Dorchester 
Canada, through the dim vision of gloomy fear and fading 
hope, but now assembling with cheerful countenances, they 
forget the misgivings of the past as they read on every hand 
the accumulating promises of amended fortunes. They can- 
not fail to note the vacant chair of Timothy Tilestone. 
Joseph Wilder, engrossed by affiiirs of greater moment, has 
withdrawn from any participation in their affairs, and Edward 
Hartwell, after this date, is seldom present. In their room 
come Elisha Tilestone, Richard and Caleb Dana, Henry 
Coolidge, Eleazer Williams and John Moffatt, while the 
Sumners, Colonel Oliver and Captain Caleb Wilder, Jona- 
than D wight, Hezekiah Barber, Joseph Wheelock, Nathan 
Hey wood and others, whose names are familiar, will con- 
tinue active members of the board. And last, but not least, 
from year to year there will be added to their councils new 
members, residents of the settlement, increasing in numbers 
and influence until they gain control of the corporation. 
These, in whom we have much the greater interest, will be 
introduced with honorable mention as they make their 
appearance at the meetings of the board. 

The date of the first meeting after the long interval, was 
February 20, 1749-50. It was proposed to procure windows 
and finish the meeting-house, and the expediency of calling a 
minister was suggested for the first time, but nothing was 
decided in regard to a minister or the meeting-house. A 
committee was named to report at the next meeting concern- 
ing the probable expense and the location of a grist-mill, and 



82 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

then, with their accustomed alacrity, they admonished Mr. 
Gates instructing him in specific terms, to keep the saw-mill 
in good repair and to " raise the dam one foot and a half 
hiofher than it used to be or ever has been." After some 
attention to the roads, which doubtless needed mending, the 
proprietors directed attention to one subject of no little 
interest. Present at this meeting, and mingling with them, 
was Moses Foster, then almost sixty years of age. For 
several years he had resided a portion of the time, at least, 
in. Dorchester Canada. He brought them tidings from the 
wilderness, and gave them an account of what had happened 
there. By him they were assured the meeting-house had 
been unharmed and he gave them the names of those who 
had been to the wilderness or were proposing to settle there. 
Mr. Foster had purchased one first and one second division 
lot lying adjacent in the northeast part of the town, now in 
Ashby. The title to one of the lots was in dispute and the 
proprietors at this meeting made him a grant of fifty acres. 
Not content with this measure of kindness to their aged 
guest, the proprietors vote him five pounds " for being one of 
the first settlers." There is no record of the payment of 
this gratuity, but a few years later a tract of about fifty acres 
was granted to "Mr. Moses Foster one of the first settlers" 
on condition he " shall come personally and settle and inhabit 
there and continue there for several years provided his life 
be spared him." This grant was located adjacent to and east 
of the common, and for many years was known as the 
Deacon Foster grant. It is now owned and occupied by 
Benjamin Gushing. Permission was also given Mr. Foster 
to throw up his house lot No. 51, and lay out another which 
he did, selecting a tract extending north from the land 
granted to him, but not extending so far westward. 



A RECORD OF SETTLEMENTS. 83 

At this time occurred ii radical change in New England in 
the terms employed expressing money. In 1736, the paper 
money, styled old tenor, compared with silver was worth 
about one-third of its nominal value. It gradually depreci- 
ated, until in 1750 the bills issued by Massachusetts were 
rated at about fourteen per cent. In 1749, England sent to 
the New England colonies in compensation for the cost of the 
recent w^ar a large amount of specie. The proportion of 
Massachusetts, amounting to $612,330.41, was employed in 
redeeming the issue of paper money at current rates. After 
this date w^hen a sum of money is stated, a pound will 
represent an equivalent to $3.33^ in silver. Referring to 
payments of money previously made, the vote in 1737 to 
give the laborers upon the roads, seven shillings per day 
was equivalent to thirty-one cents, and the cost of building 
the meeting-house was about two hundred and twenty -five 
dollars. The gratuity tendered Mr. Foster on account of his 
early settlement, was equivalent to two dollars and twenty- 
five cents. In 1751, measures were adopted which led to 
the building of a new saw-mill. In order to accomplish this 
desired result, the proprietors first declare their independence 
of Mr. Gates and his mill, and then, in the light of a dis- 
covery, come to the conclusion that the former grant of land 
to him is revoked and can be given by them to any other 
person or persons who will undertake to build ijnother and a 
better mill. With the summary retirement of Mr. Gates, 
the old mill falls into decay, and the temper of the proprie- 
tors is reflected with more serenity in the pages of the 
records. Let it not be presumed that this continued trouble 
over the saw-mill has been unduly colored in these annals. 
Only a few of the many complaints of the proprietors have 
been mentioned, and always with a conscientious effort to 
temper their acerbity. 



34 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

The final vote was passed, November 5, 1751. 

Voted that the proprietors do hereby grant to Caleb Dana, 
Timothy Green and Jonathan D wight and their heirs, the stream 
of water whereon the old saw-mill was built by Hezekiah Gates, 
and the ninety acres of land, sixty acres of which are laid out near 
or adjoining to said stream, which was supposed to be granted to 
the said Gates. They viz : Caleb Dana, Timothy Green and 
Jonathan Dwight build a saw-mill and keep the same in good 
repair three years after said mill and a good dam is well finished 
at or before the 20"^ day of Ma}' next or sooner. 

At the same meeting a bounty of forty-eight pounds was 
offered to any one who would build a grist-mill on the same 
stream "as near the saw mill as conveniently can be." 
There were stipulations that, at the saw-mill, work should 
be done at a stated price and that the grist-mill should be 
kept in good repair and with good attendance for the term 
of fifteen years. It was proposed in April, 1752, to make a 
further grant to encourage the building of the grist-mill 
and the subject was referred to the next meeting with the 
encouraging remark "by which time the grist-mill will be 
finished." Stimulated by these proceedings a new saw-mill 
and a grist-mill were soon built. Caleb Dana of Cam- 
bridge, the owner of many lots of land but never a resident 
in this township, and Elisha Coolidge, also of Cambridge, 
who settled at this time in Lane Village, bought of Jonathan 
Dwight fifty acres of land situated southeast and adjoining 
the old saw-mill grant. On their new purchase they built 
a saw-mill and a grist-mill in the year 1752. These mills 
were near each other and possibly under one roof, and were 
located nearer the Upper Naukeag than was the old saw- 
mill. In January, 1753, Dana and Coolidge sold the two 
mills and the Dwight land to Nathan Dennis of Dudley. 



A RECORD OF SETTLEMENTS. 85 

Mr. Dennis removed at once and took possession of the 
mills and for a number of years Mr. Coolidge remained 
here. Dana and Coolidge for many years retained posses- 
sion of the saw-mill grant. For some reason the grant was 
not confirmed to them by the proprietors until 1760, nor 
was the gratuity of forty-eight pounds to encourage the" 
building of the grist-mill promptly paid. This delay led 
to the second lawsuit which attended the fortunes of the 
settlement. In this instance the proprietors were the 
defendants and in 1756 paid the successful litigants on an 
execution the sum of £77-15-2, and about the same time 
Mr. Dennis, the proprietor of the mills, secured an execu- 
tion for the sum of £14-15-3. The proprietors, having 
secured the building of a better saw-mill and a grist-mill 
for the accommodation of the settlement and satiated with 
vexatious experiences and the lawsuits attending every 
enterprise in this direction, now leave their management and 
the building of other mills to the enterprise of business men. 
The continued history of mills and manufactures will be 
found in another chapter. 

In regard to the location of the first mills in this town 
there is little doubt. The mill which was built by Mr. 
Gates in 1737 was on the saw-mill grant, located on the 
stream between the Upper and Lower Naukeag lakes. 
Between the grant and the Upper Naukeag was a lot of fifty 
acres on which the two mills were built by Dana and Cool- 
idge in 1752. The bounds of these tracts of land are defi- 
nitely defined and the location of the mills api)roximately 
shown by deeds recorded in the Worcester Registry. The 
first mill was near the lower mill of Packard Brothers, for- 
merly of Elias Lane, and not many years since traces of the 
old log dam could be seen about twenty)' yards south of the 
present dam. The other mills were about sixty yards east 



86 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

of the mill in Lane Village, now of Packard Brothers, for- 
merly of C. & G. C. Winchester. Traces of the dam, in 
the present mill-pond, still remain. 

Referring the action of the proprietors in regard to roads 
and to ecclesiastical affairs to chapters devoted to those sub- 
jects, there are found remaining many items of interest and 
information which relate to the progress of the settlement. 
In the proceedings of a meeting convened in March, 1751, 
and between the record of two other votes on disconnected 
subjects is found the following assertion : "Voted that thirty 
men or upwards residing in the township." This is startling 
information. Turning to the warrant for an article intro- 
ducing this vote there is found, "To agree upon a speedy 
and full compliance with the conditions of the General 
Courts Grant." The conditions of the charter requiring the 
settlement of a certain number of families within a limited 
time had been unfulfilled several years. On account of the 
troublous times which had retarded the progress of all the 
younger settlements, the General Court, by tacit consent and 
sometimes by enactment, had extended in an indefinite man- 
ner the time stipulated for the fulfilment of the conditions of 
the grants. Yet the policy of reminding the settlements of 
their delinquency was being pursued. The solemn declara- 
tion of the proprietors that there were thirty men residing 
in the township at this time should be qualified. It was not 
recorded for their own information but was rather addressed 
to the General Court. If the vote had a desired efiect in 
the quarter to which it was directed, it did not increase the 
number of settlers. The population of their plantation could 
not be inflated at Avill by resolving that the men were 
there. Only a few families were residing in the township 
when this startling vote was passed, and any mention of 
thirty men, if correct, must have included any who were 



A RECORD OF SI<:T rLEMKXTS. 87 

repairing roads for the proprietors or clearing lots prepara- 
tory to a removal of their families ; but their existing legal 
residence and the home of their families were not as yet in 
Dorchester Canada. 

About the time the town was incorporated, and })erhaps 
an incident of that event, there are found renewed evidences 
of discord between the resident and non-resident propri- 
etors. For several years the meetings of the propriety had 
been held in Dorchester Canada and in them all there had 
been opportunity for differences of opinion in the policy 
which should be pursued in the general management of 
affairs. The non-resident proprietors in forwarding the set- 
tlement were increasing the value of their lands, while the 
resident proprietors, having a twofold interest in appropri- 
ations for roads and other public concerns, would favor 
larger appropriations and the pursuit of a more liberal 
policy in the general management of the corporation. By 
conciliation and sometimes by the postponement of con- 
tested measures an open issue was avoided, leaving the pro- 
prietors at greater liberty for a contest over the place of 
holding their meetings. The resident proprietors constantly 
increasing in number had now maintained the meetings in 
Dorchester Canada without much interruption for several 
years. There was no injustice in their claim that the minor- 
ity and wealthier part of the propriety could come to the 
plantation to attend meetings with less sacrifice than would 
attend them in a journey to Boston. At a meeting con- 
vened in Dorchester Canada in April, ITIi.'), an unusual 
amount of business was transacted, including a vote that 
nothing be done about holdins: future meetinirs in some other 
place. The defeated party on the pretence, real or imagi- 
nary, that "they were hindered from giving their attend- 
ance by reason of the extraordinary freshets at that time 



88 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

which rendered travelling thither impracticable," immedi- 
ately called another meeting. In the warrant for this meet- 
ing there was an article providing for the reconsideration of 
all that w^as done at the April meeting. They assembled at 
the meeting-house May 8. On account of a former vote a 
meeting could not be called elsewhere. In the organization 
of the meeting Seth Sumner, a non-resident proprietor, was 
chosen moderator in place of either Elisha Coolidge, Dea- 
con Moses Foster or Samuel Fellows, wdio had frequently 
been selected at former meetings. Without a vote on any 
other question the meeting was adjourned to meet in Rox- 
bury, and having met at that place was adjourned to meet 
in Boston. 

The Boston party continued the meeting over a year, 
holding by adjournment eleven sessions. They elected 
Richard Dana clerk in place of Samuel Wilder of Ashburn- 
ham who was elected in 1763 to succeed Nathan Hey wood of 
Lunenburg ; they repealed all the measures adopted at the 
April meeting and voted that future meetings should be held 
in Boston until otherwise ordered. Not until 1771 was 
another meeting of the proprietors convened at Ashburnham, 
when Samuel Wilder was again elected clerk and was con- 
tinued in office until the organization w^as practically extinct. 
Benjamin Church of Boston remained the treasurer until 
1763 and was succeeded by Caleb Wilder of Lancaster and 
b}'' Jonathan Samson of Ashburnham. 

It is certain that both parties were united in a vote passed 
a short time before the troubles began. It was proposed, 
in 1761, to "grant Mr. Taylor any certain sum of money 
to enable him to build a grist mill in the northeasterly part 
of said township and it passed in the negative unanimously." 
On the question of mills and the general policy of having 
any further connection with them there was the fullest meas- 



A RECORD OF SETTLEMENTS. 89 

ure of sympathy and concord. At the previous meeting it 
was voted to "grant James Colman about one acre and one 
hundred rods lying between the house where he now dwells 
and the saw mill yard which belongs to Moses Foster Jr. 
and Zimri Hey wood." The records also declare that such 
favor to Mr. Coleman was on account of "his good service 
in said township in promoting the settlement there." This 
land was in the northeast part of the town and is now in 
Ashby. 

In 1761 the General Court so far recognized the settle- 
ment as to impose a province tax upon the lands and inhab- 
itants of the township. The proprietors instructed a 
committee to apply to the Court for relief. The petition, 
containing imformation of interest, is preserved in the Court 
Records : 

A Petition of Joshua Henshaw Esqr. and others, proprietors 
of the plantation called Dorchester Canada, Setting forth : That 
in the year 17G1 the General Court laid a Tax upon them of 
£44-7-1. and three 3'early Taxes since. That the Lands in such 
a new Plantation do not yield the produce as in those that are 
more cultivated, and are subject to early and late frosts, inso- 
much that the Inhabitants have not been able to raise one half 
of their bread corn, but are obliged to travel to other places to 
purchase it. That they are, besides, subject to the ravages of 
wild beasts, whereby they lose more young Cattle, Sheep and 
Swine than the value of any Province Tax that could equitably be 
laid upon them and pra3'ing Relief. 

The Early Settlers. — A complete register of the early 
settlers of this town cannot now be made. The records in 
the incidental employment of names present no accurate list 
and there is no account of an enumeration of persons or of 
families at any time during the infancy of the settlement. 
The information which establishes the residence in this town 



90 HISTORY OF ASHBUliNEIAM. 

of the persons hereafter named has been gleaned from many 
sources. In 1751, when the proprietors informed the Gen- 
eral Court there were thirty men or more residing in the 
township, Timothy Mossman and Asher Cutler had removed 
to Sudbury, from whence they came, and did not subse- 
quently return. Thomas Gamble, who was here in 1739, 
had disappeared and in some other settlement was recount- 
ing his loss by fire. The man employed by Benjamin 
Bellows and his associates on Bluefield grant, and to whom 
tradition assigns the name of Johnson, is not mentioned after 
the desertion of the settlement in 1744. Ephraim Wheeler 
of Lancaster who was the managing proprietor of the block- 
house was frequently here until 17 GO, but probably never 
resided in the township. 

Moses Foster is found residing here in 1750, but the date 
of his arrival is not definitely known. About 1750 he 
removed from the northeast part of the township to land 
granted him near the old common where he was a licensed 
innholder in 1751 and in later years. His name will fre- 
quently occur in the continued record of the settlement. 

James Coleman with a numerous family left Ipswich, Mas- 
sachusetts, 1743, and the same year united with the church 
in Lunenburg. He is claimed as a resident of Lunenburg 
until 1760, but it is certain that he early settled on his land 
in the northeast part of the township, now in Ashby, and 
very near if not adjacent to the first clearing of Moses Fos- 
ter. Possibly when apprehensive of danger he retired within 
the line of the fortifications and being found a member of the 
church in Lunenburg, it was erroneously presumed that he 
was a resident of that place. He was a prominent man in 
the settlement and was later a valued citizen of Ashby. 

Elisha Coolidge came from Cambridge, 1752. He prob- 
ably assisted in building the mills and for a time owned an 



A. RECORD OF SETTLEMENTS. 91 

interest in them which he conveyed to Nathan Dennis, 
December 13, 1752. He was a licensed innholder 1759, 
1760 and 1761. He was one of the original members of the 
church and will be frequently named in the following pages. 

Nathan Dennis was from Dudley. He owned the mills 
and was an innholder 1753 and 1754. He returned to 
Dudley about 1756. 

Jeremiah Foster removed from Harvard and settled on 
the Gamaliel Hadley farm in 1753. In 1757 he was chosen 
a committee to repair the roads and subsequently his name 
is frequently repeated in the records. 

John Bates, Benjamin Spaulding and Zimri Heywood 
were residents of the northeast part previous to 1760. In 
1767 they were included within the new town of Ashby. 

Thomas Wheeler was here and an innholder in 1756. He 
was one of the original members of the church, moderator 
of the second town meeting, 1765, and probably moved 
away that year. 

]\Ioses Foster, Jr., was in Dorchester Canada in 1758 and 
perhaps came with his father several years earlier. His 
eldest child died here in 1760. The family removed to Shel- 
burne in 1771. He lived in the northeast part of the town 
and in 1760 he and Zimri Heywood had a mill there. 

Unity Brown was a resident here in 1759, but the date of 
his arrival is not known. The marriage of Unity Brown 
of Dorchester Canada and Rebecca Arnold of Shrewsbury 
August 16, 1759, is entered on the records of Shrewsbury 
and Lunenburg. He united with the church at its organiza- 
tion but his name is not anywhere found after 1762. 

Enos Jones from Lunenburg settled on the Bluefield 
grant in 1761. He was then nineteen years of age and 
was not married until several years later. A part of the 
land owned by him has remained in the possession of his 
descendants until within the memory of many now living. 



92 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Samuel Fellows removed from Harvard, 1762. He set- 
tled in the centre of the town and built the first mill on 
Phillips' brook. It was located just north of the blacksmith 
shop and very near the site of the shop of Rockwood & 
Walker that was burned in 1883. With the father came Sam- 
uel Fellows, Jr. They removed ten years later to Shelbm-ne. 

Samuel Nichols from Harvard bouo^ht the mills at the out- 
let of Naukeag lake which had been owned by Dana, Cool- 
idge and Dennis. In 1777 he removed to Walpole, New 
Hampshire. 

William Whitcoml), also from Harvard, settled on land 
which was later known as the Geori>:e Howard farm. For 
several years he was one of the most active and influential 
men in the place, but later his name is seldom found in the 
records. He died here at an advanced age. 

Jonathan Samson, like many of the other settlers, was 
one of the proprietors and had owned a right in the township 
sometime previous to his settlement on the Merrick Whit- 
ney farm in 1762. It is possible he was here before the 
date given. The birth of his eldest child May 7, 1759, is 
recorded here, but there is no assertion that the child was 
born in Dorchester Canada. 

Stephen Ames settled east of Rice pond, as early as 1762. 
He removed from town in 1777. 

Tristram Cheney was from Sudbury. He was an active 
citizen. While he remained no one exercised a more con- 
trolling influence in the direction of public affiiirs. He 
settled where Horace W. Houston now lives, and in 1774 
removed to Antrim, New Hampshire. 

William Joyner was probably from Sudbury. He was 
here in 1763, town clerk 1766, 1767 and 1768, united with 
the church, 1769, but there is no record of his death or of 
his dismissal from the church. In 1770 he was not taxed 
and it is probable he removed late in 1769 or early in 1770. 



A RECORD OF SETTLEMENTS. 93 

Ebenezer Conant, from Concord, settled probably near and 
west of Rice pond. He was residing here in 1763. He was 
sixty-four years of age at that time. With him came his 
son, Ebenezer Conant, Jr. 

John Martin, Ebenezer Hemenway, Abraham Smith, 
Deliverance Davis, who settled on the David Russell place, 
now owned by Mrs. Russell, George Dickerson, Jeremiah 
Brido;e and a few others, arrived here so near the close of 
the annals of Dorchester Canada that they should be counted 
among the early arrivals in the new town of Ashburnham. 

There is evidence that a few families were residing on the 
Rolfe, the Starr and the Converse grants at an early date, 
but there is found no mention of the names. 

During the arrivals of the settlers who have been named, 
the Germans were making substantial progress in the settle- 
ment of Lexington grant. They were independent of the 
proprietors, and except in the sympathies of a new settle- 
ment, they were a community by themselves. 

Ye Dutchmen, — The German settlement in the eastern 
part of the town was a substantial contribution to the intelli- 
gence and population of the settlement. These emigrants 
were educated people, equal in character and ability to their 
contemporaries in the township. They were in full sympa- 
thy with the other settlers in religion, in hatred of tyranny 
and in zealous defence of their political rights. In the 
Revolution no portion manifested a livelier interest or con- 
tributed more in treasure, sacrifice or service. They had 
fled from tyranny in their native land and were quick to 
recognize and resist oppression in any form. The sturdy, 
frugal, industrious characteristics of the fathers have been 
renewed in their children. From the first they have been 
received into full fellowship and admitted on equal terms to 
all social and public privileges. By assimilation and inter- 



94 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM, 

marriage, they are no longer a distinct people, yet the im- 
press of this element of the population of the town has been 
healthful and salutary. There remains an impulse not to 
mention the German settlers in a separate paragra})h and in 
no manner distinguish them from other members of a 
cemented common community. The impulse would prevail 
save from a fear that the omission of particular reference 
would falsely be ascribed to an indifterent recognition of 
their character and worth. The events which influenced 
their settlement in this town are not concealed. They were 
in Lexington in 1757 and not destitute of money. Their 
imperfect knowdedge of the English language and other 
reasons, at once apparent, urged them to settle in one com- 
munity if sufficient land could be found at a convenient 
point. The town of Lexington offered to sell them one 
thousand acres of land in a continuous tract. They bought 
it and came here. If Lexington grant in 1735 had been 
located in any other place they would have gone there. The 
deed bears date of December, 1757, and is recorded in 
March, 1758. The original grantees were Henry Hole, 
Christian William Whiteman, Jacob SchofFe, Simon Roda- 
mell, Peter Perry, John Rich and John Kiberling. All of 
these, except Peter Perry, whose name does not appear 
again, immediately settled on the Lexington grant. At the 
same time or the following year, Jacob Selham, Andrew 
Windrow, Henry Stack, widow Constantine and Jacob 
Barkardst settled near them. John Oberlock and Philip 
Vorback bought land and resided south of the old common 
and near the site of Gushing Academy. In 1774, Jacob 
Wilker removed from Boston to the farm still owned and 
occupied by his descendants. These were born in Germany, 
and Lexington' grant, w^here most of them resided, soon 
became known as the Dutch farms. 



A RECORD OF SKTTLEMP^NTS. 95 

John Kiblinwcr — the name is now written Kibling: — first 
settled in Maine but soon removed to Boston. In 1758, with 
his wife and three chiUlren, he came to Dorchester Canada. 
He was prominent in public affairs until his death, April 4, 
1777, aged about fifty-five years. This family first located 
north of the Wilker farm, but subsequently they exchanged 
farms with the Constantines and removed to the farm now of 
George A. Willard. 

Constantine. — This family consisted of a widow and her 
children, the husband and father having died in Boston a 
short time previous to their removal to this town. She died 
April 25, 1782, aged nearly eighty years. Jacob Constan- 
tine, a son, married July 5, 1773, a daughter of Christian 
William Whiteman. He died from injuries received by 
being thrown from a bridge in Ashby, March 8, 1814, aged 
sixty-one years. As previously stated, this family finally 
settled on a farm still associated with the name and situated 
north of the farm of Joseph W. Wilker. 

Christian William Whiteman, or Whitman, settled on the 
farm now of Warren E. Marble. He was an active, intelli- 
gent man. In this family there were six children, three of 
whom were born in this town. In 1796, the aged parents 
removed to Haverhill, New Hampshire, where one of their 
sons was then residing. 

Jacob Schofle resided near the Whitemans until 1777 wdien 
he removed to Haverhill, New Hampshire. While he re- 
mained, his name receives honorable mention in the records. 

Henry Hole assumed the name of Hall. He was forty 
years of age at the time he settled on the Captain Lemuel 
Whitney farm now owned by Levi E. Flint of Ashby. He 
died in this town 1794, aged eighty-three years. His 
eldest son was born on the ocean. 



96 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Simon Rodamell had a farm near the home of Jacob 
Schoffe. In 1777 he presented letters of recommendation 
from a Lutheran church in Germany and was admitted to 
the church in this town. In later years the name has been 
changed to Rodimon. He died 1813, aged ninety-three 
years. 

John Rich, one of the early German settlers, was an active 
citizen while he remained in the township. He was living 
in Ashburnham in 1774, but previous to 1778, he removed 
to Haverhill, New Hampshire. 

Andrew Windrow. — To end a season of discontent con- 
cerning his German name, he found a glorious summer in 
the name of Winter. His farm was northeast from the 
centre of the town. He died November 22, 1792, aged 
seventy years. His widow died 1814. Andrew Winter, 
Jr., resided on a farm that was annexed to Ashby in 1792. 

Jacob Selham resided on the borders of the German settle- 
ment. When Ashby was incorporated, he was included in 
that town. The name was changed to Sellenham. He died 
1769, aged sixty years. His son, Henry Sellenham, is fre- 
quently mentioned in the records of Ashby. 

Henry Stack, later known as Steele, is said to have been 
buried in this town. No record of his death has been dis- 
covered. 

The Lexington grant was originally purchased by Henry 
Hall, Christian William Whiteman, Jacob Schoffe, Simon 
Rodamell, Peter Perry, John Rich and John Kiblinger. 
Peter Perry immediately sold his interest to his associates 
and the land was divided among them. James Locke of 
Townsend, later of Ashby, was employed to survey and 
divide the land into lots. About one hundred and fifty acres 
of meadow were reserved as common lands and the remainder 
was divided into fourteen lots of unequal areas. 



A RECORD OF SETTLEMENTS. 97 

In the distribution of land among the six remaining pro- 
prietors, to Henry Hall was assigned a lot in the northeast 
corner and a lot near the centre of the south line. Christian 
William Whiteman received a lot on the east line, south of 
the first lot of jNIr. Hall, a lot near the centre of the north 
line, and a small lot near the centre of the west line. Jacob 
Schoffe took a lot near the centre of the east line and south of 
Mr. Whiteman's first lot, and a lot of irregular outline in the 
southwest corner. John Rich became the owner of a lot on 
the east line south of the first lot of Mr. Schoife and a gener- 
ous lot in the centre of the grant. To John Kiblinger was 
given a lot in the southeast and another in the northwest 
corners of the grant. To Simon Rodamell was awarded two 
lots near the centre of the grant, one north and one south of 
the lot of Mr. Rich and a small lot near the centre of the 
west line between lands of Mr. Whiteman and Mr. Schofie. 

The Province Line. — The boundaries of Dorchester 
Canada were established in January, 1736. Five years later 
the province line was run which severed a considerable tract 
of land from the township and gave it to New Hampshire. 
Allowing for a variation of the needle, the province line 
was run north 80° west, while the northern boundary of the 
township was located north 78° west. The difference be- 
tween the town course across the township would lead to a 
divergence of about one hundred rods. The province line 
entered Dorchester Canada about ten rods south of the 
northeast corner and passing westward, cutting wider and 
wider, it severed one hundred and ten rods at the north- 
west corner. The detached area was two thousand three 
hundred and forty rods in length with an average width of 
sixty rods, amounting to eight hundred and seventy-seven 
acres. In the northeast corner of the township there had 
been laid out twelve second division lots which were clipped 



98 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

by the province line. On the northern side of the township 
no other lots had been laid out. Through the remainder of 
its course the province line took tribute from the undivided 
lands. By subsequent grants, the proprietors make restitu- 
tion to the owners of the mutilated lots, but their loss from 
the common land was never compensated. Twice they 
chose a committee to petition the General Court for remu- 
neration, and as late as 17 64, they voted to have the claim 
revived. It had been delayed too long. The era of grants 
was ended. In the prosecution of this claim the proprietors 
joined another which arose from the inadequate allowance 
for the ponds in the original survey of the township. The 
proprietors informed the General Court that the allowance 
of three hundred acres which was then made was an error at 
once apparent, as indeed it was. They submitted an esti- 
mate of the several ponds in the township made by Caleb 
Wilder and Nathan Hey wood. This ancient reference to the 
ponds is of interest : 

The Great pond in Dorchester Canada that 

the mill stands on [Upper Naukeag] 680 acres 

In the Lower Manockeeg 330 " 

the long pond by mount Hunger hill 270 " 

In one of the great Watatock ponds 70 " 

In the other " " " 30 " 

In one of the little AYatatock ponds 30 '^ 

In the pond by the third Division School Lot 80 " 
The pond in the Southwest corner of the 

township 100 " 
That part of the Menomanack lying in Dor- 
chester Canada 100 " 
Taken off b}' the Province line from Dor- 
chester Canada 877 " 

In these statements it was claimed that the proprietors 
had lost one thousand three hundred and ninety acres on 



A RECORD OF SETTLEMENTS. 99 

account of the ponds and eight hundred and seventy-seven 
acres by the establishment of the province line. 

The contributions of land to Ashby and to Gardner, when 
those towns were incorporated, will receive mention here^ 
after. The northeast corner of the original township before 
it suffered any dismemberment was about two miles east of 
the present bound. The southwest corner was at Gardner 
Centre. The northwest corner was within Monomonock 
lake, in Rindge. In the estimate of losses exhibited to the 
General Court there is an error of one hundred acres. That 
part of Monomonock lake which fell within the limits of the 
old survey is reckoned a pai-t of eight hundred and seventy- 
seven acres cut oft' by the province line and is also included 
in the losses on account of the ponds. 

The Manufacture of Potash. — One hundred years 
ago potash was made in all the new towns, and for obvious 
reason the business was continued until the supply of ashes 
became limited. A sketch of Ashburnham found in Whit- 
ney's History of Worcester County, 1793, contains the 
assertion, "here are potash works and have been from its 
infancy ; and the first complete ton of this article carried 
into, market was from Ashburnham." It is probable that 
this sketch was contributed bv Rev. Dr. Cushino;. The 
authorship is reflected both in the substance and in the man- 
ner of expression, and many of the details are repeated in 
nearly the same words in his Half Century Sermon, twenty- 
five years later. Dr. Cushing never wrote carelessly and 
the statement can be accepted without qualification. The 
earliest reference to this manufacture appears in a vote of the 
proprietors, 1753, offering to Benjamin Frobisher one right 
of land in the township, whenever he commenced the manu- 
facture there and gave four shillings, old tenor, for each 
bushel of ashes delivered at his place of business. The 



100 HISTOKY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

price named was equivalent to nine cents in silver. At a 
later meeting, a committee was instructed to purchase a right 
of land for this purpose at an approaching sale of land for 
the payment of taxes. Subsequently, it was proposed that 
the proprietors agree to deliver 3000 bushels each year at 
6 J pence, or near 8^ cents per bushel. The grant of land to 
encourage this enterprise was never made, nor is there any 
evidence that Mr. Frobisher ever located in the township. 
It is more probable that this enterprise in its infancy was 
encouraged by Caleb Wilder of Lancaster, a man of ability 
and enterprise. He was one of the proprietors of Dorchester 
Canada, and exercised a controlling influence in its affairs. 
He was engaged in the manufacture of potash in several 
places, and was the first to employ kettles in forwarding the 
process of evaporation, and it was here he manufactured that 
historical ton of potash, at that time the largest shipment 
that had been made at one time. One of the early and 
longest continued works of this character was situated nearly 
opposite the No. 1 school-house. The water for the leaches 
was conveyed from a spring not far from the Powder House. 
At this place Joseph Jewett and Ivers Jewett manufactured 
large quantities of potash. The works were under the 
supervision of John Woods. Captain Lemuel Whitney 
and several others were engaged in this manufacture until 
a comparatively recent date. 

The Distribution or Lands. — Very early in the pro- 
ceedings of the proprietors, the first division lots of fifty 
acres and the second division lots of eighty acres were laid 
out and became the private property of the several proprie- 
tors. Exclusive of the six grants within the township, over 
which the proprietors had no control, the undivided land, 
comprising nearly two-thirds of the township, was the 
common property of the corporation. Passing over many 



A RECORD OF SETTLEMENTS. 101 

votes and the selection of committees to lay out additional 
lands which produced no results, the first substantial accom- 
plishment was in 1762, when a third division lot of eighty 
acres was assigned to the owner of each right. A few 
of these lots were assigned previously but there was no 
general distribution until this date. A fourth and a fifth 
division soon followed. The last were called equivalent lots, 
for the reason that the more valuable ones were given to the 
persons who had drawn inferior fourth division lots. After 
these distributions of land, there remained about twenty 
small tracts of land in different parts of the township, in- 
cluding five islands in Upper Naukeag. These remained 
common property until an auction sale in 1781. At this 
sale a tract of fifty acres was purchased by Rev. Jolni Cush- 
ins:. This was the original number 51 in the first division 
which the proprietors allowed Deacon Moses Foster to 
relinquish and lay out another lot bearing the same number 
a short distance northeast of the common. The great island 
was sold to Edward Withington and the four smaller islands 
were purchased by Timothy Fisher. The common lands 
were the capital of the corporation of the proprietors, and 
when this was all disposed of the organization was dissolved. 
The owner of each right in the township had received five 
tracts of land and had been required to pay one-sixtieth of 
all the taxes assessed from time to time. When the remain- 
ing lands were sold and the debts liquidated, there was 
remaining in the treasury a sum of money which was divided 
among the proprietors, and on each right was paid £2-10-2. 
From a financial stand-point, if the value of the land and this 
insignificant dividend exceeded the amount of taxes assessed 
from time to time, the enterprise was successful. But in 
forwarding and solidifying the settlement, in extending the 
fruits of organization, and in their agency in the control of 



102 HISTORY OF ASHBURNIIAM. 

public affairs the proprietors were inspired by loftier pur- 
poses and nobler aims. 

The following table presents a list of the owners of the 
several rights when the propriety was organized and the 
first division of lands was made. Compared with the list 
in Chapter II., it is found that sixteen persons who were 
admitted as grantees of the township had sold their interest 
in the grant previous to the early meetings of the proprie- 
tors. The right-hand column gives the name of some 
subsequent owner of the same right. Five rights were 
continued in the same name throughout the existence of the 
organization. In some instances a right was owned by 
several persons in succession. In filling the right-hand 
column in such cases, the name of the person in whose 
possession the right remained the longest time has been 
selected. 

This list of proprietors introduces many names which 
became intimately associated with the continued history of 
the town. Zimri Heywood, Ebenezer Conant, Jonathan 
Samson, Samuel Fellows, James Coleman, David Taylor, 
James Spaulding, Nathan Melvin, John Bates, Jonathan 
Gates, Nathan Dennis, Elisha Coolidge, Moses Foster, 
Josiah Wilder, Jonathan Winchester, Stephen Ames and 
David Cliirk were well-known resident proprietors. Many 
of the non-resident proprietors were succeeded by their sons 
who sul)se(juently occupied the lands ac(|uired by inheritance. 
Among this class the families of Wilder, Stearns, Kelton, 
Dana and Crehore are conspicuous. 

The families who settled on any of the six minor grants 
do not appear in these records of the proprietors, and not 
until the act of incorporation did they constitute a part of 
the body politic. 



A RECORD OF SETTLEMENTS. 



103 



ORIGINAL I'ROPRIETORS. 



LATKR OWNERS OF THE 
SAME RIGHT. 



Timothy Mossman, 
Elislia Tilestone, 
William Cooper, 
Andrew Wilder, 
Edward Sumner, 
Josei)h Triscott, 
John Swift, 
Ministry, 
School. 

Hezekiah Barber, 
Samuel Blake, 
Edward Hartwell, 

Thomas Wilder, 

Joseph Weeks, 
Josiaii Baker, 
Ebenezer Crane, 
Hezekiah Barber, 
Joseph Warren, 
Isaac Royal, 
Timothy Tilestone, 
Isaac Royal, 
Matthias Evans, 
John Andrews, 
Thomas 'lilestone, 
Kathan Heywood, 
Joseph Wilder, Esq., 
Benjamin Bird, Jr., 
Ralph Pope, 
Humphrey Atherton, 
Nathaniel Blake, 
James Mears, 
John Crehore, 
Isaac How, 
Robert Redman, 
Thomas Tilestone, 
Thomas Tilestone, 
Oliver Wilder, 
Benjamin Sumner, 
Joseph VVheelock, 
Ebenezer Clapp, 
John Shepard, 
William White, 
Samuel Henshaw, 
William Cooper, 
Nehemiah Clapp, 
Jonathan Dwight, 
Edward Kelton, 
Samuel Butt, 



1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

(5 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

U 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 
36 
37 
38 
39 
40 
41 
42 
43 
44 
45 
46 
47 
48 



35 
45 
49 
24 
29 
47 
20 
11 
12 
58 
17 
14 

41 

56 
42 
22 
18 

3 
52 

8 
43 

4 
30 

2 
37 

7 
26 
57 
31 
33 
40 

6 
23 

5 
39 
60 
32 
53 
16 
59 

9 
55 

1 
28 
25 
63 
50 
44 



7 
39 
23 
12 
GO 
18 
53 
62 
63 
55 
17 
14 

54 

56 
44 
48 
47 
20 
16 
28 
42 
50 
21 

9 
15 
31 
49 
11 
30 
32 
26 

6 
61 
33 
52 
36 
46 

5 
19 
10 

4 
41 
40 
43 
35 

1 
34 

3 



32 
12 
35 
55 
13 
45 
19 
62 
63 
21 
43 
60 

20 

22 
24 

6 

7 
42 
32 
23 
17 
10 
36 
26 
31 
38 

9 
46 
30 
40 
51 
50 
61 
18 
33 

5 
41 
49 

3 
57 
48 
56 
28 

8 

2 
34 
11 
47 



Zimri Heywood. 
William Babcock. 
Joshua Henshaw. 
William Scott. 
Samuel Sumner. 
John Moffatt. 
Eben'r Conant. 



Caleb Dana. 
John Moffatt. 
Jonathan Samson. 
Recompense Wards- 

worth Stimson. 

do do do 
Samuel Fellows. 
William Bowdoin. 
James Coleman. 
Samuel Fellows. 
Samuel Fellows. 

Gordon. 

Caleb Dana. 

Grigsjs. 

David Tavlor. 
Caleb Wilder. 
Caleb Wilder. 
Caleb Wilder. 
James Spaulding. 
Ebenezer Pope. 
Nathan Heywood. 
Isaac Stearns. 
Samuel Dwight. 
John Crehore. 
Isaac Stearns. 
Isaac Stearns. 
Nathan Melvin. 
Caleb Dana. 
John Bates. 
Benjamin Sumner. 
.Jonathan Gates. 
Benjamin Hammett. 
Oliver Wilder. 
Caleb Dana. 
Caleb Dana. 
Alexander Hill. 
Nehemiah Clapp. 
Nathan Dennis. 
Heirs. 
Elisha Coolidge. 



104 



HISTORY OF ASIIBURNHAM. 





o 
5 


o 


"A 

O 

CO 

l-H 


o 


/> 

H 
O 
►J 

H 
•A 
W 


LATER OWNERS OF THE 


ORIGINAL PUOPRIETORS. 


•IT 


S 




iH 






BS- 


o 

o 

u 




c 

s 

H 


O 


5 


SAME RIGHT. 


Benjamin Jewett, 


49 


46 


61 


45 


27 


Jonathan Gates. 


Joshua George, 


50 


19 


4 


2 


25 


ElishaCoolidge. 


Robert Cook, 


51 


36 


55 


27 


15 


Moses Foster. 


Thomas Lyon, Jr., 


52 


48 


56 


13 


53 


Josiah Wilder. 


Richard Witliington, 


53 


61 


44 


37 


4 


Henry Coolidge. 


James Atherton, 


54 


51 


58 


57 


44 


Caleb Dana. 


Setli Sumner, 


55 


62 


24 


51 


14 


Caleb Dana. 


James Swift, 


56 


21 


23 


29 


54 


James Swift. 


First Minister, 


57 


10 


53 


24 


16 


Jonathan Winchester. 


Bartholomew Gould, 


58 


13 


35 


22 


37 


Moses Burgess. 


Samuel Kneeland, 


59 


54 


49 


59 


1 


Samuel Kneeland. 


John Robinson, Jr., 


fiO 


27 


60 


25 


59 


Stephen Ames. 


Thomas Tilestone, 


61 


15 


54 


8 


58 


Benjamin Church. 


Thomas Stearns, 


62 


38 


26 


58 


39 


David Clark. 


William Sumner, 


63 


34 


32 


38 


29 


Eben'r Hemenway. 



Many of the non-resident proprietors were men of influ- 
ence and character and during their connection with the 
affairs of this town were actively engaged in other pursuits. 
One of the most influential and useful members of the pro- 
priety was Caleb Wilder. He was a son of the elder Judge 
Joseph Wilder and a lifelong resident of Lancaster. Own- 
ing several rights in the plantation, from an early date until 
after the incorporation of the town, he continued to exercise 
a controlling influence in the general direction of its affairs. 
He introduced the manufacture of potash here and was a 
leading spirit in all the concerns of the settlement. In 1765 
he was styled major and probably held other commissions 
in this line of service. He was a deacon of the church and 
honorably filled many positions of trust in his native town. 
He died June 19, 1776, aged sixty-six j'ears. Two of his 
sons, Caleb, Jr., and Samuel, became useful citizens of this 
town. In an eminent degree they reflected the sterling 
character and marked al)ility of their honored father. 



A RECORD OF SETTLEMENTS. 105 

Joseph Wilder, another son of Judge Joseph Wilder, was 
born in Lancaster, 1708. He was a surveyor, a magistrate, 
a colonel in the militia, and after the death of his father he 
was also one of the Justices of the County Court. He set- 
tled in the North Precinct or Lancaster New Grant which 
was incorporated under the name of Leominster in 1740. 
Forgetting that Leominster originally was a part of Lancas- 
ter, it is sometimes erroneously stated that he removed from 
Lancaster to Leominster in 1740. While a proprietor of 
Dorchester Canada, for many years he was also the owner 
of the Starr and the Converse grants. He died September 
12, 1776. 

Oliver Wilder was a cousin of Judge Wilder, Sen. An 
early proprietor, he was frequently named on important 
committees and after the death of Thomas Tilestone he 
was often chosen to preside at the meetings of the cor- 
poration. Like nearly all the Wilders he was a military 
man and rose to the rank of colonel. He died March 8, 
1765. 

Thomas Wilder remained a proprietor but a short time ; 
his right was subsequently owned by Caleb Dana. 

The Sumners were extensively engaged in buying and 
selling land in other townships. Seth Sumner was the only 
one of this name who attended any considerable number of 
the meetings or was in any way identified with the settle- 
ment beyond the purchase and sale of lands. 

Caleb Dana was of Cambridge, where he was born 1G97, 
and died April 28, 1769. Becoming a proprietor about 
1750, at one time he owned nearly four thousand acres or 
over one-eighth of the township. He was a magistrate, and 
at his home and in the councils of the proprietors an active, 
energetic man. His land in this town was subsequently 
owned by his son George Dana, who settled here about 
1776 and died in this town April 11, 1787. 



106 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Richard Dana, a brother of Caleb Dana, resided in Cam- 
bridge ; born June 26, 1700, and died May 17, 1772. He 
was a graduate of Harvard University and an able lawyer. 
Several years he was clerk of the propriety, leaving a clear, 
ornate record. His son, Francis Dana, and grandson, 
Richard H. Dana, were men of national reputation. 

Henry Coolidge, a brother of Elisha Coolidge, who set- 
tled here, owned a right several years. He married a 
daughter of Caleb Dana and resided in Cambridge. 

Joshua Henshaw, Esq., of Boston, as he was styled when 
named in the records, was probably the same who was 
elected to the Council in 1768. On account of his patri- 
otism he was not recognized by the royal Governor and was 
later one of the selectmen of Boston. 

Rev. John Swift of Framingham married a sister of 
Thomas Tilestone. An original proprietor he continued his 
interest in the township until his death in 1745. In his. will 
he gave to his son. Rev. John Swift, Jr., of Acton, "his right 
of land in Dorchester Canada," who remained a proprietor 
until the common lands were distributed. He was admitted 
a grantee on account of the service of his brother William 
Swift of Dorchester who perished in the expedition under 
Sir William Phipps in 1690. 

Joseph Wheelock of Lancaster, and after 1740 of Leom- 
inster, served on important committees in the earlier pro- 
ceedings, but after 1760 his right was owned by Jonathan 
Gates who became a settler. 

Rev. William Cooper was pastor of the Brattle Street 
Church, Boston. He was the original owner of two rights 
which were subsequently owned b}^ Alexander Hill and 
Joshua Henshaw. 

Isaac Stearns was not a proprietor until about 1760. He 
was a son of Hon. John Stearns of Billerica where he was 



A RECORD OF SETTLEMENTS. 107 

born June 16, 1722, and there resided until his death April 
23, 1808. He was a representative, a senator, a magistrate 
and a most useful citizen. By his associates in the propriety 
he was held in great esteem and was frequently named on 
important committees. Two of his sons, Isaac and William, 
subsequently settled in this town. 

With the close of this chapter we leave the non-resident 
proprietors in the retirement of their homes. Many of the 
later proprietors became residents and in the following 
chapters it will appear that the propriety introduced to the 
town a considerable number of its most valued and useful 
citizens. The proprietors left the town many legacies. An 
unwearied effort to forward the settlement had been a con- 
stant aim and purpose. The meeting-house, the mills, the 
division of the toAvn into lots, and an initial system of roads 
must be placed to their credit. In the proceedings of their 
meetings the settlers became familiar with method and sys- 
tem which they subsequently called to their aid in the man- 
agement of town affairs. They left an impress and imparted 
a character to the settlement that reflects in pleasing lines 
the worth of the men and the spirit of the organization. 



CHAPTER IV. 

FKOM THE INCORPOEATION TO THE KEVOLUTION. 

IKCORPOEATION. THE PETITIONS OF THE INHABITANTS AND OF THE 

PKOPKIETORS. THE NAME OF ASHFIELD PROPOSED. THE CHARTER. 

EARLY TOWN MEETINGS. — ASHBT INCORPORATED. CONTRIBUTION 

TO ASHBY. NEW ARRIVALS. SALARY OF THE MINISTER. -p- SCHOOLS. 

ABATEMENT OF THE PROVINCE TAX. REVOLUTIONARY FLASHES. 

DEATH OF FIRST MINISTER. THE COMMON. TAX LIST 1770. 

PRICE OF COMMODITIES. A POUND AND FIELD DRIVERS. — GARDNER 

FIRST SUGGESTED. WARNING OUT. 

AsHBURNHAM was incorporated February 22, 1765. In 
this decisive measure several interests were involved. The 
concern of the non-resident proprietors in an act of incor- 
poration was measured by its probable effect upon the value 
of their lands in the township ; to the resident proprietors 
with an equal interest in the value of lands were tendered the 
responsibilities and privileges of citizenship in the proposed 
town ; there were also a few residents who were not pro- 
prietors and whose only interest was of a personal character, 
and last there were the settlers on the independent grants or 
farms, as they were commonly called. Nearly all of the last 
named class were the Germans, who had settled on the Lex- 
ington grant. Until the town was incorporated they had 
constituted a little republic and were as independent of the 
proprietors as were the inhabitants of the neighboring towns. 
They built roads within their grant and managed their inter- 
nal affairs with no intermediate authority between themselves 

108 



FlIOM THE INCORPOKATION TO THE REVOLUTION. 109 

and the laws of the province. It was the office of an act of 
incorporation to join and cement these several interests and 
give to every citizen an equal voice in the management of 
public affairs. The measure of deliberation and conference 
which led to a union of these interests in the solicitation for 
incorporation cannot be determined. There is no evidence 
of any discord in the progress of these proceedings, yet it 
is certain that the resident proprietors were the first to pro- 
pose the measure. Their petition was considered by the 
General Court as early as June 7, 1763, when it was 
resolved that the prayer of the petition of the inhabitants of 
Dorchester Canada to be incorporated be granted, and that 
they have leave to bring in a bill. At a meeting of the propri- 
etors in May, 1764, it was decided to apply to the General 
Court for an act of incorporation. Richard Dana, Joshua 
Henshaw and Caleb Dana were chosen to present their peti- 
tion. To this committee, Samuel Fellows, Elisha Coolidge, 
Jonathan Samson and Samuel Nichols were joined to rep- 
resent the inhabitants. In accordance with their instructions 
the committee of the proprietors joined by Samuel Nichols 
representing the residents of the township presented the fol- 
lowing petition : 

To his Excel'^y Frauds Bernard Esq"" Capt° general & govern'' 
in chief in & over his Majesty's province of Massachusetts Bay, 
the Hon'ble his Majesty's Council and the Hon"'^ house of repre- 
sentatives in general court assembled at Concord on y^ 5"^ day of 
June Anno Dom. 1764. 

Humbly Sheweth 

The proprietors & inhabitants of that planta- 
tion in the county of Worcester call'd Dorchester Canada That* 
its inhabitants are now increased to such a number as in the 
petitioners humble opinion makes it fiting & Expedient for them 
to be incorporated into a town. That y" s'^ proprietors long since 



no HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

built a meeting house tliere for public worship & for y* space of 
four years last past & more have had an able learned & orthodox 
minisf of y'= gospel settled there whom y" petit" have supported 
hitherto. That y" incorporating y'' s"^ plantation will greatly pro- 
mote the growth thereof by removing the great and unavoidable 
inconveniences which they have hitherto laboured under & will 
continue during their present situation. That for promoting 
their incorporation y" petit" have agreed & voted that a tax of 
three half pence an acre be laid by y' Excel'^ & Hon'' upon 
all y* lands & farms within y'= limits & plan of y*^ s*^ plantation, 
(except y" Cambridge farm, parsonage or ministry lands & y* 
school lands) to continue for y" term of three years from y" 25'^ 
day of Jan^ last, sixty pounds thereof to be annually applied for 
y" paym* of their minister's salary tfey" residue for further finishing 
their meeting house afores*^, Keeping y^ public county road there 
in due repair & for necessarj- charges. 

Wherefore your petitioners pray that the plantation afores*^ 
with all the lands & farms within y"^ plantation and limits thereof 
may be incorporated into a town & that y" inhabitants thereof 
may be invested with y® like power & privileges that other towns 
in this province are invested wilhall. And that y" afores'^ tax as 
agreed upon may be ratified & confirmed. And y"^ petit" as in 
duty bound will ever pray. 

RICd DANA. 

JOSHUA HENSHAW. 

CALEB DANA. 

SAMUEL NICHOLS. 

Cora'"^". 

It is prayed y' y** intended town may be called Ashfleld . 

The request of the petitioners that the nevr town be 
called Ashfield was disregarded by the royal Governor. At 
that date the nobility of England were frequently compli- 
mented in the selection of names for the incorporated towns, 
and Governor Bernard was greatly inclined to this sj^stem 



FROM THE INCORPORATION TO THE REVOLUTION. HI 

of nomenclature. The town of Ashfield in this State 
received its name and its charter only four months after the 
incorporation of this town. In the employment of that 
name it is asserted that the Governor tendered a compliment 
to Lord Thurlow of Ashfield, a member of the king's coun- 
cil. It is possible that some of the proprietors of Dorches- 
ter Canada who were on intimate terms with Governor 
Bernard proposed the name with a knowledge that it was 
one he held in reserve for early use, or with equal proba- 
bility it may be presumed that with more immediate associa- 
tions the inhabitants found in Ashfield a fitting name for a 
town engaged in the manufacture of potash. In either event 
the suo'irestion was of no avail. The General Court, with 
an accommodating regard for an assumed prerogative of the 
Governor, in the act of incorporation, left the name a blank, 
which was subsequently supplied with the name of Ashburn- 
ham which is supposed to be in honor of John, the second 
Earl of Ashburnham. It is a good name and consequently 
better than precious ointment. 

It is probable that the settlers had selected their com- 
mittee in advance, and that they w^ere joined with the other 
committee by the proprietors in courteous recognition of the 
fact. Further evidence of conference appears in a vote of 
the proprietors obligating themselves to pay into the treas- 
ury of the proposed town for a term of years an annual tax 
of three half pence on each acre of land owned by them, 
provided the other lands in the township were taxed at the 
same rate. This agreement between the resident and non- 
resident proprietors, was recognized by the general Court 
and was made a part of the act of incorporation. An 
exception, however, was made by the Legislature of Cam- 
bridge farm, then owned by the town of Cambridge, and for 
that reason it was exempted from the payment of the pro- 



112 HISTOKY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

posed tax. An act of incorporation, with no name of the 
town inserted, passed both houses of the General Court 
February 15, 1765, and four days later the engrossed bill 
bearins; the name of Ashburnham was sent to the Governor 
for approval. The bill was signed February 22, 1765, the 
day that Washington entered upon his thirty-fourth year. 
The act creating a town and vesting it with civic powers 
and privileges, is in the following terms : 

An Act for incorporating a new Plantation in the county of 
Worcester called and known by the name of Dorchester Canada 
into a Town by the name of Ashburnham. 

Whereas the inhabitants of the Plantation called and known by 
the name of Dorchester Canada labour under manj' difficulties and 
inconveniences by reason of their not being incorporated : There- 
fore for the removal thereof — 

Be it enacted by the Governor, Council and House of Repre- 
sentatives, that the Plantation commonly known by the name of 
Dorchester Canada according to the bounds of the original grant 
thereof made by the General Court the first day of June 1736 
being as follows, viz : 

A Tract of Land of six miles square bounding southerly on the 
Narraganset Township N° 2 Westerly on a Township laid out 
for Tilton and others. Northei-ly on a township laid out for 
Ipswich and Easterly part on Townsend and part on Lunenburg. 
It begins at a Hemlock, the northeasterly corner of the said 
Narraganset Town and runs West Eighteen degrees South seven 
miles wanting twenty rods ; from thence North twelve degrees 
East eight miles and two hundred rods ; and from thence East 
twelve degrees South seven miles and one hundred perch ; from 
thence Southerly by said Townsend line one thousand one hundred 
and twenty rods and by Lunenburg line six hundred and twenty 
rods to where it first began. And the Inhabitants of the same 
Plantation together with all the Lands and Farms included within 
the same boundaries be and hereby are incorporated into a town, 



FROM THE INCORPORATION TO THE REVOLUTION. II3 

by the name of Ashburnham, and that the same town be and 
hereby is vested with all the powers privileges and immunities, that 
au}- other of the towns in this Province do or may by law exercise 
and enjo}'. 

And whereas it is agreed between the Inhabitants of the Plan- 
tation aforesaid and the Proprietors of the common and nndivided 
lands there, that a tax of three half pence an acre be laid upon all 
the land within the same (Excepting Cambridge Farm and the 
lands alloted and reserved for the ministry, the first settled minis- 
ter there and the school) for the space of three years from the 
fifth and twentieth day of January one thousand seven hundred 
and sixty-four ; Sixty pounds whereof to be annually applied to 
and for the payment of the minister's salary and the residue 
towards finishing the public meeting house there and for repairing 
the public roads through the said Plantation from and after the 
aforesaid twenty-fifth day of January. 

Be it therefore Enacted, that there be and hereby is granted a 
tax of three half pence an acre to be annually levied and assessed 
upon all the lands in the aforesaid Township (except the lands 
and farms before excepted) for the term aforesaid and for the uses 
and purposes aforesaid and that the proprietors aforesaid be 
thenceforward discharged and free from all further and other 
taxes and expenses on account of those articles and every of 
them, unless by order of this Court. 

And be it further enacted that Joseph Wilder Esq be and he 
hereby is impowered to issue his Warrant to some one of the 
principal Inhabitants of the aforesaid new Town, requiring him to 
warn the Inhabitants thereof to assemble at the aforesaid Meeting 
House sometime in the month of March next to choose all town 
officers b}' law required for carrying on and managing the aflfairs 
of the said town and to assess levy and collect the tax aforesaid. 

In compliance with the duty enjoined in the act, Joseph 
Wilder of Leominster, who was then one of the justices of 
the County Court, issued the following warrant : 



114 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Worcester ss. To Dea Samuel Fellows, one of the principal 
inhabitants of the new town of Ashburnham Greeting : — In his 
Majesty's name you are required to warn all the Inhabitants of 
said Ashburnham to assemble at the Meeting House in said town 
on Monday the twenty-fifth day of this instant March at ten 
o'clock in the forenoon to choose a Moderator to govern said 
meeting and to choose all town officers as before recited and to 
agree how to call meetings for the future. 

Hereof fail not and make due return. 

Given under my hand and seal this eleventh day of March in 
the fifth year of his Majesty's reign Anno Domini 17G5. 
JOSEPH WILDER, 

Justice of the Peace. 

By the terms of his instructions Judge Wilder was 
required to issue his warrant to cue of the principal men of 
the place. The mantle of honor fell upon Deacon Fellows. 
The selection was approved by the town who made choice of 
the same principal inhabitant to preside over the first town 
meeting assembled in Ashburnham. William Whitcomb 
was chosen town clerk, and the principal inhabitants were so 
numerous that five were delegated to perform the duties of 
selectmen. They were Deacon Samuel Fellows, Tristram 
Cheney, James Coleman, John Rich and Jonathan Gates. 
Jonathan Gates was also chosen constable and Samuel 
Wilder collector of taxes. For assessors the town chose 
Samuel Wilder, William Joyner and John Bates. The 
town had no money, but anticipating future possibilities, 
Deacon Samuel Fellows was chosen treasurer. For wardens 
the town selected Deliverance Davis and Jacob Schoife. 
The highway surveyors were Stephen Ames, Tristram 
Cheney, Deliverance Davis, James Coleman and Jonathan 
Samson. To the office of tithingmen with its solemn obli- 
gations the town called Tristram Cheney and John Kiblinger. 



FROM THE INCORPORATION TO THE REVOLUTION. 115 

Elisha Coolidge was made surveyor of boards and shingles 
and also of wheat. For deer reeves the town solicited the 
watchful attention of Nathan Melvin and William Benjamin. 
The custody of weights and measures, if they had any, was 
delegated to Elisha Coolidge. Christian William Whiteman 
and John Samson were selected for "vewers," an office 
relating to the division of lands, and then with the choice of 
Henry Selham and Samuel Foster to officiate as hog reeves, 
the list of officers was completed. The next meeting was 
called in his Majesty's name to assemble on the twenty-ninth 
of April for the transaction of business which could not be 
considered under the former warrant. Thomas Wheeler, 
who was not named in the proceedings of the first meeting, 
was chosen moderator. It was voted to raise six pounds to 
defray town charges and " fifty pounds to make and mend 
private ways." For labor upon the roads it was voted to 
allow two shillings and six pence per day for each man and 
one shilling and four pence for a pair of oxen. The number 
of hours was not stipulated. Samuel Wilder, William Joyner 
and John Bates were chosen to sell the land of delinquent 
tax-payers, and after a vote to let swine run at large the 
ensuing year, in a motion to adjourn they secured an equal 
liberty for themselves. Two other town meetings were 
called before the close of the year. At the former the town 
declined to send a representative to the General Court, and 
at the second meeting Samuel Nichols was chosen collector 
of taxes in room of Samuel Wilder who was out of town 
about one year. In June of this year Tristram Cheney and 
William Joyner certify that they have " perambulated the 
line between Winghendon and Ashburnham." 

With their enlarged privileges under the act of incorpora- 
tion the settlers were met with heavy burdens in the form of 
taxes. The land tax for 1764 and 1765, amounting to £255, 



116 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

a province tax of £30, a county tax £1-11-0, and a tax of 
£6 to defray town expenses, must have placed them on 
familiar terms and close relations with the collector of taxes. 
Scarcely had the town been organized and the inhabitants 
become familiar with their new duties and privileges when 
several families and lifteen hundred acres of land were joined 
to another township. Ashby was incorporated March 5, 
1767, but the proceedings in which the inhabitants of Ash- 
burnham participated occurred at an earlier date. Until 
1764 the territory included within the present towns of 
Townsend, Lunenburg, Ashburnham, Fitchburg and Ashby 
was embraced by the three towns first named. In 1764 
Fitchburg was set oil' from Lunenburg and at that time 
included the southern part of Ashby. The incorporation of 
Ashburnham in the following year did not change boundary 
lines. Very soon after, Ashby was formed from portions of 
Townsend, Fitchburg and Ashburnham. Thus John Fitch 
and others, living in 1763 in the vicinity of the present resi- 
dence of Paul Gates in the southern part of Ashby, were 
residents of Lunenburg ; in 1764 they were in Fitchburg, 
and in 1767 they were in Ashby. With bewildering sud- 
denness and without a change of residence they were citizens 
of three towns and attended town meetings in as many 
places in this brief space of time. The original petition, for 
the creation of Ashby, was before the General Court several 
months before Ashburnham was incorporated. While a 
part of the petitioners for Ashby were pressing a solicitation 
to become inhabitants of one town they were included within 
another. They continued, however, to pursue their original 
project and joining with the other petitioners an organization 
was eifected and a committee, consisting of John Fitch of 
Fitchburg, Jacob Schoffe of Ashburnham and James Locke, 
Jr., of Townsend, was chosen to appear before the General 



FROM THE INCORrOKATIOX TO THE REVOLUTION. 117 

Court ill support of their petition. At a meeting; of the pro- 
prietors only a few days after the incorporation of Ashburn- 
ham a committee was chosen to remonstrate against the loss 
of the most thickly settled portion of the town. The follow- 
ing year the subject was laid before the town at a special 
meeting called for that purpose. The petitioners in the 
northeast part of the town joined by the Germans were a 
clear majority of the town. Conscious of their power, they 
proposed to carry with themselves a very considerable por- 
tion of the township, including the Cambridge and Lexing- 
ton farms and all that part of Ashburnham east of a line 
running from the northwest corner of Lexington farm across 
the summit of Great Watatic to the province line. 

This liberal proposition included a majority of the inhabi- 
tants and about one-fourth of the area of the township. 
Immediately following the record of the meeting is recorded 
a protest against the measure, signed by Samuel Fellows, 
Tristram Cheney, Samuel Nichols, Jonathan Gates, George 
Dickerson, Nathan Melvin, Elisha Coolidge, William 
Joyner, Samuel Foster and Enos Jones. No reason is 
found for the absence of the names of Benjamin Whitcomb, 
Moses Foster, Jeremiah Foster, Deliverance Davis and 
others who were then living west of the proposed line and 
who very naturally would be in sympathy with the remon- 
strants. This proposition, however, was very materially 
modified by the General Court. When Ashby was finall}^ 
incorporated only about one-fourth of the proposed area was 
severed from Ashburnham. Many years later another tract 
was joined to Ashby, but the original division line between 
the towns in 17()7 left the eastern boundary of Ashburnham 
almost a straight line, extending very nearly due north from 
the northeast corner of Westminster to the State line. The 
corner of the two towns at the State line was very nearly a 



118 HISTORY OF ASHBURNIIAM. 

mile east of the present corner. In this form the town of 
Ashburnham remained until after the lie volution, when a 
second donation to Ashl)y and the incorporation of Gardner 
cut off two areas from the opposite corners of the town. 

Among the settlers included within the town of Asliby 
were several town officers who were chosen only three days 
before that town was incorporated. Captain John Jones, 
residing on the Amos Wellington farm then in Ashburnham, 
was a selectman here in 176() and again elected in 1767. 
The same year he was chosen a selectman of Ash by. 

James Coleman had been elected one of the constables, 
an office then including the collection of taxes. Notwith- 
standing the change in town lines, the assessors of Ashburn- 
ham committed to him a tax list for collection and in 
November of the following year " y'' town voted to Defend 
y® Town Treasurer in a Trial with James Colman for to get 
y*^ money that was assest in y" year 17(57 which assessment 
was Delivered to s'' Colman to Colect." It is probable that 
both towns claimed the taxes assessed this year on the 
estates set off to Ashby and that Mr. Coleman found it diffi- 
cult to serve two masters. By this change in town lines, 
in addition to John Jones and James Coleman, Ashburnham 
lost Thomas Stearns, Zimri Hey wood, John Bates, David 
Taylor, Henry Selham, Benjamin Spaulding, Samuel Derby, 
Samuel Rice, Levi Houghton and perhaps a few others. 
Several of these became prominent in the affairs of Ashby. 
The only German was Mr. Selham whose name is generally 
written Sellenham in the Ashby records. 

Unless there were two persons of the same name, Ben- 
jamin Spaulding returned to Ashburnham in 1768 and in 
1769 as will appear joined in a petition to be set off to 
Ashby a second time. Had he succeeded and continued the 
process he would have whittled away the entire township. 



FROM THE INCORPORATION TO THE REVOLUTION. 119 

1766. The new names appearing in the proceedings of 
this year are Henry Hall, John Conn, Zimri Heywood, 
Moses Foster, Jr., Samuel Salter, Simon Rodamell, Henry 
Selham and Joseph Perry. Some of these had been here 
several years but were not named in the records of the pre- 
ceding year. In addition to the land and province tax, the 
town raised twenty pounds for town charges and appropriated 
sixty pounds of the land tax for the support of roads. This 
year the town also voted not " to choose a man to Represent 
them at the great and general Coart or assembly to be held 
at Boston on Wensday the twenty eight Day of may Current 
at Nine of the Clock in the morning." But more mindful of 
internal improvement, the town voted to build a pound of 
stone or timber, two rods square inside, to be located near 
the barn of Christian William Whiteman, but this vote was 
reconsidered soon after and a pound was not built for several 
years. The records assert that this year "the town chose 
Mr. Timothy pane Esquier regeister for the County of 
Worcester." Mr. Paine was elected this year, leaving us to 
infer that either the remainder of the county magnanimously 
concurred in this action on the part of Ashburnham, or that 
the record is a simple assertion that Mr. Paine was the choice 
of the voters of this town. The custom of warning out all 
new arrivals is mentioned in another connection ; the names 
of the men summoned to remove during the first two years 
of the existence of the town, were Samuel Salter, Joseph 
Perry, Oliver Wetherbee, Daniel Merrill, Daniel Harper, 
Timothy Farley, Amasa Turner and George Hewitt. 

1767. Early in the year 1767, a special meeting was 
called to make some arrangements concerning the salary of 
the minister. When the town assumed control of public 
afiairs, Mr. Winchester had been settled several years. It 
only devolved upon the town to pay him the amount of 



120 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

salary stipulated by the proprietors at the time of his settle- 
ment. By the terms of the act of incorporation this sum 
was to be paid out of the land tax. It only remained for the 
town to conduct the assessment and collection of this tax. 
The result of this meeting indicates that the only issue raised 
at this time related to the time when the salary of the minis- 
ter should be paid. A committee was chosen " to discourse 
with Eev. Mr. Winchester relating to his salary." At a 
subsequent meeting the town acted upon the report of their 
committee by a vote " to pay Mr. Winchester one half of his 
salary at eight months' end." 

The records of this year introduce the earliest reference to 
schools in a vote to raise eight pounds for that purpose, and 
voted that "y* y'' school should be a moveing school and 
to leave it y° Select men to make y*^ Quarters where y** 
school shall be Cept. Voted it to bee a free school." 

The increasing burden of taxation and the inability of 
many of the settlers to meet these increasing demands upon 
their limited resources find frequent expression in the 
records. In June the town chose John Moftat of Boston, 
Rev. Jonathan Winchester and Tristram Cheney, to apply 
to the General Court for an abatement of the province tax. 
In connection with this eftbrt the following petition was 
made to the General Court : 

To His Excellency Francis Bernard Esq. Captain General 
and Governor in Chief of His Majesty's Provence of the Massa- 
chusetts Bay, to the Honnorable his majestys Council & the Hon*"'* 
House of Representatives, In General Court assembled. 

December 30 1767 

The Petition of the Inhabitants of Ashburnham humblj' Sheweth : 

That whereas a Provence Tax for a number of years Past has 
been Laid on your Petitioners no Part thereof has been paid, that 
your Petitioners Labouring under great poverty' think them selves 



FROM THE INCORPORATION TO THE REVOLUTION. 121 

utterly unable To make an}' such paj-ment, that the soil we Possess 
is veiT Stubborn Requiring much hard Labour before any profit 
can be reaped from it. That the greatest part of yovw petitioners 
have been in said Town but a short time and are unable to raise 
provisions sufficient for the support of our families. And as there 
is far from being enough produced in the Town to maintain the 
Inhabitants we have not onh' nothing to Convert into money ; but 
are at much annual expense for the necessays of Life or bo desti- 
tute of them ; or else contract debts unpa^'able without the for- 
feiture of our Lands. 

That y'' growth of y'' said Town has been much obstructed b}' 
y' said tax as many persons have of Late gone over y" Provence 
Line to avoid a burden which seams so likel}^ to be unsupportable 
and fatal. That j'our Poor petitioners are unable to keep our few 
cattle alive in y"^ winter season without driving a considerable 
proportion of them out of town for subsistence. That your 
Petitioners House of Public Worship has lately' been struck bj' a 
Hurricane and y*' cost to repare Cannot be less than £30. Lawful 
money. With all that can be done to said House it must be Re- 
built in a few years. That the Death of our very worth}' Pastor 
y* Reverend M'" Winchester 3'our Petitioners must needs be exerted 
to a very great additional expence. 

Therefore your Humble Petitioners \evy earnestly beseech 3'Our 
Excellency & Honers to considerate our unhapy circumstances 
by Removing 3-6 grievous Tax or to Releive us in such way as in 
3'Our great wisdom you shall Think fitt. And 3'our Petitioners as 
in dut}' bound shall ever pray &c. 

TRISTRAM CHENEY in behalf of sd Town. 

Dated at Ashburnham, December 3''' 23'^ 1767. 

The petition was kindly received by the General Court 
and all the province taxes then due from this town were 
forgiven. Qualifying the petition with the Veflection that it 
is an argument for effect, it is true, however, that it presents 
a view of the poverty and distress of a new settlement and 



122 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

from it we learn much of the situation of the town at this 
date. 

November 30, 1767, the inhabitants were Avarned to 
assemble on the tenth of the following month " to see if the 
town will comply with the town of Boston in not purchasing 
any of the articles mentioned in the paper sent to the select- 
men." The paper referred to was the historic letter of the 
selectmen of Boston, dated October 28, and sent to the 
selectmen of the several towns in the province, respecting 
the sale and use of certain foreign articles upon which Par- 
liament had laid a tax. At the meeting in Ashburnham it 
was voted " to comply with the request of the selectmen of 
Boston respecting the articles in a paper they sent to us." 
Here is found the first and a very early act relating to the 
Revolution. It was one of a series of events which foretold 
the approaching storm, truthfully reflecting the progress of 
public sentiment while the smouldering fires of discontent 
were being fanned into the flame of open revolt. Other 
towns actuated by an equal patriotism passed similar votes, 
but very few of them at this early date were prepared to 
speak with equal emphasis and promptness. 

The death of the first minister occurred this year. A meet- 
ing was promptly called at which the town voted to defray 
the expenses of the funeral and to pay to Mrs. Winchester, a 
sum equal to the stated salary for the remainder of the year. 
No item of the expense of the burial of Mr. Winchester has 
been preserved, but in accordance with the customs of the 
times, it is probable that gloves, weeds and other insignia of 
mourning, were procured for the bereaved family and for the 
bearers. All were mourners and all followed the remains of 
their beloved .pastor to the grave. The measure of their 
sorrow at the death and their respect for the character of 
Mr. Winchester were continually reflected in the kind con- 



FROM THE INCORPORATION TO THE REVOLUTION. 123 

sideration in wliicli they always regarded the widow and the 
children of their lirst minister. 

1768. This year, Rev. John Gushing was settled. An 
account of the ordination and of a prolonged and successful 
ministry will be found in another chapter. Other proceed- 
ings of less magnitude complete the record of the year. In 
the warrant for the annual March meeting appears an article 
" To see if y'^ town will vote y* there shall be no ox sled 
Drawed in y° Privet Roads in Ashburnham less than four 
feet and a half wide on Penalty such as y*^ town shall think 
Proper." "Passed in y° negative." The highways in this 
connection were styled private roads to distinguish them 
from the county roads which had been constructed, and in 
some measure were under the supervision of the court. 

It was also ordered this year that "y® Dutch should draw 
their school money " upon condition it was used for its 
legitimate purpose. 

The increasing discontent of the colony in regard to the 
continued acts of oppression by the British government, and 
the promptness in which each infringement of their charter 
rights was resisted by the watchful spirit of democracy 
again invite the citizens of Ashburnham to assemble in town 
meeting. Immediately following an unsuccessful attempt to 
persuade the Royal Governor of the province to convene the 
General Court, letters were sent to all the towns inviting 
them to send delegates to join in a conference over public 
affairs. The citizens of this town unanimously instructed 
their selectmen to send in writing their desire to join with 
the asseml)led delegates " in all proper way to defend our 
rights and privileges which was granted to us in our 
charter." 

1769. It will be remembered that while the inhal)itants 
were thus asseml)ling in town meeting from year to year and 



124 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

adopting measures concerning the prudential affairs of the 
town, the proprietors were still an active organization. 
Under the laws of the province, the town assumed the 
control of the roads, the support of the ministry and the 
general management of all municipal concerns, while the 
propriety, owning the undivided lands, was still an organized 
corporation. The proprietors surrendered the meeting- 
house to the town without any formal vote, and in 1770 at a 
meeting convened in Boston, there was a proposition under 
consideration to surrender to the town " the meeting house 
square with the reservation that the whole of it remains a 
common forever." This subject was dismissed without 
action and it is possible the proprietors considered that the 
common already belonged to the town under the title of 
public domain. If any consideration less friendly prompted 
the failure to relinquish their claim to the common, the 
inhabitants of the town had very little concern about it, and 
were masters of the situation. They had already disposed 
of one-fourth of it and were holding the remainder with grim 
complacency. Under an article to see if the town would 
sell a part of the common to Rev. John Gushing, the town 
in May, 17G9, voted to make him a present of two and one- 
half acres at the east end and instructed the selectmen to 
give him a deed. 

Benjamin Spaulding, and a few others residing in the 
northeast part of the town, petitioned the General Court to 
be annexed to Asliby. The town promptly expressed its 
dissent and sulmiitted the matter to Samuel Wilder who 
successfully opposed the measure. 

The questions arising in town meeting and the methods of 
treatment, are continually suggesting the changes which have 
attended the progress of years. One hundred and twenty- 
five years ago, as a source of revenue, the town voted that 



FROM THE INCORPORATION TO THE REVOLUTION. 125 

" every inhabitant tliat takes cattle to run in the woods shall 
pay to the town four shillings per head." The same year, 
not having paid their minister the sum due for settlement, 
the town borrowed the money of Colonel Caleb Wilder and 
agreed to pay it in clearing land for him. For several years 
the town accepted labor on this account in payment of taxes. 

1770. The annals of this year introduce very few subjects 
not anticipated in a general view of a town in the transaction 
of the ordinary business. The year preceding the town 
voted not to choose a committee " to see where the town's 
money had gone." They probably concluded it had never 
been gathered in, since this year a number of parcels of land 
belonging to non-residents were sold at auction in payment 
of taxes. From this source the town realized nearly fifty 
pounds. One of the purchasers at this sale was Eev. Mr. 
Cushing, who bought six and one-half acres between the 
common and Upper Naukeag lake. This year the court had 
under consideration the location of a county road from 
Winchendon to Westminster, passing through a corner of 
this town, now in Gardner. The town of Ashburnham 
instructed Samuel Wilder to oppose the project and "if 
need be, to employ an attorney." This road was built soon 
after, but the part of it within this town was inconsiderable. 

In accordance with an act of the General Court, an inven- 
tory of the province tax for the year 1770 was returned by 
the assessors. Fortunately, the original is preserved in the 
State archives. This rate assessed on the polls had no con- 
nection with the land tax. The list preserves the names of 
the men residing in this town December 14, 1770. The 
names followed by the figures 2 or 3 paid the tax of as 
many persons, who might be either sons above sixteen 
years of age, or young men in their employ. Ebenezer 
Conant, Sen., was probably residing here at this time; later 



126 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



in life he was a town charge, but no reason appears for the 
omission of his name. It was probably accidental. The 
omission of the name of Rev. John Gushing was probably 
intentional. The number of names in the list is seventy- 
four, which would indicate a population of less than four 
hundred. 



John Adams 
Stephen Ames 
William Benjamin 
Moses Bennett 
John Bigelow 
Nathan Bigelow 
Jo shua Billings 
Abraham Blodgett 
Isaac Blodgett 
Jeremiah Bridge _ 
Peter Brooks 
Tristram Cheney (3) 
David Clark 
Job Coleman 
Ebeiiezer Conant, Jr. 
Jolm Conn 
Elisha Coolidge 
Deliverance Davis 
Amos Dickerson 
David Dickerson 
Salmon Dutton 
Thomas Dutton 
Elijah Edson 
Samuel Fellows (3) 
Jeremiah Foster 



Moses Foster (2) 
Samuel Foster 
Henry Gates p" 
Jonathan Gates (2) 
Henry Hall (2) 
Jacob Harris 
Ebenezer Hemenway 
Joseph Holden 
Moses Johnson 
Enos Jones 
Abijah Joslin 
James Joslin 
Peter Joslin 
John Kiblinger (2) 
Benjamin Kemp 
Nathan Melvin 
Daniel Merrill 
Joseph Metcalf 
Samuel Nichols 
Simeon Nutting 
John Oberlock 
Joseph Perry 
Daniel Priest 
Jolm Rich 
Simon Rodamell 



Samuel Salter 
Aaron Samson 
John Samson 
Jonathan Samson 
Jacob Schoffe 
Benjamin Spaulding 
Ephraim Stone (3) 
Oliver Stone 
Jonathan Taylor 
Philip Vorback 
Caleb Ward 
Jacob Wenneg 
Oliver Wetherbee 
Phmehas Wetherbee 
Benjamin Whitcomb 
Oliver Whitcomb 
Christian Wm. White- 
man 
Samuel Wilder (2) 
Hezekiah Willard 
John Willard 
Oliver Willard 
Andrew Winter 
Timothy Wood 
Abijah Worcester 



1771. In addition to specific legislation regarding schools 
and the meeting-house, which will appear in other chapters, 
this year the town sold the right of land reserved for the 
benefit of schools. 

From the incorporation of the town to this date there had 
been little change in the price of labor and many articles of 
merchandise. The depreciation of the currency a few years 
later introduced fictitious values in all business transactions. 
The town at this time continued to allow the selectmen and 
other town ofiicers two shillings and eight pence per day? 
The rate of labor upon the highways for several years is 



FROM THE INCOKPORATION TO THE REVOLUTION. 127 

recorded in stated form : " three shilling per day from now 
to the last of September, one shilling and four pence for 
oxen and eight pence for a cart and after September two 
shillings per day." From an account of sales made in an 
adjoining town at this date it appears that upland hay sold 
at £1-5-0 per ton, rye at four shillings per bushel and 
butter from six to eight pence per pound. 

1773. "Voted to buy some grave stones in memory of 
Rev'^ Mr Jonathan Winchester and that M'' William Whit- 
comb be the man to get the above stones." This act com- 
memorating, at once, the virtues of the dead and the serious 
impulses of the town resulted in the erection of the plain 
slate stone which yet marks the grave of the first minister. 
Future generations may erect at this grave a monument of 
for greater pretension, but none can ever express a more 
fitting devotion to the memory of him whose virtues are 
inscribed upon this ancient stone in language of sincere 
respect and love. 

1773. Having built a pound the preceding year the town 
chose Benjamin Bigelow and Jacob Willard to conduct the 
business at that station. Tield drivers, or hog reeves as 
they were formerly called, have been chosen every year 
since the incorporation of the town. This year, with a new 
adjunct to the ofiice, the selection was made with due 
deference to ability and regard to place of residence. The 
location of the first pound is not certain. The pound at the 
southwest corner of the common was not built until 1794, 
but time and the elements appear to have been unusually 
active in hastening its destruction. 

The manner in which our fathers regarded the obligation of 
contracts and the attention they paid to their proper fulfil- 
ment are reflected in a vote to " advance thirty pounds to the 
Rev"^ M"" Cushing's Sallary to be assessed this year to make 



128 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Up the Damage in his not giting his Sallaiy according to 
agreament." 

1774. In prophecy of the political revolution near at 
hand and reflecting the sentiment of the people a town 
meeting is called for the first time without invoking the 
name of the king. In former years the people had been 
warned to assemble "in his Majesty's name." A meeting 
was called in September, 1774, in the simple terms, "You 
are requested to meet." Later the people were warned "in 
the name of the government and the people of the state of 
Massachusetts Bay," until the new constitution of the State 
introduced "the commonwealth of Massachusetts." These 
terms clearly indicate the progress of public sentiment during 
radical changes in the forms of government. 

The incorporation of Gardner was almost consummated 
this year. The project was suftered to sleep during the 
Revolution but it scarcely failed at this time. The petition 
was signed by residents of Westminster, Templeton, Win- 
chendon and Ashburnham who desired to be included in the 
proposed town. In answer to the petitioners, the town 
voted May 23, 1774, that the portion of Ashburnham south- 
west of a line extending from Samuel Kelton's lot to the lot 
of William Ames " be set off" with portions of other towns 
to form a new town or district." The line described in this 
vote is substantially the same as the one established eleven 
years later. The Revolution caused a delay and introduced 
a name for the town, but the boundaries first proposed were 
not materially changed when the town eventually was 
incorporated. 

Commencing with the date of incorporation and extend- 
ino- a few years beyond the limits of this chapter, the town 
continued the custom of warning out a majority of the arri- 
vals in town. It was a precautionary proceeding suggested 



FROM THE INCORPORATION TO THE REVOLUTION. 129 

and encouraged by the laws of the province. The statute 
provided that persons, who were legally warned out of the 
town, could not gain at once a full legal residence and that 
in case of extreme poverty the town would not be charge- 
able for their support. It was a cold reception but modified 
with a fair understanding that it was a formality of law in 
which there was often no sincerity. If it savors of inhu- 
manity it was a fault of the law and not of the people. Its 
practice in other towns led to its adoption here in self- 
defence. In this connection it should be remembered, that 
while the sentiment of charity and brotherly love has ever 
existed in the heart of man, the present system of public 
charities which embraces all classes of unfortunate men and 
women of the Commonwealth is the result of more recent 
legislation. If the early settlers of this town were warned 
out, they were at once admitted to all social privileges. In 
some instance men who were . warned out were elected to 
office at the following town meeting and became useful, 
substantial citizens contributing largely to the intelligence 
and wealth of a town to which they were so formally 
received. Not a few of those who served in the Revolution 
were welcomed in this manner to Ashburnham. In their 
turn they joined, in a more serious manner, in warning out 
an army of invasion before it gained a residence on Ameri- 
can soil. A few extracts from the records will give a fair 
idea of the spirit of these proceedings. 

To Jonathan Gates, constable of the Town of Ashburnham, 

Greeting : 

Whereas Joseph Perry and Mary Perry his wife, Joseph Perry, 
Juner, and Mary Perry and Abigail Perry and Annie Perry, 
children of Joseph and Mary Perry, Hath lately Come to the 
Town of Ashburnham and came last from Midway and Came to 



130 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

the Town of Ashburnham November 1765, whom the Selectmen of 
Ashburnham Refuse to admit as Inhabitants of the said Town. 

THESE are therefore in his majesties name to Require 3'ou, 
the said Constable to warn the persons a Bove mentioned forth- 
with to Depart out of the town of Ashburnham. 

Hereof fail not and make Due return of this warrant with your 
Doings therein to some one of us the subscribers. 

Given under our hands and seal at Ashburnham This Twelfth 
daj' of February A D 1766 in the Sixth year of his Majesties Rain. 

TRISTRAM CHENEY") Selectmen 
JOHN RICH V of 

SAMUEL FELLOWS ) Ashburnham. 

Worcester ss. Ashburnham, February 24 1766 

In obedience and by virtue of the within written warrant I have 
warned the within named Joseph Perry and Mary Perry his wife 
Joseph Perry Juner Mary Perry Abigail Perry Annie Perry 
children of Joseph and Mary Perry, forthwith to Depart out of the 
town of Ashburnham. 

JONATHAN GATES, 

Constable of said Town. 

In some instances the selectmen made a memorandmn 
of the arrival of a family into town and in such cases no 
warrant is found. 

Olive Davis and Mercy Davis Daughters of Jonas Davis of 
Harvard Deceased and Elizabeth his wife came into this town 
October y^ 14, 1767, and came last from Harvard. 

Elijah Edson left Bridgewater June 17 1769 and brought with 
him Martha Edson his wife and three children Sarah Edson, 
Oliver Edson and Ziba Edson, whom the selectmen refuse to 
admit as Inhabitants of Ashburnham. 



CHAPTER V. 

REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. 

SITUATION OF THE TOWN. THE COVENANT. WOECESTEE CONVENTION. 

THE JUROE LIST. — KEPRESENTED IN PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. — POWDER 
AND LEAD. THE MILITIA ORGANIZED. PROMINENT CITIZENS INTER- 
VIEWED. THE SALT PEOBLEM. ALARM AT LEXINGTON. CAPTAIN 

gates' COMPANY. CAPTAIN DAVIs' COMPANY. THE SIEGE OF BOSTON 

AND BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. CAPTAIN WILDER's COMPANY THE 

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. ENLISTMENTS IN 1776. AN HOUR 

OF GLOOM. TOWN PROCEEDINGS. SOLDIERS IN 1777. ALARM 

AND CALL FOE TEOOPS. THE RESPONSE OF ASHBUENHAM. CONTI- 
NENTAL AND OTHEE SOLDIERS. PUBLIC AID. ASSENT TO THE ARTI- 
CLES OF CONFEDERATION. DEPRECIATION OF THE CURRENCY. THE 

SOLDIERS IN THE FIELD. NEW RECRUITS. CLOTHING FOR THE ARMY. 

ALAS, ONE DESERTER. SOLDIERS IN 1779. REPRESENTATIVE TO GEN- 
ERAL COURT. — PRICE OF COMMODITIES. CONSTITUTION PROPOSED. 

THANKSGIVING. SOLDIERS IN 1780. — TOWN MEETINGS. OBSERV- 
ANCE OF THE SABBATH. SOLDIERS IN 1781. BOUNTY PROPOSED. 

A FINE REMITTED. REQUISITIONS FOR BEEF HOME TRIALS. 

The story of Asliburnham in the Revolution compre- 
hends neither the movements of armies nor the decisive 
results of sanguinary engagements. The causes of the war, 
the prevailing sentiment of the colonies and the campaigns 
and fortunes of the army arc subjects of general history. 
It falls within the province of this chapter to record the 
names of the men of Asliburnham who were in the service 
and to present some account of the hardships endured at 
home. It will appear that the inhabitants of this town were 
in full sympathy with the patriotic sentiment of the colonies, 

131 



132 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

and in the field and at the fireside cheerfully bore a full 
measure of the hardslii]3S and burdens of the period. Com- 
pared with the older settlements the frontier towns were 
young and feeble ; and, if remote from the earlier discussion 
of public grievances and from the theatre of war, it is cer- 
tain they felt every j)ulsation of the heart of the colonies 
and responded to every demand. 

The population of Ashburnham in 17 70 was five hundred 
and fifty-one. Upon this little community, situated upon 
the border of the province, the provisional government and 
the patriotic impulse of the people, during the progress of 
the war, made heavy drafts for men and treasure. Inured 
to the privations and hardships of the frontier, the settle- 
ments bravely assumed burdens which would have been 
refused by people less familiar to lives of self-denial and 
hardships. During the Ke volution the strength of the colo- 
nies rested in familiarity with poverty and toil. Patriotic 
impulse and a firm reliance in the righteousness of their 
cause were important factors, but it required hardihood as 
well as impulse and endurance as well as principle. A sol- 
diery more tenderly nurtured and less inured to privation 
might bravely meet the enemy in the field but would have 
failed in the sufferings of Valley Forge. 

Commencing with the beginning of open hostilities the 
older towns, situated near the theatre of the war, sent an 
increasing stream of immigration to the frontiers where a 
more comfortable feeling of security could be enjoyed. 
During the Avar all the towns in this vicinity increased 
rapidly in population. From 1776 to 1780 the population 
of Ashburnham was increased nearly twofold. The names 
of many fiimilies which are conspicuous in the annals of 
Ashburnham first appear at this time. All who removed 
hither were fraternally welcomed and the older resident and 



REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. I33 

the new arrival, actuated by a common purpose, are found 
side by side in the army or joined in procuring money and 
means to carry on the war. 

It will appear in the course of this narrative that nearly 
every man residing in this town and nearly every boy over 
sixteen years of age were in the service for a longer or a 
shorter period. The records of Ashburnham do not pre- 
serve the names of any revolutionary soldiers. The search 
for the material for this chapter was made elsewhere. The 
State archives and the files of the Pension Otfice at Wash- 
ing-ton have been fruitful fields of research. It is believed 
that the following pages will contain the names of nearlj^ all 
the residents of this town who served in the army during the 
Revolutionary War. Xo name has been admitted without 
unquestionable proof. Tradition and the records are fre- 
quently at variance, and in such cases the authority of the 
records has been accepted. 

The winter preceding the repulse of the enemy at Lex- 
ington and Concord was a season of gloom and uncertainty. 
The colonists, and especially those of Massachusetts, were 
anxiously waiting for the clouds to break or, if inevitable, 
for hostilities to commence. This era of doubt and uncer- 
tainty cast the deepest gloom over the land. The inhabi- 
tants of Ashburnham are early found in full sympathy with 
the prevailing sentiment and with remarkable unanimity are 
early prepared for the decisive issue. As early as 1773 
mention of the situation of public affairs finds expression in 
an article in the warrant for the annual March meeting, "To 
see if the Town will consider the £>:eneral g-rievances that 
are laid upon us by acts of Parliament & disposing of our 
monies without our consent." At this time no action was 
taken, but in July, 1774, "it was moved that the Covenant 
sent from Boston be read and accordingly it was read. 



134 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Then a motion was made for an alteration and that Doctor 
Senter, George Dana, Elisha Coolidge, Samuel Nichols and 
Jonathan Samson be a committee to alter said covenant and 
adjourned said meeting for half an hour and then said Cove- 
nant was altered to the acceptance of the Town." "Voted 
that Elisha Coolidge Samuel Wilder and Samuel Nichols be 
a committee to keep the covenant after it is signed." 

The covenant adopted in the foregoing vote was a solemn 
engagement, signed by the inhabitants of the town, that they 
would refrain from the purchase and use of certain articles 
of British merchandise, and that risking their lives and 
fortunes in the defence of their charter rights and privileges, 
they would resist all officers holding commissions under the 
late acts of Parliament. On the third day of September, the 
town was assembled to hear the report of Jonathan Taylor 
who had been chosen to attend a convention at Worcester, 
which met in August at the house of Mary Stearns, widow 
of Captain Thomas Stearns. The records do not afford any 
information of the character of the report, yet from other 
sources it is known that this convention recommended the 
several towns to appoint military officers, to provide arms 
and ammunition, and to make ample provision for any emer- 
gency that may arise. At the same meeting the progress of 
public sentiment is revealed in a vote to indemnify the officers 
of the town for not returning a list of jurors as required by 
an act of Parliament. This was a bold measure and in open 
resistance of royal authority. The colonists were extremely 
sensitive in regard to the influences surrounding the halls of 
justice. The man of lowest degree justly demanded a hear- 
ing on equal terms with the favorites of royalty. The exist- 
ing discontent arose in the fact that the judges were appointed 
by the crown and provision was made in England for their 
support for the purpose of rendering them wholly independent 



KEVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. 135 

of colonial influence. This system of appointment and salary 
of the judges received early discussion and firm resistance. 
The vote of Ashburnham refusing to recognize the courts 
thus constituted in returning a list of jurors, was a part of 
the general action of the colony. 

Two other importtmt votes were passed at this meeting. 
First, the town choose Jonathan Taylor, a representative to 
the famous provincial congress which assembled at Concord, 
October 11, and by adjournment to Cambridge continued 
their deliberations until December 10, 1774. Evidently, not 
yet content with these expressions of opinion, and with these 
provisions for the future, at the same meeting, nearly a year 
before Washington assumed command of the army, the town 
voted " to buy half a hundred of powder and one hundred of 
lead and ten dozen of flints as a town stock." At this meet- 
ing, as stated, the town heard from their delegate the recom- 
mendations of the Worcester convention, and ten days later 
were again assembled to carry them into efiect. The action 
■of this meeting was brief yet decisive. A committee of 
safety and correspondence was chosen and the militia was 
organized. The record of the meeting preserves the roll of 
honor. 

Chose Samuel Nichols, .Touathau Samson, Deliverance Davis, 
Abijah Joslin and Jonathan Taylor a committee of correspond- 
ence. 

Voted that the following persons be the officers of the militia of 
•said town : — 

Abijah Joslin, captain. 
Deliverance Davis, lieutenant. 
Ebenezer Conant, Jr., ensign. 
Amos Dickerson, first sergeant. 
Jacob Harris, second sergeant. 
Oliver Stone, third sergeant. 



136 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Enos Jones, fourth sergeant. 
Phinehas Wetherbee, first corporal. 
Salmon Button, second corporal. 
George Dana, third corporal. 
Ezra Atherton, fourth corporal. 
John Conn, clerk. 

This meeting completes the official action of the town for 
the year and introduces the names of men who will be fre- 
quently and honorably mentioned in the following pages. 
Early in 1775, we find two companies of organized militia, 
of which Captains Jonathan Gates and Deliverance Davis 
were commanders, but no record is found of their election 
or of the resignation of Captain Joslin. 

1775. At the annual March meeting this year, five select- 
men, consisting of John Kiblinger, Samuel Nichols, Captain 
Jonathan Gates, Oliver Stone and Amos Kendall, were 
chosen. Through the extended record of proceedings con- 
cerning the ordinary town afftiirs, the gleam of the Revolu- 
tion is revealed in a vote that Captain Jonathan Gates be 
instructed to procure thirty-six cartridge box6s for the use 
of the minute-men at the expense of the town. A former 
town meeting had been convened early in the month at 
which town officers were chosen and the usual routine busi- 
ness was transacted. At the second meeting all the proceed- 
ino;s of the first meeting; were declared null and void and new 
officers were chosen who continued in office through the year. 
The first meeting chose Samuel Wilder town clerk, but at 
the second meeting Jacob Willard was chosen to transcribe 
the public records. There is tradition that for a short time 
in the early stages of the Revolution, Rev. John Cushing, 
Samuel Wilder, Deacon John Willard, and possibly one or 
two others, were regarded with some measure of suspicion 
by the more ardent patriots. It is certain that about this 



REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. 137 

time a company of men, mainly from other towns, waited 
upon these gentlemen for an expression of their views on 
public afl'airs. Whatever may have been the character or 
influence of this interview, there was no further question in 
regard to the political opinions of these men. Mr. Wilder 
was elected town clerk the following year, an office he held 
with no other inteiTuption from 1769 to 1792, and all of 
these men gave a cheerful support to every measure for the 
prosecution of the war. The population of the town was 
increased during the year 1775 by the arrival of the follow- 
ing men, most of whom had families : John Putnam, 
Nathaniel Adams, Peter Willard, Captain Joseph Wilder, 
Simeon Nutting, Timothy, David and Levi Chaplin, Asa 
Brocklebank and Jacol) Wilker, the first of the name in 
town. 

While this town voted throughout the year not to send a 
representative to the provincial congTCSS, it is apparent that 
there was no want of interest in the progress of public affairs 
outside of the township, since a committee of inspection was 
promptly chosen " to see that the resolves of the Continental 
Congress respecting trade be strictly adhered to." To this 
duty William Whitcomb, Jonathan Taylor, Jonathan Sam- 
son, George Dana and Samuel Cutting were assigned. 
Similar to the action of other towns in this vicinity, Ashburn- 
ham adopted early measures to secure and distribute among^ 
the families of the town a supply of salt before the channels 
of trade were closed and many commodities beyond their 
gi-asp. A few votes on this subject are transcribed from the 
records : 

Voted to Purchis 300 Bushels of salt for a town stock and 
chose Messrs. Jonathan Taylor, Amos Kindall and Samuel Foster 
to bee a committee to percure the same. Allso said committee is 
to give security in behalf of said town for said salt. Said town 



138 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

to alow Mr. Amos Kindall, 18 shillings for going down to percure 
said salt. 

Voted that the committee apply to the town Treasurer for money 
to Bair the charges of teems. 

At a subsequent meeting : 

Voted that the committee Imployed to git the Salt take the 
same under their Cair and sell to each man as they think his 
portion is for the space of six months from the first of July 1775, 
and no longer. N. B. After the time heir prefixed said com- 
mittee may sell the salt to any person or persons in town or out. 

Having given some account of the proceedings at home, 
the principal events in the history of Ashburnham for the 
year 1775 remain as yet untold. The town, if remote from 
the early scenes of hostilities, bore an honorable part in the 
alarm at Lexington, the battle of Bunker Hill and the sub- 
sequent siege of Boston. 

Thus far we have discovered some of the steps which 
mark the progress of public opinion. The evidence of a 
firmer ftiith and a more resolute purpose, leading to the 
sterner scenes of the Revolutionary struggle is at ready 
command. And yet the alacrity with which the inhabitants 
of Ashburnham responded to the alarm of war at the first 
call of their country was the simple and natural outgrowth 
of the resolute preparation which had been made du^ring the 
past two years. 

The spring of 1775 was unusually forward; the warm, 
sunny days of mid April had invited the husbandman to the 
labors of the field. But in the midst of a peaceful avocation, 
and attending this external appearance of security and com- 
posure, there was a strong undercurrent of suspense and 
anxiety. Neither the vernal sun nor the balmy air of spring 
could dissolve the portentous clouds which overhung the 



RE VOLUTION AKY HISTORY. 139 

political horizon. And now at a season of the year most 
suggestive of tranquillity and gladness, all remaining doubt 
was suddenly removed and all anticipations of an honorable 
peace were dispelled. The harsh notes of war and carnage 
resounded over the dying hope of a peaceful settlement of 
the public grievances. With unfinished furrows and fields 
half sown, the patriot farmer reversing the prophecy lay down 
the pruning- hooks for spears and quickly beat the plough- 
shares into swords. The ominous intelligence that the 
British were marchino; from Boston towards Lexington 
swiftly borne on the wings of alarm was proclaimed in Ash- 
burnham in the afternoon of that historic day. To the 
signal guns came answerinoj echoes from the surrounding 
hills, and before the reverberations quivering with alarm had 
faded in the distance, there came responsive shots from many 
homes. The town was quickly aroused. The patriots, arms 
in hand, were hurrying forward from every quarter of the 
town. 

No intelligence of hostilities at this hour had been received. 
It was only known that the enemy w^ere marching inward. 
The story of the slaughter of their brethren at Lexington and 
at Concord was then unknown, nor was it needed to call 
these men to arms. Under command of Captain Jonathan 
Gates, a company of thirty-eight men promptly responded 
to the call and marched that afternoon. Nor was this all. 
Through the following: nioht the men from the remoter 
portions of the town responded to the alarm, and busy notes 
of preparation were constantly renewed. A second company 
of thirty-three men, under command of Captain Deliverance 
Davis, was organized. Early in the gray of the following 
morning they were on the march. The rolls preserve the 
names of those men, seventy-one in number, who rcsi)onded 
thus to the alarm. Leaving homes and family with hasty 



140 HISTORY OF ASHBURNIIAM. 

farewells, they hastened to the relief of their brethren, and 
some of them to the familiar scenes of their childhood and 
to the defence of the homes of their kindred. 

The rapidity with which the alarm was spread over the 
country on the nineteenth of April, has excited surprise. 
It was not accidental, nor one of those hazard enterprises 
that sometimes apparently happen in a fortuitous manner. 
For weeks the committees of safety and correspondence had 
been preparing for just such an emergency ; in many 
instances it had been arranged who should ride, and to whom 
deliver the message. At twilight many a vigilant patriot 
had carefully stabled and fed his fleetest horse, half in 
expectation that a summons to ride might come before the 
rising of another sun. 

The public records of the town afford no information of 
the number or the names of these men who promptly 
responded to the alarm. If tradition was the only remain- 
ing source of information, the lists would remain uncertain 
and incomplete. The traditional statement that this town 
sent out one company which, on the receipt of intelligence 
that the affray was ended, returned home the same or the 
following day, has been quite generally accepted. Ashburn- 
ham soldiers in the Revolution did not acquit themselves in 
that manner. For once tradition shot beneath the mark, but 
has made ample amends in other fields of information. For- 
tunately, the muster rolls of these two companies are 
preserved in the State archives. If additional evidence is 
required it is not withheld. Among the papers of the late 
Deacon John C. Davis, a grandson of one of the com- 
manders, is preserved a list of the men under the command 
of Captain Deliverance Davis. This list and the roll at the 
State House without exception are the same, and the per- 
sonal statements of a few of the men will appear in another 



REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. 141 

connection. Both of the companies marched to Cambridge 
and there remained with the gathering army several days. 

As previously stated, Captain Gates' company left Ash- 
bm*nham on the afternoon of the alarm. Upon the muster 
roll, under the head of " Time when marched," there appears 
opposite every name "April 19." This company continued 
an orofanization until Mav 1 , when it was disbanded. A few 
had previously returned home ; a few came home when the 
company was disljanded and sixteen of them enlisted in 
Colonel Whitcoml>'s regiment and remained in the service 
until the close of the year. Captain Davis' company is 
credited with marching April 20. It was disbanded at 
Cambridge, April 30. Three from this company remained 
in the service. With the exception of three in Captain 
Davis' company and a few in Captain Gates' company, these 
men are credited with fifty-five miles' travel. 

■Cap* Jonathan Gates' Muster Roll in Col John Mliitcomb' s Regi- 
ment of Militia Men who marched from Ashburnham on y^ 
Alarm April 19*^ 1775. 

Jonathan Gates, Captain 

Amos Dickerson, Lieutenant 

Ezra Atherton, Lieutenant 

George Dana, Sergeant Henry Gates 

William Wilder, do Samuel Joslin 

Joseph Metcalf, do Jonathan AYai'ren Smith 

Ebenezer Burgess, do David Robinson 

Daniel Hobart, Corp'^ Jacob Kiblinger 

Peter Joslin, do Henrj' Hall 

Francis Lane, do Amos Kindall 

Joseph Stone, Drummer Henry Winchester 

Amos Lawrence Samuel Willard 

Phinehas Weatherbee Philip Lock 

Moses Russell Aaron Samson 

Nathaniel Parker Samuel Salter 



142 HISTORY OF ASPIBURNHAM. 

John Gates John Whitney 

Jonathan Winchester Joshua Holt 

Daniel Edson Ebenezer Wood 

Joseph Wilder Philip Winter 

Nathaniel Harris David Clark, Jr. 
Peter Osgood 

Capt. Deliverance Davis' Cluster Moll in Col Asa IVJiitcomb's 
Regiment of Militia men who marched from Ashhurnham on 
y^ Alarm April 19'-^^ 1775. 

Deliverance Davis, Captain 
Ebenezer Conant, Jr., Lieutenant 
John Conn, 2*^ Lieutenant 

Oliver Stone, Sergeant Nathan Melvin 

John Adams, do Nathaniel Hastings 

Samuel Cutting, do Samuel Mason 

Shubuel Hobart, Corp'^ Ephraim Wetherbee 

Timothy Wood, do David Clark 

Oliver Whitcomb, do Isaac Blodgett 

Elijah Edson, Drummer Joshua Hemenway 

Isaac Merriam John Hall 

Oliver Willard John Kiblinger 

Uriah Holt John Putnam 

William Whitcomb Jacob Willard 

William Benjamin Joshua Holden 

Jacob Constantiue Jonathan Taylor 

Caleb Ward Jonathan Taylor, Jr. 

Enos Jones Joseph Perry 

Immediately following the afiair at Lexington the Massa- 
chusetts committee of safety called out the militia. In an 
address to the several towns dated April 20, the committee 
urged them "to hasten and encourage by all possible 
means the enlistment of men for an army." "Our all," 
says the address, "is at stake. Death and devastation are 
the certain consequences of delay. Every moment is infi- 
nitely precious. An hour lost may deluge your country in 



REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. 143 

blood and entail perpetual slavery upon the few who may 
survive the carnage." An answering spirit animated the 
inhabitants of this town and as will appear a considerable 
number joined the army gathered around Boston. 

In response to this appeal and in full sympathy with the 
sentiment of the colony the enlistments from this town were 
neither tardy nor few in number. It is probable that some 
enlisted at this time of whom no record has been found. 
The rolls are imperfect and there is no reason to presume 
that the following lists contain the names of all from this 
town who were in the service either at this time or at subse- 
quent periods. The muster roll of the company of Captain 
David Wilder of Leominster in Colonel Whitcomb's regi- 
ment bears the names of sixty-eight men including officers. 
On one of the rolls of this company the residence of each 
man is stated. The following abstract contains only the 
Ashburnham men : 

DATE OF ENLISTMENT. 

Jonathan Gates, First Lieutenant April 25 1775 

Francis Lane, Sergeant " 26 

Peter Joslin, " " 26 

.Joshua Holt " 26 

Jacob Kiblinger " 26 

Philip Locke " 26 

David Robinson " 26 

Samuel Salter • "26 

Aaron Samson " 26 

Henry Hall "26 

Henry Winchester " 26 

Samuel Willard " 26 

John Whitney " 26 

EbenezcrWood " 26 

Philip Winter " 26 



144 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

David Clark, Jr. April 26 

Joshua Hemmenway " 26 

John Farmer " 26 

Joseph Smith, Jr. "27 

Jonathan Gates, Jr. Ma)' 29 

Isaac Blodget July 17 

John Locke " 17 

Jacob Winter " 17 

Daniel Edson " 17 

The men participating in the siege of Boston remained in 
the service until the close of the year and some of them 
remained a tew weeks longer or until new recruits came for- 
ward to fill their place. In the same service M^ere David 
Clark, Sen., in the compan}^ of Captain Longley in Colonel 
Whitcomb's regiment, Uriah Holt in Captain Burt's com- 
pany and Thomas Dutton in Captain Wyman's company of 
Colonel Prescott's regiment. 

Twent3''-three men from Ashburnham participated in the 
battle of Bunker Hill. Several others who subsequently 
removed to this town shared the danger and glory of that 
memorable engagement, but at the time were residents of 
other towns. Of these, twenty were in Captain Wilder's 
company and the remaining three were Clark, Holt and 
Dutton who were named in a former paragraph. It is prob- 
able that Colonel Whitcomb's regiment, as an organization, 
was not engaged in the battle of Bunker Hill but it is cer- 
tain, and the fact is undisputed, that the company of Cap- 
tain Wilder was warmly engaged on that occasion. 

It was this year that the first summer boarders arrived in 
Ashburnham. We do not know their names nor the families 
that entertained them. In accordance with stipulations 
between the committee of safety and General Gage at Bos- 
ton, many families of that environed town were suflered to 



REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. I45 

leave unmolested and by the committee were distributed 
among the several towns of the colony for temporary sup- 
port. The number of these worthy poor assigned to Ash- 
burnham was twelve. 

At the close of the year, 1775, a simple form of State 
government was in operation, controlled by a house of repre- 
sentatives and an executive council, and judicial courts were 
duly organized. This form of government was crude and 
untried. A healthy public sentiment and vigilance, tem- 
pered with prudence, were the main protection of the peo- 
ple. The summer of this year had been extremely hot and 
dry, and the slender harvests occasioned much anxiety and 
alarm for the future. This condition of affairs, the absence 
of many of the heads of families in the army, and the 
extreme solicitude experienced by all concerning the issues 
of the war, cast a deepening gloom over the trials and 
anxieties of the closing year. 

1776. The year 1776 was an eventful one. The for- 
tunes of the army were not decisive in any degree, yet the 
patriotism and bold faith of the colonists at no time shone 
forth more conspicuously. The record of the year will 
afford ample proof that the inhabitants of Ashburnham gave 
an unqualified adhesion to the more comprehensive plans 
and the deeper sentiment which animated the colonies. 
The war commencing on the plea of defence now changed 
to a war for independence. It was no longer a domestic 
strife. The patriots ceased to be rebels and a civil war 
was odious to many. They were now ready for revolution 
and by the Declaration of Independence, in which they 
asserted their right and title to all the attributes of a nation, 
their position among the nations and their attitude to Eng- 
land were suddenly changed. Heretofore, the proceedings 
of the conventions were recommendations and appeals to 



146 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

the patriotism of tlie people ; now such enactments 
assumed the dignity and majesty of law, and, aided by a 
spirit of obedience which pervaded the colonies, there was 
no failure of orderly conduct nor any hiatus in the munici- 
pal government of the people. Through radical changes 
and for a season through the failure of any organic law, the 
town of Ashburuham held meetings, chose officers and lev- 
ied taxes with no authority except a loyal public sentiment. 

In May of this year the General Court passed an order 
calling upon the people to express an opinion concerning a 
formal and entire separation from Great Britain. It was 
not presumed that a reconciliation was either probable or 
possil)le, but an explicit expression of opinion was suggested 
by this action. On the twenty-fourth day of June a war- 
rant for a town meeting was issued and four days later the 
inhabitants of Ashburuham were assembled to deliberate 
upon a grave and momentous question. The article and the 
vote are self-explanatory. 

Article 2. To see if the Inhabitants of said Town are willing 
to stand by the Honourable Congress in declaring the Colonies 
Independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain with their lives 
and fortunes to Support them in the measure. 

June 28, 1776. Pursuant to the above warrant the town 
being met made choice of Mr. Elisha Coolidge moderator. 

Voted. We the Inhabitants of the Town of Ashburuham, in 
Town meeting assembled being sensible of the disadvantage of 
having any further connections with the Kingdom of Great 
Britain and are wiUing to brake off all connections with them and 
it is our Resolution that if the Honorable Congress shall declare 
the Colonies Independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain that' 
we the said Inhabitants will stand by them with our lives and for- 
tunes to support them in the measure. 

The foregoing motion being put was voted unanimously. 



REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. 147 

Soon after this vote the Declaration of Independence was 
received in printed form. It was read from the pulpit and 
transcribed at length upon the records of the town. 

At the annual meeting the town chose Jonathan Taylor, 
John Willard, Jonathan Samson, Abijah Joslin and Eben- 
ezer Conant, Jr., a committee of correspondence. The 
only remaining action of this meeting relating to the war 
was a vote " to abate the soldiers highway rates for the last 
year." The selectmen, upon whom devolved many duties 
concerning the prosecution of the war, were William Whit- 
comb, John Kiblinger and Oliver Willard. 

In connection with these proceedings the service in the 
field for the year was the natural sequence of the spirit per- 
vading the town. The company of Captain David Wilder, 
containing twenty-four men from Ashburnham which par- 
ticipated in the siege of Boston, was discharged on account 
of expiration of term of service near the close of the year 
1775. Without returning home Jonathan Gates, Jr., and 
possibly others, reenlisted and served an additional term 
of three months. About this time the army became so 
depleted by expiration of terms of enlistment that a call was 
issued for additional troops, and to maintain the army while 
the new recruits were being enlisted there was also a call 
for men for a short term of service. For the service last 
named this town furnished three men who enlisted for six 
weeks and were assigned to the right wing of the army at 
Roxbury. They were Jonathan Samson, Jr., Joseph Met- 
calf and his son, Ezekiel Shattuck Metcalf, in Captain Hill's 
company of Harvard. In an affidavit of the widow of 
Ezekiel Shattuck Metcalf, in support of her application 
for a pension in 1839, she alleges there were four men 
from this town in that company. Her recollection may be 
correct but no record of the remaining soldier has been dis- 



148 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

covered. In the company of Captain Rand of Westminster 
and in the same service was David Merriam who enlisted for 
three months in January of this year. When Washington 
withdrew the army to New York he left at Boston only three 
regiments of militia. Massachusetts promptly raised three 
additional reijiments for the defence of the harbor. In these 
regiments, serving under General Ward, Ashburnham was 
honorably represented. 

Jonathan Samson, Jr., after completing the enlistment 
mentioned in a former paragraph, joined the army again in 
July and served in the company of Captain Manasseh Sawyer 
of Sterling in Colonel Dyke's regiment. With his company 
he was eniraired four and one-half months in constructing 
forts at Dorchester Heights. Again in December he enlisted 
into the same company and served three months at Dorches- 
ter. In the last service he was joined by David Memam, 
Ebenezer Bennett Davis and Daniel Putnam. In Captain 
Warner's company of Colonel Josiah Whitney's regiment 
are found the familiar names of Uriah Holt and Thomas 
Ross and in Colonel Dyke's regiment was David Taylor. 
Jacob Kiblinger and John Hall served two months in the 
summer of this year in the company of Captain Woods in 
Colonel Converse's regiment, which for a time was stationed 
at Dobb's Ferry and at Tarrytown and constituted a part 
of the main army under Washington. In the same com- 
pany was Abraham Gibson who then resided in Fitchburg, 
but subsequently removed to this town where he resided 
many years. 

In the company of Captain Sargent of Princeton in 
Colonel Josiah Whitney's regiment from May to July were 
John Kiblinger, William Ward and Jacob Rodiman. They 
were stationed near Boston and for a short time were with 
the army in Rhode Island in an unsuccessful attack upon the 



REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. I49 

British. In the same company was Charles Hastings who 
enlisted from Princeton but soon after removed to this town. 

David Stedman served one enlistment in Captain Fiske's 
company in Colonel Brooks' regiment, and Nicholas White- 
man enlisted December 8 in Captain Alden's company, 
Colonel Mitchell's regiment. 

Three soldiers sealed their devotion to the cause of their 
country with their lives. These were Peter Joslin, aged 
about twenty-five years, who died on his homeward journey 
from the army; Philip "Winter, aged twenty-two years, who 
died in the service, and Daniel Hobart, aged twenty-seven 
years, who was killed at the battle of White Plains, October 
28, 17 70. Young Hobart enlisted in June and was assigned 
to Colonel Coleman's regiment which joined the army under 
Washington. In this engagement with the enemy he was 
wounded in the thigh with a musket ball and left upon the 
field. His retiring comrades beheld the enemy approach 
and beat him with clubbed muskets. 

Dr. Abraham Lowe and David Wallis then of Lunenburg, \j 
Isaac Whitmore of Leominster, Cyrus Fairbanks of Harvard, 
Reuben Townsend of Shrewsbury, Isaac and William 
Stearns of Billerica, Jonas Rice of Sterling, Reuben Rice of 
Lancaster, Joshua Fletcher of Westford, Oliver and Jabez 
Marble of Stow, all of whom subsequently removed to Ash- 
burnham, were in the service some portion of the year. 

1777. The spring of this eventful year was a season of 
deepest gloom and depression. To this time the American 
army had been engaged in a defensive warfare and very fre- 
quently had been found unable to cope with the disciplined 
and well-equipped forces of the enemy. Very frequently 
had the American soldier been oblised to retreat from scenes 
of courage and heroism worthy of victory. The discourage- 
ments of the hour were cumulative. To test the endurance 



150 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

and faith of the colonies came the depressing intelligence of 
the progress of the haughty army under Burgoyne in its 
advance from Canada to join the main army at New York. 
Apparently, a further invasion of the country was inevitable 
and especially was New England menaced with instant 
danger. The inhabitants of this town evinced no evidence 
of terror or dismay but calmly proceeded to adopt defensive 
measures and to raise their full proportion of men. The 
activity of the State authorities and the generous response 
of the Massachusetts and New Hampshire militia at this 
critical moment are important events in the history of the 
American Revolution ; but it is only the part borne by Ash- 
burnham that appeals for expression in this narrative. The 
number of enlistments in this town during the year was 
about one hundred. Some of these men were at Stillwater 
and Saratoga in the gallant army of General Gates which 
eventually crushed and annihilated the proud army of 
Burgoyne, so recently flushed with the hope of spoils and 
devastation. The latter they realized, but from a standpoint 
directly opposed to their lofty expectations. 

Preliminary to an account of the enlistments for the year 
some reference should be made to the action of the town and 
the home trials of the year. Recognizing efficient service, 
and possibly as an encouragement to their successors in office 
to pursue a similar policy in the conduct of town afiairs, 
the town in March voted " to allow the selectmen additional 
compensation for extraordinary services the past year " in a 
special appropriation of " twenty-four shillings for going to 
Boston in their country's service." In May, William Whit- 
comb was chosen " to represent the town in the great and 
general court to be held in Boston the 28"' day of May cur- 
rent." This record presents an early employment of the 
high-sounding and ponderous title that has flattered a legisla- 



REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. 151 

ture with the weight of its own dignity. It was this session 
of the General Court which submitted a proposed constitu- 
tion for the acceptance of the people and which was rejected 
by a great majority early the following year. The selectmen 
this year were Samuel Wilder, Deacon John Willard, Jona- 
than Samson, Jonathan Taylor and Captain Abijah Joslin. 
The committee of correspondence and inspection were 
Samuel Foster, William Wilder, Enos Jones, Joseph Met- 
calf and Francis Lane. Expressive of the sentiment of the 
town on the subject a committee, consisting of Captain 
Thomas Adams, George Dana, John Conn, Captain Jonathan 
Gates and William Wilder, was appointed to remonstrate 
the Legislature against the proposed measure of calling in the 
issue of paper money. Captain Adams named in this vote 
was the father of the centenarian, John Adams. The elder 
Adams removed to this town, 1775, and very soon after the 
alarm at Lexington, where he resided, until his death in 
1802. If this statement is opposed by other records, it is 
nevertheless correct. The first reference to a depreciated 
currency upon the record of this town is found in a vote late 
in the year "to allow Rev. John Cushing £33i on account of 
the fall of money." 

It is impossible at this late period to name all the men of 
Ashburnham who served in the army this year. As is well 
known, a portion of the muster rolls were never filed among 
the State papers and others have been destroyed by fire. 
The roll here given, although imperfect, is highly creditable 
to the town, while every one will join in a regret that any 
name has been lost from the record of patriotic service. 
Among the Massachusetts forces sent to the defence of 
Rhode Island in 1777, was the regiment commanded by 
Colonel Josiah Whitney, which included at least five men 
from this town. They were John Kiblinger, Jacob Rodi- 



152 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

man, Samuel Metcalf, Jonathan Coolidge and William Ward. 
The service was rendered in the early part of the year and 
before this regiment was sent to New York, as the mileage 
for five of these men due from the State was allowed to the 
town in June. From other evidence it appears that these 
men were in service four months. In the summer of this 
year, intelligence of the fall of Crown Point and Ticonderoga 
and the steady and triumphant advance of General Burgoyne 
created a widespread sentiment of the most painful appre- 
hension. Early in July General Schuyler, while retreating 
before the enemy, issued a proclamation calling to his imme- 
diate assistance the militia of New England and New York, 
and aroused by the danger of the situation, multitudes obeyed 
the call. While men for this service were being recruited 
in Ashburnham, there came the startling intelligence that a 
detachment of the enemy had invaded the soil of Vermont 
and were pressing on toward the western counties of Massa- 
chusetts. The town immediately was in arms, and Captain 
Jonathan Gates, with twenty or thirty men from this town^ 
immediately marched to the relief of their brethren. So 
prompt was the action of the authorities, and so responsive 
was the spirit manifested by the people, that all, or nearly 
every town in this vicinity, sent an independent company of 
men who did not delay for regimental organization, but each 
little company, independent of superior officers, conducted a 
brief campaign on personal responsibility. These men were 
not mustered nor organized into regiments and never received 
pay nor rations for their service. This company, with others 
from this vicinity, was marched to Charlemont, and was 
there held to await information of the progress and probable 
course of the enemy. Learning that the American army 
under General St. Clair had retreated into New York, and 
that the probable theatre of war had been removed beyond 



REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. 153 

their vicinity, they were dismissed and after an absence of 
three Aveeks returned to their homes. There were no muster 
rolls of these men, and, with few exceptions, their names 
have faded beyond recall. It was an anonymous campaign. 
In the same expedition were forty-eight men from West- 
minster, under command of Captain Elisha Jackson ; Captain 
Thurlo led a company of twenty-two men from Fitchburg. 
Lunen])urg was represented by Captain Carlisle and a num- 
l)er of men under his command. In the latter company was 
Dr. Abraham Lowe, later, the well-known physician of this 
town. 

The few names of the Ashburnham company that can now 
be ascertained are Jonathan Samson, Jr., William Ward, 
John Adams, David Merriam and probably Jacob Constan- 
tine, John Kiblinger and Nicholas Whiteman. Scarcely had 
these men returned to their homes and the labor of their 
fields before they were again called into service. The 
annihilation of the army under Burgoyne was a preconcerted 
eftbrt and this call upon the militia was a part of a well- 
matured plan. Catching the spirit of the undertaking, the 
men came promptly forward " to drive the Hessians into the 
woods." Captain Gates was commander also of this expedi- 
tion and in the rapid organization of the army, his company 
was assigned to serve in connection with a New Hampshire 
regiment commanded by Colonel Benjamin Bellows of 
Walpole. The company, quickly enlisted and hurriedly 
equipped, was marched through Charlemont, Williamstown 
and thence to Bennington, Vermont, arriving there two days 
after the victory of General Stark. Here they were per- 
mitted to Ijehold the prisoners there confined and guarded in 
the meeting-house, and thus stimulated by a view of the 
fruits of valor, were hurried on to Fort Edward in New 
York, where a part of them remained until after the surren- 



154 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

der of Burgoyne, which occurred October 17, and some of 
them were transferred to other companies and participated in 
the battles of Stillwater and Saratoga. The number of men 
from Ashburnham in the second expedition commanded by 
Captain Jonathan Gates was between twenty and thirty. 
Only a part of their names has been discovered. They are 
William Ward, Nicholas Whiteman, Jacob Constantine, 
John Adams, Jonathan Samson, David Merriam, Jonathan 
Gates, Jr., John Kiblinger, Ezekiel S. Metcalf, and Mr. 
Gates, a brother of Captain Jonathan Gates. 

To avoid the inconvenience experienced during the pre- 
ceding two years, on account of the short terms of enlist- 
ment, and to create a more stable and a better disciplined 
army, orders were given early in 1777 to establish the regi- 
ments on the continental plan and recruit their decimated 
ranks with men enlisted for three years, or during the war. 
For this purpose the quota of Ashburnham was sixteen, and 
an earnest effort was made to supply the required number. 
Thirteen men enlisted and were mustered into service May 
26, 1777, for three years, and the town or individuals hired 
the three remaining men, Francis Lee of Pepperell, Andrew 
Foster of Andover, and Josiah Fessenden of Boston, to 
complete the quota. 

The men from Ashburnham whose names are deeply 
inscribed in the tablets of the history of the town, were 
Ebenezer Bennett Davis, David Clark, David Clark, Jr., 
John Winter, Thomas Pratt, Samuel Mason, John White, 
Paul Sawyer, Jacob Lock, Thomas Ross, Joshua Holden, 
Timothy Johnson and Adam Rodiman. 

A considerable number of other men from this town was 
in the service this year. There are many incidental refer- 
ences which establish the fact, but do not reveal the 
names of the soldiers. In August this year there was a 



EEVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. 155 

draft in this town for men to serve three months, but the 
number of men required has not been ascertained. It 
appears that David Chaffin was drafted at this time and was 
assigned to Captain Nathaniel Carter's company in Colonel 
Cushing's regiment and joined the army under General 
Gates. On account of sickness he was discharged and 
arrived home, November 1, 1777. 

1778. The new year opened with a town meeting at 
which the town voted that they " were not willing to send 
any relief to the Continental soldiers now in the army." 
The natural construction of this language unfairly represents 
the prevailing sentiment and the real intent of the town. 
It was the intention of the town, as appears from other 
records, that the needs of the soldiers beyond their stipu- 
lated pay and bounty should be left with their friends and 
the generosity of individuals, which had proved adequate in 
the past and were confidently invoked in this instance. 
Present in this meeting, perhaps, was Samuel Metcalf, then 
a youth of sixteen years, who had but recently returned 
from a long and perilous journey to the army, bearing 
clothing to his brother Ezekiel to supply a loss caused by 
the burning of his tent which had left him destitute. With 
such evidence of the thou2:htful care of the soldier in the 
field, with the hum of the wheel, the click of the loom and 
the busy needle in every home, there was present in this 
meeting every assurance that the individual and not the town 
could best respond to this call upon their charity. 

In May of this year, the town approved of the Articles of 
Confederation proposed by the Continental Congress. The 
vote was decisive. The records assert "there was but one 
against it," but the name and motive of this dissenting voice 
are not revealed. In the midst of the weighty responsibilities 
resting upon our worthy fathers, perplexed with the demands 



156 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

of war and the problems of new forms of government, the 
town eloquently assert their attentive care of the fomily of 
the soldier in a vote "to help Timothy Johnson's wife who is 
in needy circumstances, so that she may be made comfort- 
able." 

Timothy Johnson is found in the list of men enlisting the 
previous year for three years and leaving, doubtless with 
confidence, his wife and their three babes to the considerate 
care of his townsmen. 

To the husbandman the summer of 1778 was one of great 
discouragements. The season was extremely dry and the 
product of the field was small and unremunerative. The 
partial failure of the crops was keenly felt at a season when 
the product of the farm was the only means to meet the 
heavy demands for money and provisions to carry on the 
war. To give poignancy to their despondency the currency 
depreciated so rapidly in value that financial ruin seemed 
instant and inevitable. During the year 1778, the equiv^a- 
lent of a unit of money decreased from one-third to less than 
one-sixth of its nominal value. One assessment of taxes fol- 
lowed another in rapid succession, until the constable, who 
was also collector of taxes, only left the door to soon return 
with renewed demands, and creditors, beholding every dol- 
lar of their dues fade in value from month to month, were 
importunate and peremptory in their demands for immediate 
payment. In the midst of these depressing surroundings 
at home came many assurances of amended fortunes. 

During the past few months a disheartened and retreating 
army, receiving timely reenforcement, had fought several suc- 
cessful battles which had completely anniliilated a proud and 
invading army. The patriots had taught the disciplined and 
well-equipped soldier}'^ of Europe that they were their 
equals, both in the open field and in the strategems of war. 



REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. 157 

They had awakened a renewed confidence in themselves 
which imparted the strength of cohesion and of discipline to 
the patriot army. The seat of war was removed to the 
South, and the calls for troops were less frequent and imper- 
ative. The sudden and tantalizing alarms which had char- 
acterized the preceding year, giving the minute-men but 
little freedom from actual service or solitude when at 
home, for many months were not repeated. In addition to 
all these flattering omens, which encouraged hope to triumph 
over despondency, the most enlivening hopes were associ- 
ated with the alliance with France, and her proffers of assist- 
ance in the prosecution of the war. A firmer faith in the 
success of their cause was everywhere manifested, until 
many were persuaded to believe that the war was substan- 
tially at an end. And yet amid these cheering omens 
another vial was being opened whose bitterness soon 
drenched the land ; only an oasis had been reached, and not 
the fruitful soil beyond the desert sands ; the clouds were 
not breaking, l)ut only shifting into new shapes, to again 
inundate the land with darker days and gi-eater trials. 

The record of the preceding year left the continental 
soldiers from this town with the army under the immediate 
command of Washington. It will be remembered that these 
men enlisted for three years. Jacob Lock and Samuel ]\Iason 
having died the remaininor fourteen shared the sufferino; of a 
winter of unusual severity at Valley Forge. In the spring of 
this year with more than two years of rugged service before 
them they followed the fortunes of Washington in the 
extreme heat and dangers of Monmouth and in the summer 
campaign near the city of New York. In the late autumn 
they were marched to Middlebrook, New Jersey, and there 
erected huts for the winter. Tlie new recruits this year are 
found in several regiments and in as many branches of the 



158 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

service, and there is ample evidence that several were drafted 
or enlisted in the spring and summer whose names and ser- 
vice cannot now be stated. 

The men that were being enlisted to recruit the decimated 
ranks of the continental regiments were so few in number 
that the General Court called for two thousand men to serve 
in these regiments for the term of nine months. For this 
service three men from this town volunteered or were 
drafted. William Ward enlisted in the month of June and 
was assigned to Colonel Marshall's regiment, from which he 
was discharged March 7, 1778, and about the same time and 
under the same requisition, Jonathan Benjamin and Benjamin 
Clark entered the service and were mustered at Fishkill, 
New York. The muster rolls describe Benjamin as seven- 
teen years of age, five feet and six inches in stature and of 
light complexion. Clark, the roll alleges, was at this time 
sixteen years of age, only five feet and two inches in height 
and light complexion. Young Clark was not a tall soldier, 
and as he lived to enlist again, there is license for the pre- 
sumption that his head was carried below the line of greatest 
danger. Having filled this quota, the selectmen express 
their relief in a letter to the General Court. 

To THE HoN'^^^ Council & House of Representatives of the 

State Massachusetts Bay. 

These m ay certify that the Town of Ashburnham have com- 
plied with the resolve of the Court of the 20'^ of April 1778 last 
in raising Continental men and the men marched when called for. 

Ashburnham Aug 24"^ 1778. 

OLIVER WILLARD ) o i . 
JOHN CONN I Selectmen. 

Worcester ss Aug 20*^^ 1778. 

personally appeared Capt Jonathan Gates of Ashburnham and 
made oath to the above certificate before me. 

SAMUEL WILDER 

Town Clerk. 



EEVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. 159 

Reference is made in the following letter to a subject of 
which the result cannot be stated. The fact that Benjamin 
Clark was eventually mustered into service at Fishkill for 
nine months, and at that time the father, David Clark, had 
two full 3'ears to serve, would indicate that he was not 
accepted as a substitute for his father. 

ASHBORNHAM JunB 01 y" 1778. 
this is to sortify that Jonathan Benjeman has ingaged in the con- 
tinental sarvis nine monts and Likewise Benjeman Clark in the 
Rom of his father David Clark, he being a man in j-ears and I 
should be glad if you would except him in his romm. 

JONATHAN GATES, Captain. 
To Mr Worshbon the superentendent for the County of Worcester. 

In the summer of this year, a combined attack, by land 
and water, upon the British army at Newport, in Rhode 
Island, was projected. An army raised from the militia of 
New England was sent to reenforce General Sullivan, and to 
cooperate with the French fleet. Calls were also made this 
year for men to serve in defence of Boston and the military 
stores deposited there. In the former service there were at 
least four men from this town. They were enlisted or 
drafted in June to serve the remainder of the year. They 
were assigned to the company of Captain Benjamin Edgell in 
Colonel John Jacob's regiment, which was a part of the 
army under General Sullivan. They arrived home the first 
week in January, 1779. The descriptive list of the men 
from Ashburnham is of interest. 

NAME. TIME OF ENLISTMENT. TRAVEL. TIME OF SERVICE. WAGES. 

Ezekiel Metcalf, June 25th, 100 miles, 6 mos 12 days, £29-15-3 

John Chamberlain, June 24th, 100 " 6 " 13 " 29-1S-4 

David Chaffln, June 2oth, 100 " 6 " 12 " 29-15-3 

Simon Rodiman, June 26th, 80 " 6 " 11 " 29-5-8 



160 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

To meet the requirements for service at Boston, a number 
of men was drafted or recruited to serve three months. 
Among them were Jonathan Samson, Jr., Nicholas White- 
man and John Hall, who were assigned to the company of 
Captain John White of Lancaster, and stationed at Castle 
island. In service at this time and near Boston, were David 
Steadman and William Ward. The latter served only one 
month and was employed at Prospect Hill in guarding 
prisoners, the remains of Burgoyne's army. From this 
service he returned in season to enlist in Colonel Marshall's 
regiment, as stated in a former paragraph. 

Ashburnham was now required to furnish its proportion of 
clothing for the army. A resolve was adopted by the 
General Court, March 13, 1778, requiring each town in the 
State to furnish as many shirts, pairs of shoes and stockings, 
as would be equal to one-seventh part of all its male inhabi- 
tants. These articles were ordered to be collected in each 
county and forwarded to the army by the county agent, 
whereupon each soldier was to receive one shirt, one pair of 
shoes and one pair of stockings " as a present from the people 
of the State." Under this resolve, the quota of Ashburnham 
was immediately filled. If the quota of this town was seven- 
teen, more shirts were forwarded than was required, but it 
is probable that the excess of shirts was intended as an 
equivalent for a deficiency of shoes and stockings. If this 
supposition is correct, the quota of Ashburnham was twenty, 
which represents that at this time there were one hundred 
and forty male inhabitants in this town. The following 
letter of the selectmen is a part of this proceeding : 

To Mr. John Wait Agent and Receiver of Clothing for the 
County of Worcester 

Sir these are to inform you that we have complied with the 



REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. 161 

resolve of Cort last sent in providing clothing for the solgers. 
we have provided 

Seventeen pr of Shoes cost £3 pr i" £51 

and seventeen pr Stockings £1 :16-0 pr "'''' £30=12=0 
and twenty-seven Shirts at £l :16 apiece £48=12=0 
and as we have received no furder orders Since the Resolve of the 
general Cort concerning the Clothing we do send them by Dea" 
Samuel Wilder to j'ou to be Rec*^ as our part of the clothing for 
this time 

Sum total 
for Clothing 
Ashburnham Sept 16-1778 £130-4-0 
So we remain your friends & Humble Serv. 

OLIVER WILLARD ") 

JOHN CONN f- Selectmen. 

WILLM BENJAMIN ) 

To the Hons^'"'' Corts Committee we leave the Troble of Colect- 
ing and Cost of Transporting 37 miles to the agent to your Honors 
Judgment. 

This account was audited June 5, 1779. The price of the 
shoes was reduced to forty-eight shillings a pair and £5-11-0 
was allowed for transportation thirty-seven miles. 

Concerning the record of one of the continental soldiers of 
the town, an important fact remains as yet untold. Adam 
Rodiman deserted. If he had been a man of diminutive 
stature, like Benjamin Clark, it might reasonably be pre- 
sumed that he was temporarily overlooked and the record 
made before the oversight was noted, but he is described as 
twenty-three years of age, six feet high, dark eyes and hair 
and by occupation a blacksmith. Whether he repented and 
returned, whether he was returned by force without repent- 
ance, or whether he neither returned nor repented, does not 
appear in the records. It is known, however, that after the 

war he resided several years in this town. Ah ! Adam, 
11 



162 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

hadst thou known that one hundred and more j^ears after thy 
desertion of the post of duty, this act of thine would be 
recalled, that the faithful historian who records with impartial 
pen the deeds of the just and the unjust, giving at once to the 
principal inhabitant and most lowly citizen his fair measure 
of censure or praise as his life and service are revealed in the 
records and traditions of the town ; hadst thou known and 
realized all this, thou wouldst have remained to share the 
trial and dangers bravely endured by thy heroic comrades, 
and wouldst have conquered a cowardice that gives an only 
stain to the ensign armorial of the good old town of Ash- 
burnham. But, alas ! like thy progenitor, whose name thou 
bore, thou too didst fall. 

1779. The theatre of the war having been transferred to 
the Southern States, the call for men was less imperative 
than in the years preceding. At the same time the military 
spirit of the people waned with the removal of danger from 
the borders of New England. If the number of men was 
comparatively small, the labor in jirocuring them was no 
less onerous than in former years. In accordance with a 
resolve of the General Court, passed June 9, eight men were 
raised in July to recruit the continental army. Three of 
these men to serve nine months were mustered with the 

following description : 

ft. 
Ebenezer Conant, age 36, height 5 — 9 
Jacob Constantiue, "27, '' 5—9 

John Kiblinger, " 24, " 6—0 

The roll also announced that all of them were of dark 
complexion. Many of the continental men who entered in 
1777 were in Colonel Greaton's regiment at this time. 
Succeeding the repeated failures in the past, a successful 
attempt to dislodge the enemy from Rhode Island was made 



REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. 163 

this year. In this service Ashburnham was represented by 
at least five men who were drafted in eTuly and served six 
months. They were marched under command of Sergeant 
Stone to Providence, and at the close of the campaign were 
discharged at Newport. A part or all of them were assigned 
to Captain Thomas Fiske's company in Colonel Tyler's or 
Colonel Jackson's regiment. The names which have been 
found from nearly as many sources are as follows : Sergeant 
Joseph Stone, Jonathan Gates, Isaac Merriam, William 
AYinchester and Jonathan Winchester. In the autumn 
David Merriam took the place of his brother Isaac Merriam. 
In the early autumn, Ashburnham was required to send four 
men, styled fatigue-men, to serve three months under Cap- 
tains Henry and Wilson at Castle William and Governor's 
island. The men eno-ao-ed in this service were David 
Chafiin, Edward Whitmore, Nathaniel Kendall and David 
Samson. Daniel Bond of this town was in the service as 
fatigue-man at this time, but probably did not enlist at the 
time the others were recruited, and William Ward served 
three months this year at West Point in a company com- 
manded by Captain Burt of Harvard. At the close of the 
season the Northern army, which included the continental 
soldiers from this town, retired into winter quarters, — one 
division at West Point, New York, and the other at Morris- 
town, New Jersey. 

At the annual meeting, Isaac Merriam, Nathaniel Harris 
and Daniel Putnam were chosen a committee of correspond- 
ence. The selectmen were John Conn, Oliver Willard and 
Amos Dickerson. William Whitcomb was again selected to 
represent the town in the General Court at this session, 
which did not adjourn until October. He was permitted to 
join with his associates in a fruitless attempt to regulate by 
law the price of articles of merchandise. If such legislation 



164 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

;it all times and under all circumstances has proved futile, 
in this instance the legislators recognized the exigencies of 
the hour and manifested more courage than wisdom in the 
advancement of remedial measures. The ineffectual meas- 
ures of the Legislature were supplemented by the recom- 
mendations of county conventions. The convention which 
assembled in Worcester August 1 1 , proposed a schedule of 
prices for many articles of merchandise, and with great 
earnestness and solicitude, recommended the people to adopt 
them in the conduct of their business. 

In this proceeding the convention essayed to effect by 
appeal that which the Legislature failed to accomplish by 
the force of law. The town of Ashburnham promptly 
adopted the recommendations of the convention and chose 
Samuel Wilder, Captain Jonathan Gates, Jacob Harris, 
Moses Tottingham and Francis Lane a committee to 
encourage the people, and through the force of a firm, public 
sentiment compel them to adhere for a time to the stated 
prices. In these proceedings the necessities of the people 
were demanding relief. But the love of gain, the insatiable 
greed of speculation and the personal interest of the few who 
had the ability to profit by the necessities of the many 
rendered all these measures ineffectual. In February the 
General Court submitted to the people the proposition of 
calling a convention for the purpose of forming a State 
Constitution. The town of Ashburnham voted May 21, 
" That this State have a new form of Government as soon as 
may be, and also that our representative vote to have a State 
Convention called for that purpose." 

On an article in the warrant for the May meeting, "To see 
if the Town will allow Mr. Jonathan Samson and Mrs. Hem- 
menway for two small Deer sent in to the service," the 
decision was in the negative. The same fiite attended a 



EEVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. 165 

proposition to pay Deliverance Davis " for going to Albany 
for to carry cloathing to the soldiers." If these decisions of 
the town fail to satisfy the sensitive nature of loyal descend- 
ants, they can be consoled with the fact that there could not 
have been a great sum of money in the treasury, and any 
action on these points was quite immaterial so long as the 
soldiers had and enjoyed both the deer and the clothing. 
Having previously chosen a committee, consisting of Jacob 
Harris, Captain Jonathan Gates, Lieutenant Amos Dicker- 
son, John Adams and Francis Lane, to estimate and equalize 
the service in the army of each man in Ashburnham, -the 
town adopted the report of this committee August 30. That 
report if it had been preserved would have afforded the out- 
line of a more accurate history of Ashburnham during the 
Revolution than can now be written. 

Thursday, December 9, 1779, was a day of thanksgiving 
in all the States. The observance of this day is seldom 
noticed in history, but there are many evidences at hand to 
establish the fact that in many places there were religious 
exercises, and that our fathers, burdened with the weighty 
problems of the hour, and oppressed with the existing state 
of public affairs, did make a solemn effort to find occasion 
for thankfulness on this memorable day. The journal of 
Isaac Stearns informs us that the day was observed in Ash- 
burnham, and that Mr. Gushing preached from the text : 
^'The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them 
that have pleasure therein." 

1780. The record of death continues. Again the open 
ranks of the continental reijiments are the silent oracles of 
their valor. In prompt response to renewed acquisition for 
men, seven recruits from Ashburnham were mustered into 
the sei-vice for six months at Leicester. With other recruits 
they were marched from Springfield July 2, under command 



1G6 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

of Captain Phinelias Parker. These men were styled new 
levies, and were assigned to the Massachusetts regiments 
already in the held and stationed at West Point. The 
names of these recruits are found upon the descriptive lists 
on file in the State archives. 



NAME. 


AGE. 


STATURE. 


COMPLEXION. 


Samuel Metcalf 


19 


6—2 


light 


David Chaffin 


18 


5—9 


light 


Edward Whitmore 


16 


5— G 


light 


Elijah Mason 


19 


5—5 


light 


Simeon Rodiman 


18 


5— t 


dark 


Isaac Mcrriam 


18 


5—2 


light 


Jacob Rodiman 


20 









On another roll crediting this service to Ashburnham, is 
the name of Nathaniel Breed, but there is no other evidence 
that he was from this town. The service of these men and 
others in the continental army at this time covers an im- 
portant chapter of Eevolutionary history. They were wath 
the Northern army at the time of the treason of Arnold and 
the execution of Andre. In an application for a pension, 
David Chaffin alleges he was one of the guards and was 
within ten feet of Andr^ when he was executed. Isaac 
Merriam says he w^as in New Jersey when Andre was hanged 
and when Arnold attempted to deliver up West Point, and 
afterwards marched back to West Point and was there 
discharged at the expiration of six months. Edward Whit- 
more was in a detached service for a time but joined his 
regiment a short time before he was discharged. He says 
he recollects Arnold's treason and saw Major Andre 
executed. In July there was another requisition for men 
to serve three months. Jonathan Samson, Jr., Andrew 
Winter, Jr., and Reuben Rice, wdio removed to Ashburn- 
ham this year, entered the service and also served at West 
Point. 



REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. 167 

In the summer of this year, the men who enlisted for 
three years came home at different times in the order of then- 
discharge from the companies in which they had served. On 
the arrival of each little band, the pastor read their names 
the following Sabbath and offered the prayer of grateful 
thanks to Almighty God for their preservation from the 
dano-ers of war and their safe return to the avocations of 
peace. John White was probably discharged on account of 
disability the previous year. He continued his residence 
here and became an inhabitant of Gardner when that town 
was incorporated. 

The selectmen for 1780 were Samuel Wilder, Isaac 
Merriam and Francis Lane. For a committee of corres- 
pondence. Captain Deliverance Davis, Stephen Kandall and 
Jonathan Samson were selected and the town also made 
choice of Captain Deliverance Davis, Levi Whitney and 
Amos Lawrence to hire the soldiers for the ensuing year. 
The vote of this town upon the adoption of a State Con- 
stitution was an emphatic expression of approval and is 
mentioned in another chapter. In September, the civilian 
and the soldier, reaping the early fruits of the war, cast the 
first vote of Ashburnham for State officers chosen by the 
people, and at the same time Samuel Wilder was chosen as 
the last representative under the temporary form of govern- 
ment. 

The winter of 1779-80 was one of unusual severity. The 
men in Ashburnham brought wood for their daily fire upon 
their backs, and the brooks and springs being congealed by 
frost, a scarcity of water aggravated the discomforts of an 
inclement winter. The extreme cold and deep snow of that 
season were the theme of frequent remark as long as that 
generation endured. 



168 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

1781. The selectmen for this year were Jacob Harris, 
Hezekiah Corey and Enos Jones. For a committee of cor- 
respondence, the town selected Samuel Cutting, Timoth}- 
Fisher and Henry Winchester. At the same meeting in 
which these officers were selected, while struo:o:lino; with the 
burdens of the Revolution and at an hour when their burdens 
were most onerous, the inhabitants of the town were pre- 
pared to direct their attention to other questions and to give 
a serious thought to a proper observance of the Sabbath. 
There was an article in the warrant for this meeting, " to see 
if the town will pass any vote to prevent travelling on the 
Sabbath." The succeedins; article was the one of set form 
which appeared in the annual warrant for many years : " to 
see if the town will let swine run at large the ensuing year." 
As would rationally be expected of our devoted worthies, 
they voted to put every legal restraint upon men and 
proffered the freedom of the town to the swine. 

If a smaller number of men was required for the army 
this year, they were procured with increased effort and 
under great financial embarrassment. While the three years' 
men were being raised, there was an intermediate call for men 
to recruit the army while the enlistments for a longer time 
were slowly progressing. These men were more easily 
procured. In June Corporal Phinehas Hemenwa}^ Jona- 
than Merriam and William Ward enlisted. They were 
assigned to Captain Sibley's company in Colonel Drury's 
regiment and were discharged the last of November. This 
was the seventh enlistment of William Ward. With the 
close of the preceding year came a call for more men to 
serve three years in the continental army. The town, 
embarrassed by the depreciated currency which had nearly 
become worthless, and by their inability to offer anything 
more substantial than a promise, passed the following vote 



REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. 169 

as an encouragement to any who might be prevailed upon to 
enlist : " Voted that each man that will engage to serve in 
the army for three years shall have eighteen head of three 
years old cattle given him when his time is out, and if he be 
discharged in two years then said cattle are to be but two 
years old or if he serve but one year they are to be but one 
year old, all to be of middling size." In other words, the 
soldier was to receive a bounty of eighteen calves and the 
town was to keep them of middling size as long as the 
soldier remained in the service. The vote is an apt illustra- 
tion of the straits to which our worthy fathers were driven 
in the solution of the financial problems which attended their 
daily lives and official labors. The cattle bounty was not 
favorably received. The proposition savored of veal. The 
town could not retract its step and again offer a bounty in 
currency, for that in the mean time had utterly failed. 
There could be no failure in the end. The originators of 
the calf project are again found equal to the emergency. 
They called to their aid in alluring their fellow-townsmen to 
enlist, the click and gleam of silver and gold. They offered 
each man who would enlist for three years, ninety pounds 
lawful money as it was rated in 1774. There was substance 
in this proposal. True, the tender was not necessarily in 
specie, but it was of a known and absolute value and equiva- 
lent to three hundred dollars. This vote was adopted in 
February and two months later five men were mustered into 
the service for the term of three years. All of them were 
described as of light complexion. 

David Clark 24 yrs of age 5 feet 9 inches in stature 

Jonas Benjamin 19 " " " 5 " 10 " 

John Coolidge 17 " " "■ 5 " 3 " 

James Ledget 27 " " " 5 " 5 " 

John Mar— (blurred) 29 " " " 5 " 7 " 



170 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

In Auoust following: the committee was instracted "to 
hire the two three years men that were still wanted on the 
best terms they can." Near the close of the year the men 
were procured. 

Peter Rodiman, age 16, height 4 feet 11 inches, enlisted 
December 9. A boy of that age and stature enlisting for 
three years might be expected to look pale, but the muster 
rolls assert that at the time of engagement, he was of dark 
complexion. The other man was our old acquaintance, 
Benjamin Clark, who has added two inches to his stature 
since his former entrance into the service. One week after 
the enlistment of Rodiman , the other name was added to the 
muster rolls. Benjamin Clark, age 20 years, height 5 feet 6 
inches, complexion light, and occupation, farmer. This was 
the last enlistment from Ashburnham. At the close of the 
war, young Clark returned to this town and in 1787 re- 
moved to Reading, Vermont. The three years' men were 
called for in resolve of the General Court adopted December 
2, 1780. The call was for four thousand two hundred and 
forty men and the quota of this town was seven. It has 
appeared that more than a year elapsed before the town 
was able to secure all the men. Eventually the General 
Court took note of the delinquency and imposed a line 
amounting to four hundred and twenty-eight pounds and five 
shillings. In the mean time the town had fulfilled the 
demand and petitioned the Legislature to remit the fine, 
which request was granted : 

To THE Honourable Senate and House of Representatives 
IN General Court assembled : 

The Petition of William Whitcomb in behalf of The Town of 
Ashburnham Humbly sheweth that the said Town of Ashburnham 
is Fined in the Last State tax for a Deficiency of two three years 



REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. 171 

men which were absolutely Raised & marched agreable to the 
Resolve of the 2'"' of Dec'' A. D. 1780 & subsequent resolves as 
will appear by the Receipt of the Superintendent ; your Petitioner 
therefore Prays That 3'our Honours would take the matter into your 
wise Consideration & Grant an abatement of the fines. As in 
Duty bound shall ever Pray 

WILLIAM WHITCOMB. 

In support of their petition the town produced the receipts 
for the required number of men, signed by Colonel Seth 
"Washburn of Leicester, superintendent of enlistments. 

Leicester June y^ 26 178L 

Received of the town of Ashburnham five men who have enlisted 

and past muster &c., &c. 

SETH WASHBURN 

Superintendent. 

These were David Clark and the four others named in a 
former paragraph. 

Leicester March y'^ 27 1782. 

This day received from Ashburnham Benjamin Clark a solger 

for the term of three years. 

S. WASHBURN Supt. 

Leicester June 11 1782. 
This day received from the town of Ashburnham one man to 
serve three years. 

S. WASHBURN Supt. 

The last receipt probably refers to Peter Rodiman and it 
will be observed that all the receipts are dated some time 
subsequent to the entry of enlistment on the military rolls. 
It is possible that these receipts were of set form and were 
issued by Colonel Washburn, whenever the town had need 
of them, as vouchers in answer to the demands of the 
General Court. 



172 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

The five soldiers who were recruited in the summer for 
three years according to tradition were hurried on to New 
York and from thence immediately proceeded with the army 
under Washington to Virginia, and there is ample evidence 
to sustain the assertion that some of the men enlisting this 
year remained in the service until near the close of the year 
1783. The discharge of David Clark signed by General 
Knox is dated December 24, 1783. 

The name of Jacob Winter appears in Captain Wilder's 
company in 1775. His subsequent service is not known, 
but he died a prisoner at Halifax in the autumn of 1777. 
The death of Samuel Mason, mentioned in the annals of 
1778, is recorded by Mr. Cushing in September, 1777, and 
Jacob Lock who was in the same service died a few weeks 
later. He was a son of John Oberlock whose children 
assumed the name of Lock. The same year Francis Ken- 
dall died, as stated by Mr. Cushing, "on his way from the 
army." 

And now after these years of carnage in the field and of 
denials and endurance at home, the curtain falls at York- 
town. The campaign of 1781 is ended. The nation's hope 
gleams in the bayonet and flashes in the sword of the return- 
ing soldier, while the hardships of the campaign are witnessed 
in his weary progress and the results of an exhaustive war 
are felt on every hand. 

In the pursuit of the narrative through the foregoing 
pages, the burdens of taxation and other incidents of the 
home life of our fathers during the Revolution have been 
suffered to remain for mention in separate paragraphs. At 
the beginning of the war the colonists were not without 
resources but were unskilled in the art of finance. The 
colonial wars in which the people had been engaged had been 
maintained by a paper currency which though depreciated in 



REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. 



173 



some measure was eventually redeemed by allowances from 
the treasury of England in the payments for service rendered 
by the colonies. The paper money of the Revolution had 
no such foundation. After a brief season of apparent 
solidity it gradually depreciated in value until in 1781 it 
utterly failed and suddenly went out of circulation by 
general consent. The experience of the people of Ashburn- 
ham from this source was probably no greater and certainly 
no less than that of other towns. Sums of money voted by 
the town for specific purposes so rapidly depreciated in value 
before the tax could be assessed and collected that the appro- 
priation became inadequate for the purposes proposed and 
frequent disputes concerning balances arose between the 
debtor and the creditor. Explanatory of the intrinsic value 
of sums of money mentioned in the preceding and subse- 
quent pages, the following table commencing with the year 
1777 when the depreciation in earnest began will represent 
for each succeeding month the number of pounds that were 
equivalent to one hundred pounds of standard value : 



1777 



1778 



1779 



1780 



1781 



January 
February 
March . 
April . 
May 
June 
July . 
August . 
September 
October 
November 
December 



100 


325 


742 


2934 


7500 


104 


350 


868 


3322 


7500 


106 


375 


1000 


3736 


7500 


110 


400 


1104 


4000 


7500 


114 


400 


1215 


4800 


7500 


120 


400 


1342 


5700 


12000 


125 


425 


1477 


6000 




150 


450 


1630 


6300 




175 


475 


1800 


6500 




275 


500 


2030 


6700 




300 


545 


2308 


7000 




310 


634 


2393 


7300 





The burden of taxation is seen in the following excerpts 
from the town records. Other sums were assessed for war 
purposes under command of the General Court, of which no 
entry was made in the current volume of records. 



174 



HISTOKY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



1778 December 16. 

1779 February 18. 
1779 August 30. 

1779 September 13. 

1780 January 27. 
1780 June 14. 



1780 



1781 



June 27. 



1780 July 3. 



March 5. 



1781 August 20. 



We have assessed the inhabitants and estates 
in said town in the sum of £401-19-6 and 
have committed tlie lists to the constables 
for collection. 
Town and county rate committed for col- 
lection £357-9-11. 
Voted and granted £6150 to defray the 
charges of the war. 
We have assessed the inhabitants and es- 
tates in Ashburnham in the sum of 
£26364-7-0 and have committed the same 
to the constables for collection. 
Committed for collection state and county 
rate amounting to the sum of £4328-9-0. 
Voted and granted £2500 to defra}^ town 

charges. 
Committed State tax for collection amount- 
ing to £6966. 
Voted and granted £7000 to defray the 
charges of the war and that the committee 
give security for any money that may be 
hired. 
Voted that each man be allowed fifteen 
pounds per day for labor on the highway. 
Voted and granted £300 silver money for 

town charges. 
Voted that the constables take four shil- 
lings in lieu of one hundi-ed dollars old 
emission from those persons who are be- 
hind in rates. 



By a resolve of the General Court adopted in September, 
1780, Ashburnham was required to supply the army with 
three thousand one hundred and twenty pounds of beef. 
The new obligation was promptly met by the town. 



REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. 175 

1780 October 5. Voted that Amos Lawrence buy 3120 lbs. 

of beef for the army. 

In December following the General Court made a second 
requisition for beef and again the inhabitants of Ashburnham 
are assembled in town meeting prepared to second the pro^ 
visions of the Legislature for the support of the army. 

1780 December 27. Voted and granted £7200 for buying beef 

for the army. 

Probably on account of the depreciation of the currency, 
this sum proved inadequate for the purpose. The proportion 
of Ashburnham was five thousand nine hundred and ninety- 
two pounds. 

1781 January' 15. Voted and granted £1800 to be added to 

£7200 granted at the last meeting and voted 
that Capt. Francis Lane purchase the beef. 

In June followino; came another demand fi-om the Lesfisla- 
ture and another town meeting was the natural sequence. 
This meeting was convened July 11, and after listening to 
the requisition, the town chose Captain Lane " to buy the 
beef wanted," and at the same meeting instructed their agent 
to procure the beef for which the town was in arrears on the 
former requisitions. Either reminded of their delinquency, 
or prompted by a sense of duty, the town are assembled 
again in August and pass the final vote on the subject in 
choosing Benjamin Lane to buy all the beef that is wanted 
for the army. The last requisition was for twelve thousand 
four hundred and seventy -three pounds. 

Among the cumulative burdens of the Revolution, and 
another item in the extended list of the demands upon the 
resources of a patriotic and uncomplaining people, was a 
second requisition for clothing which came simultaneously 



176 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

with the thn-d and hist requisition for beef. It was a 
renewed appeal to the patriotism of the times. Our worthies 
neither faltered nor complained but promptly paid every 
demand upon their slender means and every tithe upon 
their daily toil. In addition to the meeting for the choice of 
State officers, there were seven town meetings in the year 
1781, and the burden of them all was to raise money and 
consequently to increase the lien upon their future crops and 
the future labor of themselves and their families. During 
the closing years of the war the experience of the patriot at 
home, oppressed by poverty and met by the vigilant demands 
of increasing taxation, is a sublime exhibition of patience 
and courage. Frequently compelled to surrender to the oft- 
returning tax-gatherer the choicest of his herds and the 
ripening product of his fields, making contributions of beef 
from the needs of his family and dividing his garments with 
the soldier in the field, he teaches posterity the sacrifices 
made and the price paid for national existence. Ever 
prominent in the annals of Ashburnham and seen in the 
li2:ht of the lustre of the achievements in the field will be 
the home trials and the sacrifices which attended the daily 
life of the patriot citizen. 



CHAPTEK VI. 

REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. CONTINUED. 

PERSONAL NOTICES. EBENEZER 5IUNROE. ABRAHAM LOWE. JOSEPH 

JEWETT. — SAMUEL KELTON. — REUBEN TOWNSEND. — ISAAC STEARNS. — 

WILLIAM STEARNS. ISAAC WHITMORE. CHARLES HASTINGS. DAVID 

WALLIS. CYRUS FAIRBANKS. EBENEZER WALLIS. THOMAS GIBSON. 

JONAS RICE. REUBEN RICE. ELIAKIM RICE. JABEZ MARBLE. 

LEMUEL STIMSON. ABRAHAM TOWNSEND. — JOHN BOWMAN. JOSHUA 

FLETCHER. JOSEPH MERRIAM. ASA BROCKLEBANK. JONATHAN GATES. 

JONATHAN SAMSON. EZEKIEL S. METCALF. DAVID CLARK. DAVID 

CHAFFIN. EBENEZER B. DAVIS. ISAAC MERRIAM. DAVID MERRIAM. 

JOHN WINTER. AVILLIAM WARD. EDWARD WHITMORE. REUBEN 

RICE. ABRAHAM LOWE. JOSEPH JEWETT. — REUBEN TOWNSEND. 

LEMUEL STIMSON. JONAS RICE. JABEZ AND OLIVER MARBLE. 

THOMAS GIBSON. CHARLES HASTINGS. JOSEPH GIBBS. DAVID WAL- 
LIS. — CYRUS FAIRBANKS. JOSHUA FLETCHER. JOSEPH MERRIAM. 

NAMES OF PENSIONERS RESIDING IN ASHBURNHAM 1840. 

A CONSIDERABLE number of the citizens of this town who 
removed hither during the last years, or soon after the close 
of the Revolution, had previously served in the army. 
While their service constitutes no part of the history of Ash- 
burnham in the Revolution, these men subsequently became 
so intimately connected with the affairs of this town that the 
events of their lives are a part of its general history and 
their sei'vice in the war, even if performed while they were 
residing elsewhere, claims admission in this record of the 
lives and services of the citizens of Ashburnham. 

Ebenezer Munroe, who removed to this town about 
1782, where he lived highly respected until his death May 

12 177 



178 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

25, 1825, was a prominent actor in the engagement at 
Lexington, which is clearly established by the depositions 
of those who were engaged on that occasion. Replying to a 
remark made by a comrade as the British began firing that 
they only fired powder, Ebenezer Munroc exclaimed, "They 
have fired something besides powder now for I am wounded 
in the arm." He then discharged his gun receiving two 
balls from them in return, but neither did serious harm. 
His deposition was taken April 2, 1825, only a short time 
before his death in which he says, "After the first fire (of 
the regulars), I received a wound in my arm ; as I turned to 
run I discharged my gun into the main body of the enemy. 
Another l)all passed between my arm and my body and just 
marked my clothes, one ball cut off a part of my ear-locks 
which were pinned up. The balls flew so thick I thought 
there was no chance of escape and that I might as well fire 
my gun as stand still and do nothing." He claimed that he 
fired the first gun on the American side. Being wounded he 
mounted a horse and rode from town to town alarming the 
people and carrying with him the convincing proof that the 
war in earnest had begun. 

Abraham Lowe, while a resident of Lunenburg, was in 
the service two months at the siege of Boston, two months 
commencing December 1, 1775, and five months in New 
York in 1776. He was also a volunteer at the Bennington 
alarm in 1777. 

Joseph Jewett, then residing in Bolton, enlisted for 
eight months in the spring of 1778, and served in New York. 
Enlisted again in 1779 in Colonel Denney's regiment; also 
served at West Point three months in 1780 in Colonel Eand's 
regiment. 

Samuel Kelton, then of Necdham, was a sergeant in 
Captain Aaron Smith's company, at Lexington alarm, and a 



KKVOLUTIONAllY HISTORY. I79 

captain iu Colonel Patterson's regiment in the siege of 
Boston. He was known in Ashbnrnham as Captain Kelton 
fi'om the date of his removal hither. 

Reuben Townsexd, then a citizen of. Shrewsbury in 

1776, served in New York five months and nine months in 

1777. His first enlistment was in Colonel Smith's regiment 
and the second in Colonel Bigelow's regiment. 

Isaac Stearns, previous to his removal from Billerica, 
was a soldier in the siege of Boston eight months and par- 
ticipated in the battle of Bunker Hill. 

"William Stearns, a brother of Isaac, was in the same 
company and for the same length of time. He removed to 
this town soon after this service. 

Isaac Whitmore, while a resident of Leominster, was in 
Captain Maxwell's company in Colonel William Prescott's 
regiment for one year commencing January 1, 1776, and 
was discharged at Peekskill, New York. No record of 
service after his removal to this town has been found. The 
war record of Edward AYhitmore, being performed after his 
removal to this town, is found in the preceding chapter. 

Charles Hastings, then living in Princeton, served two 
months in 1776 in Rhode Island, also six months in 1777 in 
Colonel Keyes' regiment, and this service was also in Rhode 
Island. Enlisted again iu 1778, and was a guard over 
prisoners from Burgoyne's army at Watertown and later at 
Rutland. This service was three or four months. Immedi- 
ately after he enlisted in Colonel Wade's regiment and served 
six months again in Rhode Island and was in the enffiiofe- 
ment at Newport ; also was in the continental army six 
months commencing July, 1780, and serving a part of the 
enlistment in Colonel Greaton's regiment he was transferred 
to Captain Haskell's company of Light Infantry under 
General Lafayette. This service was at West Point. 



180 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

David Wallis, then a resident of Lunenburg and a youth 
of seventeen years, was in the service one month in Captain 
Bellows' company and was at Fort Edward. In 1778 he 
was three months at Castle William, again in 1779 he served 
three months in Captain Martin's company stationed at 
Governor's island and Castle William. 

Cyrus Fairbanks, then residing in Harvard, was a volun- 
teer at the Lexington alarm and subsequently a drummer 
eight months in Captain Jonathan Davis' company ; was 
stationed at Cambridge and at Prospect Hill. In 1776 was 
a drum-major in the army near the Hudson, was also at Fort 
Edward one month in 1777. 

Ebenezer Wallis, at the age of fourteen years, was in 
the service three months at West Point in 1780. The fol- 
lowing year he enlisted again for three months and was at or 
near West Point. The first service was in Colonel Rand's 
regiment and the last service was in Colonel Webb's regi- 
ment. After the war he resided in Lunenburg and in 
Vermont, removing to Ashburnham about 1830. In 1835 
he started for New York and died on the way. 

Thomas Gibson, then of Fitchburg, served five months 
in the siege of Boston and two months in 1776 in New York. 
In 1777 he served in Captain Thurlo's company and in 1780 
he again enlisted for three months and joined the Northern 
army at and near West Point. He also served a few months 
at Boston harbor. Removed to Ashburnham very soon after 
his last term of service. 

Jonas Rice, then residing at Salem, was a volunteer at 
the alarm at Lexington and served eight months in the siege 
of Boston. He then removed to Sterling and from there 
enlisted in 1776 for five months and was assigned to the 
army in New York. In 1777 he served two months in 
Rhode Island. Removed to Ashburnham in 1779. 



REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. 181 

Reuben Rice was drafted at Lancaster December, 1776, 
for a term of three months and served the time in New 
Jersey. While temporarily residing in Winchendon in 1777 
he served in Captain Boynton's company in New York. In 
the spring of 1780 he removed to this town and was subse- 
quently in the army at West Point. 

Eliakim Rice removed to this town in 1779 or 1780. 
He resided here several years and removed to Hartland, 
Vermont. While a resident of Salem he served two or more 
enlistments. He was at the siege of Boston in Colonel 
Bridge's regiment. His company, in which was his brother 
Jonas Rice, was engaged at the battle of Bunker Hill. 

Jabez Marble, then of Stow, served from October, 1775, 
to March, 1776, at the siege of Boston in Captain Brooks' 
company. Colonel Dyke's regiment. This service was per- 
formed for his twin brother Oliver, who had previously 
served three months of an enlistment for eight months. 
Only the name of Oliver Marble is found, as Jabez Marble 
answered to that name while completing the term of his 
brother. He served terms of two months each in 1777 and 
1779, both in Rhode Island, and in a later campaign in the 
same locality he served three months in 1780. The two 
brothers removed to Ashl)urnham from Stow, 1780. 

Lemuel Stlmsox, who removed to this town near the 
close of the war, had previously served two or more enlist- 
ments. He was in the siege of Boston and was engaged in 
the battle of Bunker Hill. His second service was at 
Ticonderoga in 1776. He was a native of Weston and 
resided in that town until he removed to Ashburnham. 

Abraham Townsend removed to this town about 1778, 
where he resided many years. Later he removed to Berlin, 
Vermont. He was in the service eight months at Fishkill 
in 1778. No further record has been found and there is no 



182 HISTORY OF ASBBUHNHAM. 

reason to })i'esiiine tliat ho was not in the service at other 
times during the war. 

John Bowman, who resided in Lexington until after the 
Revolution, removed from Andover to this town about 1810, 
served four enlistments and is found on the rolls of service 
in New York and Rhode Island. 

Joshua Fletchp:k, then of Westford, served an enlist- 
ment of seven months in Boston harbor and again three 
months at Boston. lie then in February, 1777, entered the 
continental army for three years and was in Captain Thomas* 
company. Colonel Marshall's regiment. He was at the 
battle of Stillwater, the surrender of Burgoyne, and passed 
the winter at Valley Forge. Following the army in 1778 to 
New York on account of disability he was granted a leave of 
absence August 29, 1778, but was unable to rejoin the army. 
He removed to Ashburnham about 1810. 

Joseph Mereiam, then of Lexington, served two months 
in Rhode Island in 1779. In the following year he was one 
of the six months' recruits in the continental army, being 
assigned to Colonel Marshall's reoiment. This service was 
in New York. In 1781, he again enlisted by agreement 
with the town of Bedford, and counted on the quota of that 
town and was again assigned to the Northern army on the 
Hudson. He removed to Ashburnham at the close of the 
war and subsequently to Templeton. 

Asa Brocklebank, while residing in Rindge, served two 
enlistments. He removed to this tow^n in 1777 and returned 
to Rindge after a residence here of several years. 

It is possible, and the conjecture is reasonable, that the 
names of some revolutionary soldiers, who resided in this 
town during the war or soon after removed hither, are not 
included in these pages. Indeed, it has been shown that 
there were demands for men and quotas were filled in 



REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. 183 

several instances where only a part of the names could be 
ascertained. 

The fact that there were more enlistments than are here 
recorded is additional credit to the town and augments its 
patriotic record. In the preceding chapter and in the fore- 
going record of service, nothing has been assumed. If 
service in the army was not sustained by the record it has 
been neither disputed nor asserted. It has now become 
a fact that the men of the Revolution who did not win 
the laurels of war by personal service have had them 
thrust upon them by the generous and applauding lips of 
tradition. The missing rolls of many Massachusetts regi- 
ments give unusual license to conjectural statements, but 
affirmative testimony is the prime requisite of historical 
statement. In every instance an honest eftbrt has been 
made to obtain all the available record on any subject, and 
while employing every established fact, the more fanciful 
narrative of tradition has always been heard with many 
grains of allowance ; and if for these substantial reasons the 
history of Ashburnham is not as extended as might be 
desired, it is mainly correct. 

The following statements made by the actors in the great 
drama of the Revolution were secured through the generous 
favors of Hon. Henry W. Blair, United States Senator from 
New Hampshire. These papers were received after the 
material for the preceding chapter collected from many 
sources had been arranged in the order of events. Of great 
interest in themselves they also sustain the outlines of the 
narrative to which they are subjoined. These papers, being 
the sworn statements of the revolutionary soldiers in support 
of their several applications for pension, are authentic 
accounts of their service. It is a matter of reg-ret that the 
personal statement of all who bore arms in the war for 



184 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

independence are not preserved. It is suggested at once that 
only the younger soldiers were living at the time these appli- 
cations for pension were made. It also appears that some 
of the applicants gave only a partial account of the service 
performed. In such cases, doubtless, it was not deemed 
necessary to assert and prove more than one or two enlist- 
ments, and, seizing upon those terms of service which could 
be most easily proved, no mention was made of additional 
service. Others, it will be observed, present a full account 
of each enlistment. 

Jonathan Gates, whose affidavit introduces these interest- 
ing accounts of personal service, was a son of Captain Jona- 
than Gates. When an infant, and previous to the date of 
incorporation, the family removed to this town. September 
11, 1832, at the age of seventy years, he says : 

I. He enlisted at Cambridge in April, 1775, in Captain David 
Wilder's company, of which Jonathan Gates, Sen., was lieutenant, 
in Colonel Asa Whitcorab's regiment, and marched from Cambridge 
to Prospect Hill where he remained during the eight months of his 
enlistment, and after the expiration of his time he volunteered to 
stay until new recruits came, and stayed there three mouths longer, 
making eleven months in all. 

II. In September, 1777, a short time before the taking of 
Burgoyne, enlisted at Ashburnham under Captain Jonathan Gates, 
Sen., for one month. Colonel Bellows commanded the regiment 
and we marched for the place when Burgoyne was taken near 
Beaman's Heights. 

HI. Enlisted at Ashburnham soon after the taking of Bur- 
goyne, thinks it was in 1777, under Captain Whitney; marched 
to Castle William and was there three months on guard over 
prisoners from Burgoyne's army. 

IV. Enlisted at Ashburnham in 1778 or 1779 [it was in 
December, 1777] for three months under Captain Jonathan 
Gates, Sen., marched to Bound Brook, New Jersey, and remained 
there for the full term of his service. 



REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. 185 

V. In 1780, or 1781 [it was in 1779], enlisted for six months 
at Asliburnham in Captain Fiske's company, in Colonel Jackson's 
regiment and remained there for his term of service. 

In 1833 Mr. Gates gives additional particulars of his last 
service and says, "That orders were received for a certain 
number of men to go to Rhode Island ; thought the number 
required of Ashburnham was seven, and he turned out as 
one of the seven. No officer but a sergeant went out with 
them. The sergeant was Joseph Stone. When they reached 
Providence, he was requested to go into Captain Fiske's 
company. He thinks that Captain Fiske's first name was 
Jared. He was not sure he had given the year correctly 
but it was when the British lay on Rhode Island. After 
about two months' service he was detailed with seventeen 
others, a lieutenant, one corporal and sixteen privates, to go 
on board a prison ship in which were thirty- two British 
prisoners ; the ship lay at Fox Point, below Providence. 
He was on this ship about six weeks and received a wound 
on his head by the breech of a musket. The prisoners rose 
upon them one night and got possession of some of the guns. 
He was struck on the head in coming up the hatchway and 
bore the marks then (1833) of the blow. They succeeded 
in getting the mastery over the prisoners without the loss of 
any lives on the part of the guard, but two of the prisoners 
were missing. Soon after this he was detailed with twenty 
others to go to Bristol after hay for the continental horses. 
The hay was brought upon three boats, seven men to a boat, 
the whole under command of Lieutenant Nestle." 

He further alleges, "that he was born at Harvard Septem- 
ber 27, 1762, and lived at Ashburnham during the war." 
He moved to Salisbury, New York, 1798, to Antwerp, New 
York, 1815, and to Champion, New York, 1818. 



186 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

JoxATiiAN Samsox, eldest son of Jonathan Samson, was 
born at Harvard, May 7, 1759. The family settled in this 
town previous to date of incorporation. His statement was 
made in this town September 6, 1832, in which he says : 

I. He enlisted in December, 1775, for six months and went to 
Roxbur}', Massachusetts, and was put into the militia company 
of Captain Hill of Harvard. Thomas McBride of Boston was 
lieutenant and Samuel Sawin of Westminster was ensign. 

II. Again enlisted in early part of summer of 1776 for four 
and a half months and went to Dorchester, Massachusetts, and 
was put into militia company of Captain Manasseh Sawyer of 
Sterling. Samuel Sawin of Westminster was lieutenant and the 
ensign was Carter. He was employed the whole time in building 
forts at Dorchester Heights. 

III. Again enlisted in December, 1776, for three months in 
the last named company, and was stationed during this service at 
Dorchester Point near Boston. 

IV. He also entered the service in July or August, 1777, was 
called out. A detachment of Burgoyne's army had made an in- 
cursion into Vermont and a call was made on Ashburnhara for 
volunteers to go to oppose this force. Says be marched with 
about twenty others. They went as far as Charlemont, Massa- 
chusetts, where they were ordered to wait further orders and while 
there the company was dismissed. They volunteered for one 
month but were out only about three weeks. 

V. Again enlisted in April, 1778, for three months in a militia 
company commanded by Captain White of Lancaster, Massa- 
chusetts, and was stationed on Castle island in Boston harbor. 

VI. Again enlisted in July, 1780, for three months, and 
marched to West Point, New York, and on his arrival there was 
put in a company commanded by Captain Reed, The lieutenant 
was Brigham of Northborough, Massachusetts. Arnold had com- 
mand there during this time and his plot to surrender to the enemy 
was discovered during this time. 



REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. 187 

William Ward, of Ashburnham, says "that he served with 
the claimant dm-ing the last enlistment." 

John Hall, of Ashburnham, says that "he served with the 
claimant during the fifth service." 

EzEKiEL Shattuck INIetcalf, a son of Joseph Metcalf, 
was born in Groton October 13, 1759. The family removed 
to Ashburnham, 1770. He died May 31, 1831. In support 
of the widow's application for a pension, the following state- 
ments were made at Ashburnham, August 26, 1839 : 

Eunice (Brooks) Metcalf, widow of Ezekiel Shattuck Metcalf, 
alleged that her husband served as an orderly sergeant and private 
in the war of the Revolution. She thinks that he served thirteen 
or fourteen mouths in all ; and that one terra was in Rhode Island 
and one at Roxbury, and that one of said services was rendered 
under Captain Gates and the other under Captain Jackson of 
Gardner. That later he rendered a service at Bennington at the 
time of the battle there in Captain Edgell's company, and says she 
was in the field with her father and while there Metcalf came to 
the field, being on the way to the north part of Ashburnham, to 
warn some of the soldiers to go to Bennington. Says she was an 
inhabitant of Groton at the time when Metcalf rendereil his first 
services, but that he resided at Ashburnham from early childhood 
to his death. 

Margaret (Metcalf) Townsend, widow of the elder Reuben 
Townsend, September 10, 1839, sa^-s she was a sister of Ezekiel 
Shattuck Metcalf, and that he being only sixteen years old served 
six weeks at Roxbury. Only four went from Ashburnham and 
her brother and her father were two of them. She remembers of 
preparing clothing for her brother and that he again entered the 
army for six months and served in Rhode Island. He left home 
then in the spring and while gone his tent was burned and he lost 
a part of his clothing and sent home for a new suppl}' which we 
prepared and sent by my brother Samuel. He was an orderly 
sergeant in this service. She saj-s her father and brother left for 



m 



188 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHA.M 

Roxbury on the six weeks' tour in the month of November or 
December, and that her father was a sergeant in the company at 
home, but not at Roxbur^'. 

Charles Hastings, of Ashburnhara, March 10, 1840, alleges that 
he enlisted from Princeton, that he served six weeks in Rhode 
Island with Metcalf and was in another company of the same regi- 
ment, and that after the war he purchased a farm near Metcalf 
and they often talked over their service. He had heard Metcalf 
say he was an orderly sergeant in that service. 

On file with these affidavits, tliere is an original order 
which was put in as evidence in tlie case. 

AsHBURNtlAM Jau'}^ 15 1782. 
To Mr. Capt. Benjamin Edgeal, 

Sir please to pay to the Barer the State pay for the sarvis I did 
in your company in the year 1778 and this Resept shall be your 

distorg for the same. 

EZEKIEL METCALF. 

Samuel Metcalf, a brotlier of Ezelviel, was born March 
15, 1761, and died December 25, 1822. Tlie widow alleges 
"that he served in Captain Gates' company of Asa Whit- 
comb's regiment at the alarm April 19, 1775." If so, he 
was only fourteen years of age and his name does not appear 
on the rolls of the company. She was his second wife and 
was born in 1776, and possibly could be in error in regard 
to the events of the war. In the case are filed minutes from 
muster rolls which prove service of Samuel Metcalf in 
Captain Joseph Sargeant's company in Rhode Island, 1777 ; 
in Captain Cowdin's company to reenforce the continental 
army in 1779 ; and his name appears on list of six months' 
recruits in 1780. In this case there was also filed an oris-inal 
order, as follows : 

AsHBURNHAM July 3 1784. 

Sir: Please to paj' to Sewill Moore the whole of my conti- 
nental wao;es that is due me for three months service done in the 



REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. 189 

year 1779 and this shall be your sufficient discliarge for the same 
as will appear by the Captain's books. 

SAMUEL METCALF. 
Attest : Rebecca Metcalf 

Sarah Winchester. 

It was represented in the preceding chapter that David 
Chirk and his sons, David and Benjamin, were in the service 
much of the time during the war. The family removed from 
Concord to Ashburnham previous to 1765. 

David Clark, Jr., under date of April 14, 18 18, .testifies 
to one term of service. It is known that he was in the army 
at other times. He alleges that he served in the continental 
establishment from March, 1781, to December 24, 1783; 
first, in the company of Captain Kilby Smith in the Sixth 
Massachusetts Regiment, and then in the same company in 
the Second Massachusetts Regiment after the reduction of 
the Sixth, under Major Burnham, commandant. Clark's 
original discharge, signed by General Henry Knox, is on 
file, with his application for pension. In July, 1820, Clark 
made an additional statement in which he asserts, " he is a 
farmer in Ashburnham, has a wife Sarah, aged fifty-three 
years, whose health is good ; a daughter Grata, aged 
seventeen years, who is feeble ; a daughter Sally, sixteen 
years, who is in good health, and a son George Washington, 
aged eight years. These," he says, "are all the children who 
reside with me." 

David Chaffin, a son of Timothy Chaffin, was fourteen 
years of age in 1775 when the family removed from Harvard. 
Increasing in years and probably in stature, he became a 
soldier in 1777. He says : 

I. He was drafted in August, 1777, at Ashburnham for three 
months [his father was drafted and he went as a substitute], and 
marched to Bennington, thence to Stillwater and there joined the 



190 HISTORY OF ASHBUUNIIAM. 

main army and remained there until Burgoyue surrendered ; then 
went to Half Moon, thence to Albany, and was there taken sick 
and was discharged by Major Rand and arrived home at Ashburn- 
ham, November 1. 

II. In June, 1778, was drafted at Ashburnham for six months ; 
marched to Providence, and from there into the Island, thence to 
Tiverton where he was discharged by Captain Edgell and arrived 
home January 4 or 5, 1779. 

III. In September, 1779, at Ashburnham, enlisted for three 
months, as a fatigue-man, under Captain Henr}-, marched to^ 
Boston, thence to Castle island and Governor's island, where he 
served out the time. 

IV. In 1780, enlisted at Ashburnham for six months; marched 
under Captain King to Springfield and there joined the regiment 
commanded by Colonel Bradford and went to West Point and was 
one of the guard and within ten feet of Major Andre when he was 
executed. Remained there until discharged and reached home the 
last of December, 1780. 

Daniel Bond, then of Claremont, New Hampshire, in July, 
1833, testifies that "he served with Chaffin at Boston in 1779 
and also says that at one time Chaffin went for his father who 
had been drafted." 

Chaffin removed to Claremont, New Hampshire, soon after 
the Revolution and was residing there when his application 
for pension was made. 

Ebenezer Bennett Davis, son of Captain Deliverance 
Davis, was born in Littleton February 4, 1761. In his 
infancy the family removed to this town. His statement is 
brief but it includes three years of time and the service 
modestly stated was severe in the extreme. April 14, 1818, 
he alleges that " he enlisted in the continental establishment 
May 26, 1777, and served until May 26, 1780, in the 
company of Captain Haffield White in the Fifth Massachu- 



REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. 191 

setts Regiment, commanded by Colonel Rufus Putnam in 
General Nixon's brigade." 

His original discharge is on file with his. application. 

This certifies that Bennett Davis has served three years in the 
fifth Massachusetts Regiment Being the full term of his Inlist- 
ment. Has conducted Himself as a good and faithful soldier and 
is hereby Discharged the Service. 

Given under My hand at Quarters Soldiers fortune this 26 day 

of May 1780. 

HAFFIELD WHITE 

Capt. Com'*' 

He states in explanation that he was discharged in the 
Highlands in the State of New York and that he enlisted 
under the name of Bennett Davis, but that his full name is 
Ebenezer Bennett Davis. 

Isaac Merriam came to Ashburnham previous to 1774 
and remained a resident of this town until after the Revolu- 
tion. In 1833, then a resident of Northumberland, New 
Hampshire, alleges that he enlisted at Ashburnham and 
served three months at Boston harbor, does not remember 
the date. 

II. Again in 1779 enlisted at Ashburnham for six months in 
Captain Fiske's company in Rhode Island, and thinks the service 
commenced in the spring. When he had served three months, his 
brother David came and took his place as his substitute. 

in. Again enlisted at Ashburnham, he thinks in 1780, for six 
months ; did not remember whether he was then in the Continental 
or State Service. He marched to Springfield and then to West 
Point where he remained about a month and then marched into 
the Jerseys and was there, when Arnold attempted to deliver up 
West Point and when Major Andre was hanged ; was there about 
a month or more and while there marched through a place called 
Topon or Tampacin and a place called English Neighborhood, also 



192 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

a place called Haverstraw. Afterwards he marched back to West 
Point and was there discharged. In this service he belonged to 
General Patterson's brigade and Colonel Bradford's regiment. 
While he was at West Point two men were sentenced to be and 
were shot, he does not recollect for what, and two were condemned 
to run the gauntlet for forging discharges from General Poor and 
deserting. He saw the sentence executed. 

David Merriam, a brother of Isaac Merriam, presents 
in 1832 the evidence of several enlistments. He was then 
living in Brandon, Vermont. 

I. He alleges that in 1776, then living at Ashburnham, he 
enlisted January 27, and marched to Dorchester and labored on 
the forts. The enem}' killed four men while he was at Dorchester. 
The next day they picked up one thousand four hundred balls. 
It was in March, a few days before they evacuated the place. 
Was discharged at Dorchester. 

II. In 1777, when they heard of Burgoyne's approach, he 
enlisted for two [one] months in Captain Gates' company of 
Colonel Bellows' regiment. We marched to Bennington but did 
not arrive until a day or two after the battle, then marched to 
Fort Edward where he joined the Rangers and joined the main 
army at Stillwater. He was again at Fort Edward, where he was 
discharged, at the time Burgoyne surrendered. 

III. In 1779, he again enlisted for three months in Captain 
Fiske's company and marched to Providence, thence to Bristol, 
and when the enemy left Newport they marched in. Was sick part 
of the time and was discharged after three months' service. [The 
name of Isaac Merriam is borne on the rolls from July, 1.779, to 
January, 1780, which includes the service of the two brothers in 
this campaign.] 

It also appears that the attention of the claimant was 
called to the fact that in the first service at Dorchester his 
name was not borne on the roll of Captain Manasseh Sawyer's 



REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. 193 

company after the last day of February, and that he made a 
subsequent statement in which he alleges : 

That be must have been in service at Dorchester in 1776, later 
than the last da}' of February and that he was there in service 
when the British left Boston ; he saw them when they sailed out 
of the harbor and saw our officers enter the other side of the town ; 
this was the seventeenth of March. He might have been assigned 
to some other company but recollected that he was certainly there 
then. He says that one week before the British left he was a 
part}' of three hundred to go at night and build a fort on Dor- 
chester Point, next to Boston, and that the British discovei-ed 
their object and kept up a constant cannonade all night and four 
men were shot dead by his side. 

" His attorney," he says, "put two services in 1777, for one 
month each together and called it one service of two months. 
That at the time of the battle of Bennington he was out one 
month and immediately after he was out one month and joined 
the army under General Gates, and that his captain in this service 
was Jonathan Gates." 

In support of the statement of the claimant in regard to 
his first enlistment, Jonathan Samson and Ebenezer Bennett 
Davis, "both of Ashburnham, alleged that they served with 
and were messmates of David Merriam at Dorchester in 
1776 in the company of Captain Manasseh Sawyer of 
Colonel Dyke's regiment." 

John Winter, a son of Andrew Winter, a name written 
Windrow in the early records of the town, was born March 
1, 1756, about two years before the family with other Ger- 
mans settled in Ashburnham. He died in this town June 
19, 1811. The widow made application for pension, pro- 
ducing copies from muster rolls to prove that he was in the 
continental army three years, having served in Captain Haf- 

field White's company of Colonel Putnam's regiment from 
13 



194 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

May 2G, 1777, to December 31, 1779, unci continuously in 
the Light Inftintry until May 2i], 1780. The principal 
witness Margaret (Metcalf) Townsend alleges in 1846, 
" that she well recollects when John Winter Avent into the 
army as he was a near neighbor of her father and says that 
he with others who were o-oins: into the service attended ser- 
vice the Sabbath before they left for the army and asked 
prayers in their behalf as was the custom of the time, and 
that when the said John Winter with Timothy Johnson, 
Ebenezer Bennett Davis and Thomas Ross returned from 
their three years' service, they again attended church and 
their names were read and thanks returned for their safe 
return which was customary at that time." 

William Ward was born in Waltham June 5, 1757, and 
came to this town when fifteen years of age with his older 
brother Caleb Ward. A few years later he purchased land 
in the northeast part of the town where he resided until his 
death. In the preceding chapter it appears that he com- 
pleted seven terms of service during the war. In his appli- 
cations for pension made in 1818, 1830 and 1833, he does 
not refer to his last enlistment and service under Captain 
Sibley in 1781, but his name appears on the muster roll. 
]\Ir. Ward and other soldiers in the company of Captain 
Gates in 1777 afiirm that they were in the regiment of 
Colonel Benjamin Bellows, a New Hampshire regiment. It 
appears that this statement of Mr. Ward was questioned 
and he explains, at length, the circumstances of the case. 
This company from Ashburnham is not found in the rolls of 
Colonel Bellows' regiment. It is probable ' that Captain 
Gates' company, being suddenly called into the field, was 
not included in any regimental organization but was more 
closely allied to Colonel Bellows' regiment than to any 
other. 



REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. 195 

I. Mr. Ward alleges that he enlisted May, 1776, for two 
months and served in a militia company commanded by Captain 
Sergeant of Princeton ; marched to ProA'idence, thence to Boston 
Neck, thence back to Providence where he was discharged ; that 
while at Providence he labored on a fort at Beacon Hill. 

II. That in July, he thinks, 1777, he volunteered to oppose a 
detachment of the British army that was defeated at Bennington 
and at this time marched from Ashburnham to Charlemont, 
Massachusetts, where he remained about one month. He cannot 
recollect his officers for this tour of duty. [This service was 
under Captain Jonathan Gates.] 

III. That in September, he thinks, 1777, he again enlisted at 
Ashburnham for one month and served in a company of militia 
commanded by Captain Gates of Ashburnham in the regiment of 
Colonel Bellows of Walpole, New Hampshire ; marched through 
Charlemont, Williamstown, Massachusetts, and Bennington, 
Vermont, to Fort Edward, New York, where he remained until 
his discharge, and where he was at the time of Burgoj'ne's 
surrender. 

IV. That in the spring of 1778, April, he thinks, he enlisted 
for one month and served at Prospect Hill, near Boston, that he 
was engaged during this term in guarding prisoners, a part of 
Burgoyne's army, who were kept in the barracks at Prospect Hill. 
He did not remember his officers at this time. 

V. That he enlisted about the first of June, 1778, for a service 
of nine months in Captain William Warner's company of Colonel 
Marshall's regiment of General Patterson's brigade of Massachu- 
setts line and was discharged March 7, 1779. 

VI. That in the month of September, 1779, he thinks, he 
again entered the service for three months under the following 
circumstances : Francis Lane and Oliver Willard, two of the 
principal inhabitants of Ashburnham, requested him to enlist and 
as an inducement engaged to clear four acres of new land for him. 
He thinks that they were authorized by the town to offer such in- 
ducements. He served the three months at West Point in a com- 
pany commanded by Captain Burt of Harvard and Lieutenant 



196 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Aananias Rand. Lieutenant Rand was cashiered, he thinks, for 
larceny. The}' marched from Ashburnham through Springfield 
and Hartford to West Point, New York. 

In the last statement explaining how he remembers about 
his service of thirty days at the time of the capture of 
Burgoyne in 1777 and how he remembers the name of 
Colonel Bellows of Walpole, New Hampshire, "I have 
good reason for remembering the name " which is as 
follows : 

" On the night previous to the surrender of Burgoyne, I was on 
guard with a 3'oung man, about my own age, in the woods nearly 
half a mile fi'om Fort Edward, at a quarter where it was feared 
the Indians might make an attack. In the course of the night I 
swapt guns with said young man. The next morning he came to 
see me wishing to ' swap back,' which I declined and he left me ; 
but fearing I might lose a good bargain I immediately exchanged 
the gun with one Gates, a brother of my captain. It was not long 
before this young man came with an officer who desired me to 
return the gun, and not being pleased with the replies I made, he 
left, and in a few minutes returned with a file of men and ordered 
me to the guard-house. This I remember was early in the after- 
noon and the news of Burg03'ne's surrender was received while I 
was thus confined. Our company was immediately dismissed and 
I was relieved from confinement by order of Major Bridge. The 
officer who came with the young man aforesaid, was Colonel Bel- 
lows, and he it was who ordered me to the guard-house. When 
we arrived at Fort Edward, Captain Gates told us we were to 
serve under New Hampshire officers and that the Colonel's name 
was Bellows. We were quartered in brush huts a short distance 
from Fort Edward, and were allowed to follow our inclinations 
with a few salutary restraints. I cannot remember that we were 
ever paraded or exercised with Colonel Bellows' regiment." 

Charles Hastings of Ashburnham, 1832, corroborates the 
statement of Ward in regard to the service in Captain Sar- 



KEVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. 197 

gent's company in 1776 and says that he (Hastings) served 
in the same company. 

Jonathan Samson of Asliburnham, 1832, corroborates as 
to the last service of William Ward and says that he served 
at the same time and adds that about twenty men then 
volunteered from Ashburnham and served without pay or 
rations, volunteered for one month but served only about 
three weeks. 

Nicholas Whiteman of Ashburnham, 1832, corroborates 
the statement as to service at Fort Edward in 1777 under 
Captain Jonathan Gates, and says he (Whiteman) was in 
the same service, and also corroborates Ward's last state- 
ment and adds that he thinks about thirty volunteered from 
Ashburnham ; also says that they were paraded ])efore 
Colonel Bellows and Major Bridge who furnished them with 
refreshments, said to have been taken from Burgoyne's 
boats as they were attempting to pass down the river. 

Edward Wiiitmore, youngest son of Joseph Whitmore, 
was born in Leominster, August 12, 1763. 

Soon after the removal of the family to this town he 
entered the army at the age of sixteen years. In the 
foUowino; statement he has "iven an intelliijent account of 
his service. 

He sa^s that iu September or October, 1779, he enlisted at 
Ashburnham for three months with William Kendall, David 
Chaffin and Abraham Samson [it was probably Nathaniel Kendall 
and David Samson], being the number called for from Ashburn- 
ham. He marched directly to Boston with written instructions 
from his captain or from the selectmen (he could not say which) , 
to go to the State House in Boston ; when they arrived there they 
were ordered to Castle island ; there remained a short time, then 
went to Governor's island in the harbor of Boston, there employed 
in repairing the fort on Castle William and clearing the trenches 



198 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

at Governor's island under the command of Captain Wilson. The 
engineer's name wlio had charge of the works was Burbanks. He 
next enlisted for six months with six others, David ChaflSn, Samuel 
Metcalf, Isaac Merriam, Jacob Rodiman, Simon Rodiman and 
Elijah Mason, in the month of June, 1780, marched from Ashburn- 
ham to Leicester ; there mustered, from thence to Springfield ; again 
mustered and put under command of one Captain Parker ; from 
thence to West Point ; there stationed a few days and then divided 
and sent to the several companies in which they were to serve. 
He was put into Captain King's company. Colonel Bradford and 
Lieutenant-Colonel Bassett, Fourteenth Massachusetts Regiment, 
Major Smith, General Patterson's brigade. Soon after he was 
placed under Captain King, the troops were called for to march to 
White Plains, cross from White Plains to Robinson's Farm ; there 
received counter-orders, and from thence to Verplank's Point, 
there one or two days, and from there across King's Ferry to 
Orangetown, he thinks ; from there to Totoway, Tunic Plains, 
Peramus and other places, and in the month of October or 
November marched to a place called New Windsor, above West 
Point ; there employed in taking care of what was called the Park, 
military stores and arms ; there about one month and then joined 
his regiment at the Highlands ; remained there about one week 
and then received his discharge. He well recollects Arnold's 
leaving West Point. Saw Major Andre executed, which he thinks 
took place at Paramus. 

Isaac Whitmore of Ashburnham, a brother of Edward 
Whitmore, says that Edward left their father's family iu 
June, 1780, to join the continental army, and that about the 
first of January, 1781, "I went from home for the purpose 
of assisting my brother on his return to my father's and met 
him at Simsbury, Connecticut, as near as I can recollect." 

Rp:uben Rice was born in Lancaster, now^ Bojdston, 
August 10, 1757. He served one term in the army after 
his removal to this town in 1780. 



REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. 199 

I. He alleges he was drafted at Lancaster in November or 
December, 177G, for three months and served in the company of 
Captain Eager of Sterling. They proceeded to Bound Brook, 
New Jersey, by -wa,j of Worcester, Danbury and Morristown, 
crossing the river at King's Ferry. That their duty was to protect 
the person and property of the inhabitants from plunder and insult 
b}" detachments from the British army which lay near b}'. They 
also had about a dozen prisoners of war under guard. 

II. In September, 1777, again enlisted in the militia company 
of Captain Boynton of Winchendou, where he then resided, for 
the term of one month. They marched to Saratoga by way of 
Northfield and Bennington, then went up the river to Fort 
Edward, then down the river a few miles. This last move was 
near the time of Burgoyue's surrender. He saw the arms of the 
enemy stacked on the field after they had marched off and saw a 
party of Canadians start for Canada after the surrender. 

III. In July, 1780, again enlisted in a militia company of 
Captain Boutelle of Leominster, of Colonel Rand's regiment. 
Marched to West Point where he remained during this term of 
three months' service. During this service, Arnold attempted to 
betra}' the American army. 

Eliakim Rice of Hartlaiid, Vermont, a brother of Reuben 
Rice, testifies that " both were in the service at about the 
same time but not in the same com[)any." 

Thomas Gibson of Ashburnham testifies to service with 
Reuben Rice at "West Point in Captain Boutelle's company. 

Dr. Abraham Lowe gives an intelligent outline of his 
service under date of October 16, 1832. 

I. He alleges that about December 1, 1775, he entered service 
as a volunteer in the militia company of Captain William Pope, 
the lieutenant being Thomas Hartwell, he thinks. He enlisted 
from Lunenburg and marched to Dorchester and remained in that 
service for two months, although the enlistment was for six weeks 
only. 



200 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

II. Ho enlisted about July 1, 1776, for five months, from 
Lunenburg in militia company of Captain Jabez Keep of Harvard. 
He marched to New Haven, went thence by water to New York 
city ; was there when the city was taken by the British under com- 
mand of General Fellows. He was on guard near the Bower}- on 
the morning when the British landed above there and took pos- 
session of the city. General Putnam came to their assistance and 
took them away. He was discharged about December 1, 1776. 

III. In summer of 1777, it being reported that the Hessian 
troops were marching on Bennington, he volunteered under Daniel 
or David Carlisle of Lunenburg. They marched to Charlemont, 
where they heard of the battle of Bennington and went no farther. 
After a service of about a month, he returned home. 

Joseph Jewett in his application for pension only asserts 
one enlistment and that in concise terms. He says that 
while residing in Bolton he enlisted in the month of May or 
June, 1778, in Captain John Drury's company of Colonel 
Woods' regiment. He proceeded to White Plains with a 
small party and there joined his company ; was on duty at 
Fishkill and AYliite Plains and employed during the winter 
in buildin": barracks and drawino: timber. He was dis- 
missed at Peekskill after he had completed his tour of eight 
months. 

After his death the widow made a renewed application for 
pension and said her husband did not state all of his service 
when he applied for pension. At that time she presented 
proof of other service which is stated in a former paragraph. 

Reubex Townsend was born in Shrewsbury August 23, 
1758, where he continued to reside until he removed to this 
town about 1780. 

I. He alleges that in June or July, 1776, he enlisted in Cap- 
tain Newton's company of Colonel Smith's regiment, for five 
months, and was discharged at Philips Manor, New York, iu 
December, 1776, or January, 1777. 



EEVOLUTIONAEY HISTORY. 201 

II. In 1777, he enlisted in Captain William Gates' company 
of Colonel Bigelow's regiment — the Fifteenth Massachusetts — 
for eight months, and was discharged at Valley Forge with an 
allowance for paj"^ for nine months. 

Lieutenant Joseph Pierce certifies tliat lie enlisted Reuben 
Towusend about the first of May, 1777, in the continental 
service for the term of eight months and that he was allowed 
one month's extra pay for helping build the barracks at 
Valley Forge and that after discharge the said Townsend 
had to march nearly four hundred miles before he reached 
his home. 

Lemuel Stimson was born in Weston, July 11, 1758, 
and removed to this town in 1780. In his application for 
pension dated October 16, 1832, — 

He alleges that he enlisted while residing in Weston, in May, 
1775, for eight months, in the company of Nathan Fuller of New- 
ton, in Colonel Gardner's regiment ; that he was stationed at 
Cambridge during the entire service, and was engaged in the 
battle of Bunker Hill, and that Colonel Gardner was wounded 
in said battle and died the third day after, and Colonel Bond of 
Watertown succeeded Colonel Gardner. 

II. He enlisted again in .Tune or July, 1776, for five months, in 
the company of Captain Charles Miles of Concord, in Colonel 
Reed's regiment, and marched to Ticonderoga, by way of Fitch- 
burg, Winchendon, Keeue, Charlestown (No. 4) and Rutland ; 
was stationed at Ticonderoga nearly all of the service, often em- 
ployed in transporting wood across the lake for the use of the 
army, and was discharged at Albany in November, was also 
residing at Weston at time of last service. 

Jonas Rice, a son of Zebulon Rice and a brother of 
Reuben and Eliakim Rice, was born in Lancaster, now 
Boylston, February 16, 1754. At the time of his first ser-^ 
vice he was residing in Salem and the subsequent service 



202 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

was performed while he was a resident of Sterling. He 
removed to this town, 1779. 

I. He alleges that he enlisted April 19, 1775, in a company of 
volunteers, at Salem, commanded by Captain Derby and marched 
to Cambridge. After a week of service he enlisted at Cambridge 
for eight months in the company of Captain John Bachelor of 
Colonel Bridge's regiment. [This company was engaged in the 
battle of Bunker Hill.] He was stationed during all of this ser- 
vice on Cambridge common at the house of one Hastings ; that he 
was employed under General Putnam in an attempt to construct a 
fort on Lechmere Point, from which they were driven by British 
ships. 

II. He again enlisted in the summer of 1776, for five mouths 
in militia company of Captain Samuel Sawyer. Marched from 
Sterling through Worcester, Hartford and New Haven to New 
York city ; remained a few days in New York and then moved up 
the Hudson about two miles ; was on duty at Fort Prescot when 
the city of New York was given up to the British. He then 
moved up to Harlem Heights where he remained through the rest 
of this service. 

III. He again enlisted about July 1, 1777, for six months in 
militia company of Captain Francis Willson of Holden, Colonel 
Keyes' regiment. He marched to Leicester, thence to Providence, 
thence to a place about two miles south of Greenwich, thence 
through "Warren to Tiverton and thence back to Providence. 
During this term of service he went to Point Judith to assist in 
collecting boats to be used in an attack on Newport. In sailing 
around the point many of the boats were destroyed, eight men 
drowned and the contemplated attack was abandoned. 

Eliakim Rice, brother of Jonas, of Hartland, Vermont, 
but formerly of Salem, testifies that he served with his 
brother in the first service named commencing April 19, 
1775. 



REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. 203 

Jabez and Oliver Marble were twins and their service 
in the army partook of the close alliance of their lives. 
They were born in Stow September 15, 1755, and removed 
to Ashburnham 1789. 

I. Jabez Marble alleges that in the fall after the British left 
Boston he went to Eoxbury and took the place of his brother as a 
private soldier in Captain Caleb Brooks' company of Colonel 
Benjamin D3-ke's regiment, and served a tour of three months at 
Boston and was verbally discharged on the seventh of March, 
1777. 

II. In May, 1777, he enlisted for two months in Captain John 
Gleason's company. Marched from Stow to Providence where he 
was stationed until about seventeen days before his time was out, 
when bis company and Captain Hodgman's marched to Greenwich 
for the defence of tbe coast ; remained there about two weeks and 
then returned to Providence where he was discharged. 

III. He again enlisted at Stow in August, 1780, in company 
of Captain Moses Briutnall of Sudbury, Colonel Howe's regiment. 
He went to Rhode Island and was stationed tbe entire tbree 
montbs at Butt's Hill and was emploj'ed on fatigue duty building 
a fort. 

In a subsequent statement explaining his service as sub- 
stitute for his brother he says that his brother's name was 
Oliver Marble ; they were twins and that about two months 
prior to the end of Oliver's term of service his brother 
became sick and he took his place for the balance of the 
term and always answered to his brother Oliver's name 
when it was called. 

Thomas Gibson was born in I^uncnburg, now Fitchburg, 
1753, and resided there until the close of the war. After a 
temporary residence in Ashby he removed to this town, jn-e- 
vious to 1787. 

I. He alleges that he enlisted in the spring of 1775, for five 
months in Captain Stearns' militia company in Colonel Doolittle's 



204 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

regiment. He lived at Fitchburg and marched tlience to Winter 
Hill near Charlestown where he remained during the term of 
service. There were also continental troops at Winter Hill. 

II. He again enlisted in September, 1776, at Fitchburg for 
two months in Captain Jonathan Woods' militia company of 
Colonel Converse's regiment. He marched to Dobb's Ferry, near 
West Point, passing through New Haven. Made several marches 
from Dobb's Ferry, one to Fairfield, Connecticut, towards New 
York city, etc. There were continental troops at Dobb's Ferry a 
part of the time while he was there. He remembers that on one 
occasion they brought a field-piece to bear upon a vessel at anchor 
oflf Dobb's Ferrj' and drove her down the river. 

III. Again in July, 1780, he enlisted at Fitchburg for three 
months in the militia company of Captain Boutelle of Leominster 
of Colonel Rand's regiment. Marched through Worcester, 
Hartford and Faiifield to West Point. Arnold's treachery was 
discovered during this term of service, which enables him to fix 
the year as 1780. He saw Washington at West Point shortly 
after Arnold's treason was made known, that he was on guard 
when Washington rode up. 

IV. In September, 1777, he thinks, he enlisted and served 
thirty days at the taking of Burgoyne in the militia company of 
Captain Thurlow of Fitcbburg ; was posted first at Batterskill and 
after at Fort Edward to prevent the British crossing the Hudson. 

V. In April or May, the year he does not recollect, but thinks 
it was towards the close of the war, he enlisted for three months 
in the militia company of Captain Joshua Martin of Lunenburg 
and served at Castle William in Boston harbor, in the regiment of 
Colonel Jones. There were continental troops on the island who 
were quartei'ed in the fort and militia were outside in barracks. 

Reuben Rice of Ashburnliam testifies that he served with 
Thomas Gibson from July, 1780, in Captain Boutelle's com- 
pany. 

Ebenezer Wallis of Ashburnham testifies that he served 
with Thomas Gibson in the tour from September, 1780, at 
West Point. 



REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. 205 

Charles Hastings was born in Princeton, November 2(), 
1760, and removed to this town, 1783. While a resident of 
Princeton, he entered the army five times. September 6, 
1832, he gave the following intelligent account of his 
service : 

I. He alleges that he enhsted in May, 1776, for two mouths 
in a militia company commanded by Captain Sargeant of Princeton 
in the regiment of Colonel Josiah Whitney. He marched to 
Leicester, thence to Providence, thence to Greenwich, Rhode 
Island, thence to Boston Neck, and thence back to Providence. 

II. He again enlisted at Leicester in June, 1777, for six 
months in Captain Willson's company of Colonel Keyes' regiment. 
He marched to Providence, thence to Greenwich, he thinks, thence 
to Bissell's mill, about two miles from Providence, and thence 
back to Providence. That during these two terms, there were 
only a few troops in Rhode Island and the}" were employed in 
guarding the coast. 

III. He again enlisted about April 1, 1778, in militia company 
of Captain Nathan Harrington. Marched to Roxbury and thence 
to Watertown where they were employed in guarding a part of the 
prisoners from Burgoyne's array. Marched from Watertown with 
prisoners to Rutland, where they remained guarding said prisoners 
to July, 1778, when he was discharged. The guard was com- 
manded by Major Reuben Reed. 

IV. He again immediately enlisted July, 1778, for six months, 
in the militia company of Captain Belknap of Colonel Wade's 
regiment. Marched to Providence, thence to Obdike Newtown, 
or a place of some similar name ; thence to Newport where they 
joined a continental brigade. Engaged in the battle of Newport 
in October, 1778, and retired from there to Tiverton, thence to 
Obdike Newtown and thence to Providence. 

V. He again enlisted about July 1, 1780, for six months for 
service in continental army. He was ordered to Springfield and 
then marched to West Point and joined a company in Colonel 



206 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Greaton's regimeut of General Nixon's brigade. Soon after was 
transferred to the Light Infantry under General Lafayette, Cap- 
tain Haskell's company and Colonel Gimmatt's regiment with 
which he continued to the fall of 1780, when he returned to his 
former company from which he was discharged. 

William Ward testifies to service with Charles Hastings 
from May, 1776, in Captain Sargent's company. 

Jonas Rice of Asliburnham testifies to service with Charles 
Hastings in Captain Willson's company from June, 1777. 
Says that while at Providence they were quartered in the 
college. 

Joseph Gibes, son of Joseph and Hannah (Howe) Gibbs, 
was born October 12, 1756. During the Revolution, he 
resided in Princeton and removed to this town previous to 
1786. Commencing in May, 1775, he served eight months 
in the siege of Boston in the company of Captain Adam 
Wheeler in Colonel Doolittle's regiment. Seven companies 
of Colonel Doolittle's regiment, including the company of 
Captain Wheeler, were engaged in the battle of Bunker Hill, 
and of the regiment nine were wounded. The name of 
Joseph Gibbs, of Princeton, is borne on the rolls of those 
who served eight months in the siege of Boston. Many in 
this service reenlisted and served under Washington at New 
York, but the date of his return to Princeton does not appear. 
In July, 1780, he enlisted for three months in the company 
of Captain Ephraim Stearns in Colonel John Rand's regiment. 
This service was at West Point and King's Ferry and a part 
of the time under the immediate command of Washington. 
In the same service was Jonathan Samson, Andrew Winter, 
Jr., Thomas Gibson, Ebenezer Wallis and Reuben Rice, who 
were subsequently his neighbors in Ashburnham. 

David Wallis was born in Lunenburg October 15, 1760. 
He removed to this town about 1795, where he resided until 
his death. 



REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. 207 

I. He alleges that in September, 1777, he enlisted in a com- 
pany of militia under Captain Bellows and he thinks Colonel 
Bellows of Walpole, New Hampshire, was in command of the 
regiment. He enlisted for one month, marched to Fort Edward 
via Northfieid and Bennington and was there when Burgoyne 
surrendered. 

II. In April, 1778, he enlisted at Lunenburg in militia com- 
pany of Captain Merick of Princeton of Colonel Stearns' regi- 
ment for three months. Marched to Dorchester and then to 
Castle "William in Boston harbor. There were two companies of 
militia and one of continental artillery on the island. 

III. In April, 1779, he enlisted at Lunenburg for three 
months in Captain Joshua Martin's company of Colonel Jones* 
regiment and served at Castle William. They were emploj'ed in 
building fortifications. During this service the artillery company 
was ordered to Rhode Island for a few days. He was ordered 
several times to Governor's island. 

Nicholas Whitemaii of Aslibiirnham testifies that he served 
with David Wallis, on Castle island from April, 1778. 

Thomas Gibson of Ashburnham testifies to service with 
David Wallis in Captain Martin's company in 1779 at Castle 
William. 

Cyrus Fairbanks was born in Harvard, May 29, 1752, 
and removed to Ashburnham, 1788, where he died at the 
advanced age of one hundred years, June 18, 1852. He 
oives an account of three terms of service while residincr in 
Harvard. 

I. He alleges that on April 19, 1775, then residing in Harvard, 
he volunteered to oppose the British then marching on Concord. 
He proceeded to Concord and thence to Cambridge. After 
remaining there about a week enlisted as a drummer for eight 
months in the Massachusetts militia company of Captain Jonathan 
Davis in Colonel Asa Whitcomb's regiment and served out full 



208 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

term. He was first quartered on Cambridge river about a mile 
from the college and afterward on Prospect Hill. 

II. In the month of September, 1776, he again enlisted at 
Harvard for two months as a drummer in the militia company of 
•Captain Hill of Colonel Converse's regiment. Marched via Worces- ^ 
ter, New Haven, Fairfield and White Plains to Dobb's Ferry, 
where he remained until his time was out. He says he served as 
drum-major during this term. The regiment was employed in 
transporting supplies up the river. 

III. In the month of September, 1777, when Burgoyne was 
advancing he enlisted at Harvard for one month. Marched to 
Petersham where his company was organized and he chosen 
corporal in militia company of Captain Hill, he thought. He 
marched to Fort Edward passing through Bennington ; remained 
in service entire term of his enlistment. 

Joshua Fletcher was born in Westford February 22, 
1760, and removed to this town about 1810. He was a 
resident of Westford durino- the followino; service : 

I. He alleges that he first entered service for seven months 
In Captain Abisha Brown's company of Colonel Whitney's regi- 
ment of Massachusetts forces and served at Nantasket island in 
the harbor of Boston to the end of his term. 

II. He next served at Boston three months under Captain 
John Minot. 

III. He next entered the army on the continental establish- 
ment, February, 1777, for three years and was mustered at 
Boston and proceeded in Captain Philip Thomas' company of 
Colonel Marshall's regiment of Massachusetts line to Ticonderoga 
and was at Fort Miller, Saratoga, Valley Forge and White Plains. 
He served one year and eight months when he was taken sick 
with a fever and a sore on his breast and was furloughed until he 
should recover. He did not recover until after the close of the 
war and was never able to rejoin the army. The following is a 
copy of the leave granted. 



REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. 209 

Camp at White Plains, August 29, 1778. 
His excellency approves that Joshua Fletcher, soldier in Col. 
Thomas Marshall's regiment of Massachusetts Bay State shall 
have leave of absence until the recovery of his health and spirits 
and then to return to his duty. 

The Bakon de Kalb 
M. G'. 

Joseph Merriam was born in Woburn February 3, 1763, 
and lived in Lexington and Bedford during the war. It 
appears that he removed from Bedford to Ashburnham 1784, 
and remained several years when he removed to Templeton 
and subsequently returned to Ashburnham. 

I. He alleges that in the fall of 1779 he enlisted for two 
months in company of Captain Samuel Heald of Carlisle in 
Colonel John Jacob's regiment. He marched to Providence 
where they encamped about three weeks and then marched to 
Tiverton and when the British left Rhode Island they went over 
Howland's Ferry to Butt's Hill where he remained until dis- 
charged in November, 1779. 

II. In 1780 he enlisted for six months in Lieutenant-Colonel 
Thompson's company .as it was called, but it was commanded by 
Ensign Thayer, in Colonel Marshall's regiment — the Tenth Massa- 
chusetts. He joined the regiment at West Point where they were 
encamped for nearly three weeks, when he was detached with 
several others to King's Ferry and put under the orders of 
Colonel Brewer and employed in conveying troops and baggage 
over the river, after which he joined his regiment at Verplank's 
Point and proceeded with his regiment to New Jersey and after 
serving out his six months was discharged at West Point in 
Januaiy, 1781. 

III. In 1781 the town of Bedford hired him to go into the 

continental service for three mouths. He was mustered in, he 

thinks, by Colonel Brown of Tewksbury and then proceeded to 

New York State and joined the army at Gallows Hill. He was 
14 



210 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



immediately put under orders of Colonel Procter, a militia officer, 
and went about seven miles to one Captain Knapp's farm to 
guard cattle, where he remained about three weeks when he 
returned to camp and was taken by Major Keyes, who was a 
deputy-quartermaster-general in care of forage, as his waiter. He 
was stationed at Peekskill and his quarters were near General 
Heath's. He remained on this duty during the remainder of his 
service. 

Some of the revolutionary soldiers to whom pensions were 
granted had died before the date of any complete list that has 
been discovered. In 1840 there were remaining in this town 
thirteen revolutionary soldiers and three widows of soldiers 
who were pensioned. 

Cyrus Fairbanks survived his venerable associates. 



Lemuel Stimsou 

Charlotte Lowe, widow of Dr. Lowe, 

Thomas Gibson 

David Clark 

Joshua Fletcher 

Jabez Marble 

Joseph Jewett 

Zilpah Rice, widow of Jonas Rice, 

John Bowman 

William Ward 

Jonathan Samson 

Margaret Townsend, widow of Reuben 

Townsend, 
Isaac Whitmore 
Joseph Merriam 
Charles Hastings 
Cyrus Fairbanks 



died September 22, 1840 

" May 5, 1841 

" June 11, 1841 

" July 5, 1841 

" April 14, 1843 

" December 23, 1843 

" May 3, 1847 

" July 22, 1847 

" October 22, 1847 

" December 3, 1847 

" December 9, 1847 

" March 20, 1848 

" May 2, 1848 

" April 4, 1849 

" November 28, 1850 

" June 18, 1852 



CHAPTER VII. 

STATE RELATIONS, POLITICS, TO^VN OFFICERS. 

A SEASON OF DISQUIETUDE. SHAYS' REVOLT. THE LOYAL SENTIMENT OP 

ASHBURNHAM. VOLUNTEERS TO SUPPRESS THE REVOLT. ISAAC STEARNS' 

DIARY. A BLOODLESS CAMPAIGN. CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS. 

REPRESENTATION IN THE LEGISLATURE. VOTE OF THE TOWN FOR GOV- 
ERNOR. PROPOSED DIVISIONS OP THE COUNTY. A LIST OF TOWN 

OFFICERS. 

At the close of the Revolution the situation of the country 
was perilous and critical. The difficulties of a public nature 
were changed in character by the close of the war but were 
not removed and peace brought no immediate relief to the 
financial difliculties which had attended the prosecution of 
the war. The resources of the State w^ere exhausted while 
the towns were sroanino; under the burden of debt. In the 
extremity of the hour, the most oppressive systems of taxa- 
tion were adopted, and if strenuous measures were demanded 
by the necessities of the times they did not put money in the 
purse of the tax-payer. In continued efforts to pay the taxes 
incident to the times, individuals had suffered their liabilifies 
to accumulate and creditors, seizing upon the agency of new 
laws and reestablished courts, resorted to legal process in the 
collection of debts. The tax collector had scarcely drained 
the scanty income of the farm before the sheriff armed with 
executions demanded the remaining cow and frequently the 
homestead. For a season the wisdom of statesmen and a 
multitude of laws brought no relief. 

211 



212 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Durinof the continuance of the war, without matured forms 
of government or systems of laws, the people had lieen 
united and held together in a common purpose. With free- 
dom came new responsibilities and grave embarrassments. 
The government was new and unfamiliar to the people, and 
at first they came in contact with the harsher and more 
exacting features of the laws. To them the new laws were 
little more than a code for the collection of debts and the 
courts were an agency for the oppression of the poor. Feel- 
ing the weight of their burdens and not apprehending their 
cause, the people became dissatisfied with their government 
and the officers chosen to administer it. The murmur of 
discontent was heard on every hand, but the unsatisfactory 
state of public affairs and the uncertainty of the future were 
only shadows in the deeper gloom of the poverty and debt in 
their homes. The people had bravely endured extreme 
hardships and now victorious in the field they were sadly 
disappointed with the early fruits of a freedom which had 
been secured by their service and sacrifice. For a season the 
destiny of the republic was evenly balanced between revolt 
inviting anarchy and liberty restrained by law. In common 
with the people at large the inhabitants of this town shared 
in the gloom and burdens of the hour, but through discour- 
agement they did not lose faith in the final success of the 
government or countenance any disorderly conduct. The 
revolt under the leadership of Shays, Day and Shattuck was 
encouraged by the active and open support of many in this 
vicinity, but there is no evidence that any citizen of this town 
was ever found within the ranks of open revolt. 

The theatre of Shays' rebellion was wholly outside of 
Ashburnham. A complete history of that ill-advised and 
irrational revolt would contain little, if any, reference to the 
people or the sentiment of this town. The compliment is 



STATE RELATIONS, POLITICS, TOWN OFFICERS. 213 

almost reciprocal, and these pages would contain no refer- 
ence to the riotous proceedings if it could be shown that the 
inhabitants of Ashburnham, surrounded by the same diffi- 
culties and suffering the same hardships, did not give any 
expression of sympathy to the movement, or utter any com- 
plaints against the heavy burdens which oppressed the 
Commonwealth. It is reasonably certain that none from 
this town joined the revolt. And while there is no proof 
that any considerable portion of the inhabitants were in 
sympathy with it, there is evidence that they seriously 
considered the state of existing affairs. Yet their voice was 
not raised until the rebellion was crushed and the govern- 
ment left at liberty to answer their complaint. On the 
fourteenth of March, 1787, a full month after, the only 
remaining remnant of the revolt was dispersed at Petersham, 
the town met in a legal meeting. 

To see if the town will take any method to become acquainted 
with the minds of our fellow citizens in this commonwealth con- 
cerning the choice of our officers to be employed in government 
the present year or pass any vote or votes that the town shall 
think proper under said article. 

To see if it is any mind of the town that there is any matter of 
grievance worthy of notice which we suffer by reason of the 
present administration of government, and if it is the minds of 
the town that there is matter of grievance to see what method the 
town will take for redress of said grievance. 

Voted to send a man to Worcester to meet other towns and 
chose M'' Jacob Willard. 

It was moved to see if it was the mind of the town that there is 
matter of grievance that the people labor under and it passed in 
the affirmative. 

The town having chosen Jacob Willard to represent them 
at the approaching session of the General Court, met again 



214 HISTORY OF ASHBURNIIAM. 

in May to give their representative instruction, whereupon 
it was ordered that he be instructed : 

1'* To have the general court moved out of Boston. 

2*^ To Endeavor that the Courts of Common Pleas be 
abolished. 

3'^ To Endeavor that the salary men be lowered. 

4* To prevent if possible a paper currency. 

5* To continue the Tender Act for another year. 

6"' To Endeavor that a free pardon be held out to all those 
persons that have taken up arms against the government. 

These instructions are simply a brief statement of the 
most prominent measures that were being advanced by 
many as a remedy for existing grievances. And while the 
Legislature was not removed from Boston, the salary of one 
officer, the governor, was reduced and a bill providing for 
a new emission of paper money was defeated. On the last 
of these instructions the town again took action at the next 
meeting. " Chose Jacob Willard, Joshua Holden and 
Captain Daniel Putnam to draft a petition requesting the 
governor and council to further reprieve or pardon Captain 
Job Shattuck and others now under sentence of death and 
that the petition be signed by the inhabitants individually." 
There were fourteen persons under sentence of death and 
among them Job Shattuck who was captured in the earl}' 
progress of the revolt at his home in Groton. 

In all of these proceedings of the town there is no exhibit 
of temper nor any apparent tiiilure of candid consideration. 
The instructions to their representative are moderate and 
from their standpoint not unreasonable, and their request 
for an amelioration of the sentence of Shattuck and others 
misrht have been attended with censure of their riotous 
conduct. At all events the persons under sentence were 



STATE RELATIONS, POLITICS, TOWN OFFICERS. 215 

pardoned by those who had less reason for the exercise of 
clemency. 

In the records for the year 1787 and ao^ain the folio wino- 
year is entered at length the formal oath of allegiance pre- 
scribed in the Constitution of the State and to it is sub- 
scribed the names of the selectmen, assessors, treasurer and 
constables of each year. The town that took this precaution 
to restrain insubordination and to secure a firmer loyalty to 
the State and the men who voluntarily subscribed their 
names to that form of an oath will never be suspected of 
being in sympathy with the revolt. If they petitioned for 
the pardon of the rebels it was more in the spirit of forgive- 
ness and charity than from any existing or former approval 
of their conduct. The vote of the town for governor for 
four years commencing 1783 was substantially unanimous 
for James Bowdoin who was the representative of the law 
and order party. During these disturbances it is evident 
that the controlling element and the voice and influence of 
the town did not fail in the maintenance of an orderly con- 
duct and of a firm loyalty to the State. While the revolt 
w^as sustained in other places our fathers assembled in the 
meeting-house Wednesday, January 17, 1787, and listened 
to a sermon by Mr. Gushing from the text, "That there be 
no breaking in nor going out, that there be no complaining 
in our streets. Happy is that people that is in such a case." 

This was a season of great excitement. The laws were 
openly violated and defied in many places. The inhabitants 
of Ashburnham, impatient of the delay of a legal meeting, 
held informal meetings the following Friday and Monday. 
A company of thirteen men marched to the assistance of 
the militia. The details of this voluntary service are 
recorded in a diary kept many years by Isaac Stearns from 
which the folio wins: extracts are transcribed. 



216 HISTOKY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Thwsdaij, January 18, 1787. I went to town to training or 
ratlier to try to get men to go to Worcester. 

Friday. I went up to town meeting. 

Monday. I went to town meeting. 

Thursday. I went to town to see about getting men to go 
against ttie insurgents. 

Friday, January 26, 1787. I set out with tliirteen men and 
lodged at Richardson's in Leominster. 

Saturday. Lodged at Patch's in Worcester. 

Sabbath night. Lodged in Spencer at one Jenks. 

Monday night. At Bugbee's in Brimfield. 

Tuesday night. At Burt's in Springfield and 

Wednesday night, also at Burt's. 

Thursday, February 1. We marched through Chicopee, a 
parish of Springfield, to South Hadley and lodged at one 
Preston's. 

Friday night. I was on guard. 

Saturday night. About ten o'clock we marched from South 
Hadley to Amherst and made a little halt. 

Sabbath, Feby 4. Marched through South Barre and lodged 
in Petersham. 

Monday. Marched to Barre and lodged at Capt. Henry's. 

Tuesday. Marched to Oakham and back to Henry's in Barre. 

Wednesday. We exercised. 

Thursday. I went about four miles after insurgents. 

Friday. I chopped wood for Capt. Henry, at night I mounted 
guard. 

Saturday. Came off guard. Afterwards did some writing. 

Sabbath, February 11. I went to Barre meeting. Mr. Dana 
preached from Psalms 97:1. In the afternoon we marched from 
Capt. Henry's to Dr. Strickland's who lived in one Nurse's house 
in Barre. 

Monday. I walked down to Esqr Caldwell's. 

Tuesday. I went on guard. 

Wednesdai^. I came from guard. At eight o'clock at night 
we marched from Barre to Hardwick in water up mid leg and in 



STATE RELATIONS, POLITICS, TOWN OFFICERS. 217 

the i-ain and came to one Haskell's in Hardwick and there remain- 
ing part of the night, tarried Thursday ; and Friday in the fore- 
noon I chopped wood for Mr. Haskell. In the afternoon we 
marched back to Barre. 

Saturday. I looked after Dr. Strickland's cattle. 

Sabbath, February 18. I went on guard ; came off Monday. 

Tuesday. I went to Esqr Caldwell's and read in Worcester 
Magazine ; afterwards drinked some cider and returned to my 
quarters. 

Wednesday. We marched to Rutland ; there we were dis- 
missed, about noon we set out and came through Princeton, a 
part of Hubbardston and through Westminster to Col. Rand's 
where the men lodged, but I came to Lieut. Munroe's in 
Ashburnham. 

Thursday. I came home. 

This wab a bloodless yet an industrious campaign. From 
a military standpoint the results, so far as we know, were 
not particularly decisive, but as an exponent of the prevail- 
ing sentiment of the town at a season of discontent our little 
army of invasion made a most cheerful campaign, and as 
volunteers m the cause of law and order their service must 
be accredited to a patriotic impulse which commands our 
willing esteem. 

In 1778 a Constitution for "the State of Massachusetts 
Bay " was submitted for the approval of the people and by 
them rejected. The necessity for a more stable and com- 
prehensive form of government remained. In 1771) the 
General Court passed a resolve calling upon the voters to 
decide whether they would instruct their representatives to 
call a State convention to prepare and submit for their 
approval a form of Constitution. A convention was ordered 
and the Constitution then prepared was ratified by the people 
in 1780. In these proceedings the following votes will 
reflect the sentiment of this town. 



218 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

May 7, 1779. Voted to have a new form of government as 
soon as may be. Also that our representative vote to have a 
State convention called for that purpose. 

William Whitcomb was the representative at the time this 
vote was passed. There is no record of the choice of a dele- 
gate to the constitutional convention. 

May 31, 1780. Voted to accept of the form of government as 
it now stands all except three articles. Accepted unanimously. 
The articles accepted against are the following : The third in the 
bill of rights, forty-seven for it as it now stands, and twelve 
against ; — Chapter 2, Section first, article seventh, accepted with 
this amendment : — That the Governor by advice of his council 
have power to march the militia to any one of the neighboring or 
adjoining States in case of invasion in the recess of the General 
Court. Chapter first, section third, article fourth : — Two persons 
against it as it now stands. 

The persons dissatisfied with the third article of the bill 
of rights were the Baptists who contended that there was 
injustice in the conditions which required them to contribute 
to the support of the standing or Congregational order unless 
they were members of some other society. 

A convention of delegates was assembled in Boston in 
January, 1788, to cast the vote of Massachusetts on the 
question of the acceptance of the Constitution of the United 
States. The town of Ashburnham was represented in that 
distinguished body by Jacob Willard. While a majority of 
the convention finally cast the vote of Massachusetts in favor 
of the adoption of the Constitution, only seven of the fifty 
delegates from Worcester county voted in the affirmative. 
The name of Mr. Willard is found with the majority from 
this county. 



STATE RELATIONS, POLITICS, TOWN OFFICERS. 219 

111 1795, the town voted unanimously that it was inex- 
pedient to revise the Constitution of the State, but in 1820, 
the town by a vote of sixtj^-three to seventeen deemed 
it expedient to call a convention for revision. In both 
instances the town voted with a majority of the whole vote 
of the State. In the convention which was assembled at this 
time the town was represented by Silas Willard. Of the 
fourteen proposed amendments the people of the State ratified 
nine. They are the numbers I to IX of amendments to the 
Constitution. The town of Ashburnham voted in the afl5rma- 
tive on all the proposed amendments except the fifth. This 
was one of the five which was 'rejected. The amendments, 
numbered X, XI, XII and XIII, were proposed by the 
Legislature and ratified by the people without the interven- 
tion of a convention. The votes of the people of this town 
were as follows : 



X, 


1831. 


Affirmative, 104 


Negative, 2 


XI. 


1833. 


115 


1 


XII. 


1836. 


49 


5 


XIII. 


1840. 


145 


38 



In 1851, a proposition to call a convention for revision 
was submitted to the people and defeated. The vote of this 
town was 183 in favor of a convention and 138 opposed. 
The third convention of delegates was assembled 1853. In 
the preliminary vote 220 desired to call the convention and 
118 were willing to continue the constitution without change. 
The measure having received a sufiicient number of votes, 
the town was called upon to make choice of a delegate. 
Simeon Merritt was elected, receiving 153 votes to 118 for 
Keuben Townsend. This convention submitted to the people 
eight propositions. None of them were ratified. The vote 
of Ashburnham was 203 in favor and 146 opposed. By a light 



220 . HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

vote the town voted with the majority in the State in ratify- 
ing the six amendments that were added in 1855 and no 
subsequent amendment has elicited a full vote or a very 
decided expression of opinion. In later years, the sentiment 
of the town has been expressed by printed ballots. But on 
the pending amendments in 1820, the vote was taken in a 
more captious manner. The warrant calling upon the inhabi- 
tants of Ashburnham to assemble announced that the vote 
Avould be taken in the following manner : "All the voters to 
be seated and when called upon to vote then all that vote to 
rise and stand up with their heads uncovered until they are 
counted and then sit down in their seats again with their 
heads covered." It was a rare display of brains both in the 
record and in the vote. 

The relations of Ashburnham to the temporary forms of 
government, existing from 1774 to 1780, have been noticed 
in the Eevolutionary History of the town. The first election 
under the Constitution in the autumn of 1780 was for a short 
term. At this election the town voted not to send a repre- 
sentative and continued of the same mind at the annual 
election the next spring. In fact, until the close of the 
century, Ashburnham was represented in only eight sessions 
of the Legislature, having voted thirteen times "not to send 
a representative this year." It should be borne in mind that 
until 1831, the State officers and the Legislature were elected 
in the spring, and that the General Court was convened the 
last Wednesday in May. To Jacob Willard was reserved 
the honor of being the first representative from this town 
under the Constitution. He was elected in 1782 and again 
in 1787, 1791 and 1792 ; William Whitcomb 1783 and Samuel 
Wilder 1788, 1796 and 1798. Every other year the town 
was not represented in the popular branch of the Legislature, 
and in 1798 IVIr. Wilder died before the Leoislature con- 
vened. 



STATE KELATIONS, POLITICS, TOWN OFFICERS. 221 

Beginning witli the present century, Jacob Willard was 
again elected in 1801, and following a familiar precedent the 
next seven years the town voted not to send a representative. 
In 1809, Joseph Jewett was first chosen and reelected in 
1812, 1813, 1814, 181(5, 1821, 1829. He was also elected 
in 1810, but immediately after the declaration of the vote 
the town from a chronic habit " voted not to send a repre- 
sentative this year." Notwithstanding the vote of the town, 
Mr. Jewett, having been elected, assumed the duties of the 
office. Elisha White represented the town 1815 ; Stephen 
Corey 1819 ; Ivers Jewett 1824 ; Abraham T. Lowe 1825 ; 
Charles Barrett 1828 ; Nathaniel Pierce 1830. 

Simultaneous with the amendment of the Constitution in 
1831, changing the time of election from the spring to 
November and continuing until the amendment of 1840, the 
town having 375 or more ratable polls was entitled to send 
two representatives. Commencing with the fall elections 
and winter sessions and continuing until the adoption of the 
district system in 1857, the town failed ten times to be 
represented. 

The earlier failures to elect a representative arose as mucli 
from a sentiment of indifference as from any other cause, 
but at this time there was a livelier interest in political affairs 
and party lines were sharply defined. The attempt was 
annually made and an election failed only when the combined 
vote of the Democrats and anti-slavery party defeated the 
Whigs in securing a majority which was then necessary to 
elect. In 1850 the Whigs Avere not only prevented from 
sending a representative but witnessed the election of a 
political opponent. During this period the following persons 
were elected for the session of the years ensuing : 

1831. Nathaniel Pierce, Hosea Stone. 

1832. Nathaniel Pierce, Hosea Stone. 

1833. Hosea Stone, Asahel Core3% 



222 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



Kilburu Harwood. 
Kilburn Harwood. 
Reuben Towusend. 
Stephen Gushing. 
No choice. 



1834. Asahel Corey, 

1835. Asahel Corey, 

1836. Asahel Corey, 

1837. Reuben Townsend, 

1838. Reuben Townsend, 

1840. George G. Parker. 

1841. George G. Parker. 
1845. John C. Glazier. 

1850. Ivers Adams. 

1851. Joel Litch. 

1854. Edward S. Flint. 

1855. Ohio Whitney, Jr. 

1856. Joseph P. Rice. 

In the district system of representation Ashburnham was 
classed with Winchendon until 1876. The representatives 
have been as follows : 



1857. Jacob B. Harris 

1858. Josiah D. Crosby 

1859. William Murdock 

1860. Albert H. Andrews 

1861. Nelson D. White 

1862. Thomas Boutelle 

1863. Giles H. Whitney 

1864. George C. Winchester 

1865. Giles H. Whitney 

1866. George E. Fisher 

1867. Windsor N. White 

1868. George H. Barrett 

1869. William L. Woodcock 

1870. Orlando Mason 

1871. Albert G. Sinclair 

1872. Austin Whitney 

1873. Charles A. Loud 

1874. Wilbur F. Whitney 

1875. Charles A. Loud 



of Winchendon. 
of Ashburnham. 
of Winchendon. 
of Ashburnham. 
of Winchendon. 
of Ashburnham. 
of Winchendon. 
of Ashburnham. 
of Winchendon. 
of Ashburnham. 
of Winchendon. 
of Ashburnham. 
of Winchendon. 
of Winchendon. 
of Winchendon. 
of Ashburnham. 
of Winchendon. 
of Ashburnham. 
of Winchendon. 



STATE RELATIONS, POLITICS, TOWN OFFICERS. 223 

Under a revision of the districts Ashburnham was classed 
with Gardner, Winchendon, Westminster and Princeton and 
privileged to send two representatives. 

1876. Simeou Merritt of Ashburnham and Wilder P. Clark of 

Winchendon. 

1877. C. Webster Bush of Gardner and Artemas Merriam of 

Westminster. 

1878. Wilder P. Clark of Winchendon and William H. Brown 

of Princeton. 

1879. Edwin J. Cashing of Gardner and George W. Eddy of 

Ashburnham. 

1880. Giles H. Whitney of Winchendon and J. Henry Miller of 

Westminster. 

1881. John D. Edgell of Gardner and John B. Fay of Princeton. 

1882. Walter 0. Parker of Ashburnham and Wilder P. Clark of 

Winchendon. 

1883. Roderick R. Bent of Gardner and Edwin L. Burnham of 

Westminster. 

1884. Roderick R. Bent of Gardner and Charles J. Rice of 

Winchendon. 

1885. Charles J. Rice of Winchendon and Herbert S. Stratton 

of Gardner. 

The vote for o-overnor at one hundred and five elections 
presents many suggestions concerning the growth and senti- 
ment of the town. The vote for presidential electors being 
substantially a repetition of the vote for governor the same 
year affords no additional information. If, for a few years 
early in the present century, the town evinced an unsteadi- 
ness of purpose, the political sentiment of Ashburnham has 
been mainly in sympathy with the Federal, Whig and Re- 
publican parties. 



224 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



Year 


Name of 


o g 


Name of 


o| 


Name of 


O to 


Name of 


° ^ 


Candidate 


6 "5 


Candidate 




Candidate 


15 > 


Candidate 


6 o 


1780 


Hancock 


25 


Bowdoin 


10 










1781 


Hancock 


22 


Bowdoin 


2 










1782 


No record 
of a vote. 
















1783 


Bowdoin 


14 


Lincoln 


2 


Hancock 









1784 


Bowdoin 


22 


Hancock 


1 










1785 


Bowdoin 


24 














1786 


Bowdoin 


31 














1787 


Hancock 


84 


Lincoln 


4 










1788 


Hancock 


29 


Gerry 


32 










1789 


Hancock 


48 


Lincoln 


7 


Bowdoin 


1 






1790 


Hancock 


37 














1791 


Hancock 


45 














1792 


Hancock 


25 


Phillips 


9 










1793 


Hancock 


46 














1794 


Adams 


57 


Sumner 


10 










1795 


Adams 


46 


Gushing 




Scattering 


1 






1796 


Sumner 


38 


Adams 


18 










1797 


Sumner 


47 


Sullivan 


31 










1798 


Sumner 


48 














1799 


Sullivan 


49 














1800 


Gerry 


86 


Strong 


25 










1801 


Strong 


33 


Gerry 


60 










1802 


Strong 


63 


Gerry 


44 


Scattering 


1 






1803 


Strong 


64 


Gerry 


32 










1804 


Strong 


61 


Sulliviin 


31 










1805 


Strong 


68 


Sullivan 


59 


Scattering 


1 






1806 


Strong 


75 


Sullivan 


75 










1807 


Strong 


84 


Sullivan 


59 


Scattering 


1 






1808 


Gore 


86 


Sullivan 


51 


Scattering 


4 






1809 


Gore 


92 


Lincoln 


47 










1810 


Gore 


98 


Gerry 


50 


Scattering 


1 






1811 


Gore 


89 


Gerry 


54 










1812 


Strong 


122 


Gerry 


50 


Scattering 


1 






1813 


Strong 


117 


Varnum 


49 










1814 


Strong 


117 


Dexter 


47 










1815 


Strong 


119 


Dexter 


54 










1816 


Brooks 


131 


Dexter 


56 










1817 


Brooks 


122 


Dearborn 


42 


Scattering 


1 






1818 


Brooks 


107 


Crownin- 
shield 


29 










1819 


Brooks 


111 


Crownin- 
shield 


33 


Scattering 


1 






1820 


Brooks 


119 


Eustis 


48 










1821 


Brooks 


110 


Eustis 


37 










1822 


Brooks 


104 


Eustis 


42 










1823 


Otis 


116 


Eustis 


75 










1824 


Lathrop 


119 


Eustis 


95 










1825 


Lincoln 


139 






Scattering 


6 






1826 


Lincoln 


113 


Lloyd 


7 


Scattering 


4 






1827 


Lincoln 


133 






Scattering 


1 






1828 


Lincoln 


116 


Morton 


10 










1829 


Lincoln 


90 


Morton 


41 










1830 


Lincoln 


77 


Morton 


65 


Scattering 


4 







STATE RELATIONS, POLITICS, TOWN OFFICERS. 



225 



Viiof 


Name of 


° 1 


Name of 


o 1 


Name of 


S g 


Name of 


o S 


X ear 


Candidate 


^ > 


Candidate 




Candidate 


° 1 


Candidate 


d o 


1831 


Lincoln 


101 


Morton 


53 


Scattering 


1 






1831 


Lincoln 


103 


Morton 


52 


Scattering 


3 






1832 


Lincoln 


152 


Morton 


74 










1833 


Davis 


87 


Morton 


G(> 


Scattering 


16 






1834 


Lincoln 


127 


Fisher 


59 










1835 


Everett 


98 


Morton 


75 










1836 


Everett 


139 


Morton 


95 










1837 


Everett 


141 


Morton 


74 










1838 


Everett 


157 


Morton 


106 


Scattering 


15 






1839 


Everett 


162 


Morton 


152 










1840 


Davis 


204 


Morton 


139 


Scattering 


12 






1841 


Davis 


160 


Morton 


111 


Boltwood 


28 






1842 


Davis 


i60 


Morton 


133 


Sewall 


31 






1843 


Brings 


159 


Morton 


138 


Sewall 


41 






1844 


Briggs 


164 


Bancroft 


126 


Sewall 


46 






1845 


Briggs 


130 


Davis 


83 


Sewall 


37 






1846 


Briggs 


127 


Davis 


86 


Sewall 


35 






1847 


Briggs 


123 


Gushing 


77 


Sewall 


37 






1848 


Briggs 


102 


Gushing 


69 


Phillips 


88 






1849 


Briggs 


124 


Boutwell 


79 


Phillips 


58 






1850 


Briggs 


95 


Boutwell 


90 


Phillips 


91 






1851 


Wiritiirop 


128 


Boutwell 


111 


Palfrey 


97 






1852 


Clifforfl 


122 


Bishop 


120 


Mann 


112 






1853 


Washburn 


136 


Bishop 


106 


Wilson 


101 






1854 


Gardner 


134 


Bishop 


38 


Wilson 


59 


Washburn 


63 


1855 


Rockwell 


164 


Beach 


96 


Gardner 


108 


Walley 


18 


1856 


Gardner 


251 


Beach 


85 


Scattering 


10 






1857 


Banks 


176 


Gardner 


91 


Beach 


73 


Scattering 


5 


1858 


Banks 


182 


Lawrence 


56 


Beach 


64 






1859 


Banks 


125 


Butler 


98 










1860 


Andrew 


282 


Beach 


99 










1861 


Andrew 


184 


Davis 


59 










1862 


Andrew 


210 


Devens 


109 










1863 


Andrew 


160 


Paine 


39 










1864 


Andrew 


278 


Paine 


83 










1865 


Bullock 


185 


Couch 


32 










1866 


Bullock 


234 


Sjveetser 


40 










1867 


Bullock 


253 


Adams 


130 










1868 


Claflin 


295 


Adams 


89 










1869 


Claflin 


169 


Adams 


81 










1870 


Clafiin 


233 


Adams 


111 










1871 


Washburn 


144 


Pitman 


39 










1872 


Washburn 


268 


Bird 


71 










1873 


Washburn 


105 


Gaston 


97 










1874 


Talbot 


215 


Gaston 


154 










1875 


Rice 


157 


Gaston 


136 










1876 


Rice 


186 


Adams 


107 


Baker 


61 






1877 


Rice 


108 


Gaston 


77 










1878 


Talbot 


185 


Butler 


96 










1879 


Long 


181 


Butler 


80 










1880 


Long 


227 


Thompson 


65 










1881 


Long 


113 


Thompson 


24 










1882 


Bishop 


178 


Butler 


97 










1883 


Robinson 


210 


Butler 


133 










1884 


Robinson 


219 


Endicott 


96 










1885 


Robinson 


149 


Prince 


67 


Lothrop 


15 







15 



226 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

The county of Worcester was incorporated when the 
territory of Ashburnham was an unnamed wilderness. The 
relations of this town to the county was an inheritance in 
which the inhabitants had no voice, but they did not long- 
remain silent after they became members of the corporation. 
Situated on the borders of the county and remote from the 
shire town, the voters of Ashburnham have debated many 
projects concerning a change of county lines or the creation 
of a new county. Some of these have been entertained with 
considerable favor. The discussion began one hundred years 
ao"o and has been renewed at frequent intervals. The old 
county remains unchanged and so do the advocates of a new 
one. One movement began in 1784 and extended through 
several years. To the first convention this town voted not 
to send a delegate, but in a convention held in Lunenburg 
in 1785, the town was represented by Samuel Wilder. At 
this time it was finally proposed to create a new county 
comprising towns in Worcester and Middlesex counties. 
To this proposal Ashburnham finally dissented and withdrew 
from the movement. 

In 1786, the town voted not to join with the petitioners 
of Petersham for a new county but were found ready to 
encourage the movement for a division of Worcester county 
which occurred soon after. To a convention held in Leom- 
inster in 1794 the town sent Samuel Wilder. The con- 
vention recommended the creation of a new county and this 
town chose Abraham Lowe, Samuel Wilder and Jacob 
Willard to petition the General Court. As a result of the 
solicitation of this and other towns the General Court in 1798 
submitted the question to the voters of the county. The 
vote of this town was sixty-four in favor of a division of the 
county and five opposed. Immediately after the vote was 
taken in the county a convention was held in Templeton in 



STATE RELATIONS, POLITICS, TOWN OFFICERS. 227 

which the town was represented by Joseph Jewett, but the 
measure in the mean time was defeated and the town took no 
action on the report of the delegate to the convention. Con- 
cerning the subsequent efibrts that have been made to divide 
the county of Worcester the sentiment of the town of Ash- 
burnham was divided but the county remains with its 
generous domain and extensive boundaries. 

Magistrates. — In colonial times the Justices of the Peace 
were commissioned in the name of the king and the office 
was regarded as one of marked distinction. Upon the 
adoption of the State Constitution the appointment was 
vested in the governor, yet the duties and prerogatives of 
the office were not materially changed and a peculiar dignity 
continued to attend the office. In later years, appointments 
have been bestowed with greater freedom and the number of 
persons qualified for the position, both by education and a 
knowledge of legal forms and proceedings, is so numerous 
that the magistrates of the present time, surrounded by men 
of equal influence and eminence, do not enjoy the distinction 
that once attended the position. The only person appointed 
to this office in this town by royal favor, was Samuel Wilder. 
For many years he was the only magistrate in Ashburnham. 
Joshua Smith, who came to this town in 1785, was styled 
Esquire Smith and before he removed hither he had been a 
Justice of the Peace in Southborough, but no record of his 
appointment after his removal to this town has been found. 
In the following list of the Justices of the Peace the first 
column gives the date of the first appointment. At the close 
of seven years the commissions generally have been rencAved. 

1772. Samuel Wikler died May 9, 1798 

1796. Jacob Willard died February 22, 1808 

1798. Abraham Lowe died October 23, 1834 

1811. George R. Gushing died February 2, 1851 



228 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



1813. 
1814. 
1820. 
1821. 
1825. 
1826. 
1827. 
1830. 
1837. 
1839. 
1839. 
1844. 
1847. 
1850. 
18r)3. 
1853. 
1855. 
1857. 
1857. 
1857. 
1857. 
1858. 
1858. 
1859. 
1862. 
1864. 
1867. 
1869. 
1871. 
1873. 
1873. 
1873. 
1877. 
1878. 
1880. 



Joseph Jewett 
Elisha White 
Stephen Corey 
Ivers Jewett 
Silas Willard 
Henry Adams 
Hosea Stone 
Nathaniel Pierce 
George G. Parker 
Kilburn Harwood 
Reuben Townsend 
Enoch Whitmore 
Charles Stearns 
John Petts — Trial Justice 
Jerome W. Foster 
George Rock wood 
John L. Cummings 
Charles W. Burrage 
William P. ElUs 
Albert H. Andrews 
Daniels Ellis, Jr. 
Ohio Whitney, Jr. 
Ivers Adams 
William F. Burrage 
Alfred Miller 
Wilbur F. Whitney 
Alfred Whitmore 
Marshall Wetherbee 
George W. Eddy 
Austin Whitney 
Melvin O. Adams 



died May 3, 1846 

died June 14, 1817 

died October 7, 1823 

removed from town 1827 

commission expired October 1, 1852 

removed from town 1830 

commission expired February 1, 1841 

" " June 12, 1851 

died December 14, 1852 

removed from town 1845 

commission expired Feb. 3, 1860 

died September 13, 1860 

died July 11, 1874 

commission expired 1857 

died March 23, 1871 

died December 20, 1864 



removed from town 1859 

entered army 1861 

died February 6, 1879 

commission expired May 16, 1872 

removed from town 1867 

removed from town 1863 

died January 4, 1873 



commission expired January 7, 1880 
removed from town 1876 
John H. Wilkins, Notary Public 

S. Joseph Bradlee removed from town 1884 

Samuel G. Newton died July 23, 1884 

George C. Foster 



STATE RELATIONS, POLITICS, TOWN OFFICERS. 229 

A list of Moderators of the Annual March meeting, Town Clerics, 
Selectmen and Assessoi's, from the incorjjoration of the town 
to the irresent time. 

1765. Moderator, Samuel Fellows. Clerk, William Whitcomb. 
Selectmen, Samuel Fellows, Tristram Cheney, John Rich, 

James Coleman, Jonathan Gates. 
Assessors, Samuel Wilder, William Joyuer, John Bates. 

1766. Moderator, Samuel Fellows. Clerk, William Whitcomb. 
Selectmen, William Whitcomb, Tristram Cheney, John 

Rich, Elisha Coolidge, John Jones. 
Assessors, the Selectmen. 

1767. Moderator, Tristram Cheney. Clerk, William Joyner. 
Selectmen, Tristram Cheney, Jona. Gates, John Kiblinger* 

John Jones, Samuel Wilder. 
Assessors, William Whitcomb, Samuel Wilder, Tristram 
Cheney. 

1768. Moderator, Samuel Fellows. Clerk, William Joyner. 
Selectmen, Tristram Cheney, William Whitcomb, Samuel 

Fellows. 
Assessors, the Selectmen. 

1769. Moderator, Samuel Fellows. Clerk, Samuel Wilder. 
Selectmen, John Kiblinger, Nathan Melvin, Samuel Fel- 
lows. 

Assessors, Samuel Wilder, William Joyner, William 
Whitcomb. 

1770. Moderator, Samuel Fellows. Clerk, Samuel Wilder. 
Selectmen, Samuel Fellows, John Kiblinger, Ephraim 

Stone. 
Assessors, Samuel Wilder, William Whitcomb, Nathan 
Melvin. 

1771. Moderator, Samuel Fellows. Clerk, Samuel Wilder. 
Selectmen, Ephraim Stone, Samuel Wilder, John Kib- 
linger. 

Assessors, Samuel Wilder, AVilliam Whitcomb, Nathan 
Melvin. 



230 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

1772. Moderator, William Whitcomb. Clerk, Samuel Wilder. 
Selectmen, Samuel Wilder, Epliraim Stone, John Kib- 

linger. 
Assessors, Samuel Wilder, William Whitcomb, John 
Willard. 

1773. Moderator, William Whitcomb. Clerk, Samuel Wilder. 
Selectmen, Samuel Wilder, Ephraim Stone, John Kib- 

linger. 
Assessors, Samuel Wilder, William Whitcomb, Jonathan 
Taylor. 

1774. Moderator, William Whitcomb. Clerk, Samuel Wilder. 
Selectmen, Samuel Wilder, John Willard, Jonathan Taylor. 
Assessors, the Selectmen. 

1775. Moderator, Deliverance Davis. Clerk, Jacob Willard. 
Selectmen, John Kiblinger, Samuel Nichols, Jonathan 

Gates, Oliver Stone, Amos Kendell. 
Assessors, John Adams, John Conn, Ebenezer Hemen- 
way. 

1776. Moderator, WilUam Whitcomb. Clerk, Samuel Wilder. 
Selectmen, William Whitcomb, John Kiblinger, OHver 

Willard. 
Assessors, Samuel Wilder, Jacob Willard, John Adams. 

1777. Moderator, William Whitcomb. Clerk, Samuel Wilder. 
Selectmen, Samuel Wilder, John Willard, Jonathan Sam- 
son, Jonathan Taylor, Abijali Josliu. 

Assessors, Samuel Wilder, William Wilder, Euos Jones, 
Joseph Metcalf, Francis Lane. 

1778. Moderator, William Whitcomb. Clerk, Samuel Wilder. 
Selectmen, John Conn, Oliver Willard, William Benjamin. 
Assessors, Samuel Wilder, William Whitcomb, John 

Adams. 

1779. Moderator, William Whitcomb. Clerk, Samuel Wilder. 
Selectmen, John Conn, Oliver Willard, Amos Dickerson. 
Assessors, Samuel Wilder, William Whitcomb, Jacob 

Harris. 

1780. Moderator, Joseph Whitmore. Clerk, Samuel Wilder. 
Selectmen, Samuel Wilder, Isaac Merriam, Francis Lane. 



STATE RELATIONS, POLITICS, TOWN OFFICERS. 231 

Assessors, Samuel Wilder, Jacob Harris, William Pollard. 

1781. Moderator, George Daua. Clerk, Samuel Wilder. 
Selectmen, Jacob Harris, Hezekiah Corey, Enos Jones. 
Assessors, David Stedman, Jacob Harris, William Pollard. 

1782. Moderator, Jacob Willard. Clerk, Samuel Wilder. 
Selectmen, Samuel Wilder, Hezekiah Corey, Ebenezer 

Conaut. 
Assessors, Jacob Harris, Samuel Wilder, David Stedman. 

1783. Moderator, Jacob Willard. Clerk, Samuel Wilder. 
Selectmen, Samuel Wilder, Hezekiah Corey, Jacob Wil- 
lard. 

Assessors, Samuel Wilder, Jacob Harris, William Pollard. 

1784. Moderator, Jacob Willard. Clerk, Samuel Wilder. 
Selectmen, Samuel Wilder, Hezekiah Corey, Francis 

Lane. 
Assessors, Samuel Wilder, Francis Lane, Jacob Harris. 

1785. Moderator, Jacob Willard. Clerk, Samuel Wilder. 
Selectmen, Samuel Wilder, Samuel Foster, John Conn. 
Assessors, Jacob Harris, William Pollard, Jacob Willard. 

1786. Moderator, Jacob Willard. Clerk, Samuel Wilder. 
Selectmen, Joshua Smith, Samuel Wilder, Samuel Foster. 
Assessors, Jacob Harris, William Pollard, Oliver Hough- 
ton. 

1787. Moderator, Jacob Willard. Clerk, Samuel Wilder. 
Selectmen, John Adams, Amos Dickerson, Jacob Kiblinger. 
Assessors, Jacob Willard, Jacob Harris, John Adams. 

1788. Moderator, Joshua Smith. Clerk, Samuel Wilder. 
Selectmen, John Adams, Jacob Kiblinger, Samuel Foster. 
Assessors, John Adams, John Abbott, Oliver Houghton. 

1789. Moderator, Jacob Willard. Clerk, Samuel Wilder. 
Selectmen, John Adams, Jacob Kiblinger, Samuel Foster. 
Assessors, John Adams, Jacob Harris, Jacob Willard. 

1790. Moderator, Jacob Willard. Clerk, Samuel Wilder. 
Selectmen, Samuel Foster, Samuel Wilder, Jacob Willard. 
Assessors, the Selectmen. 



232 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

1791. Moderator, Jacob Willard. Clerk, Samuel Wilder. 
Selectmen, Jacob Willard, John Gates, Jacob Kibliuger. 
Assessors, Jacob Willard, Jacob Harris, Jacob Kiblinger. 

1792. Moderator, Jacob Willard. Clerk, Abraham Lowe. 
Selectmen, Samuel Foster, Francis Lane, Enos Jones. 
Assessors, Jacob Harris, Samuel Wilder, William Pollard. 

1793. Moderator, Samuel Wilder. Clerk, Abraham Lowe. 
Selectmen, Samuel Wilder, Joseph Jewett, Jacob Kib- 
linger. 

Assessors, the Selectmen. 

1794. Moderator, Samuel Wilder. Clerk, Abraham Lowe. 
Selectmen, Francis Lane, Enos Jones, Ebenezer Munroe. 
Assessors, Samuel Wilder, Jacob Harris, Jacob Willard. 

1795. Moderator, Jacob Willard. Clerk, Abraham Lowe. 
Selectmen, Jacob Kiblinger, Joseph Jewett, John Conn. 
Assessors, Matthias Mossman, Joseph Jewett, Caleb 

Ward. 

1796. Moderator, Jacob Harris. Clerk, Abraham Lowe. 
Selectmen, Jacob Willard, Samuel Wilder, Caleb Ward. 
Assessors, Matthias Mossman, Jacob Harris, John Adams. 

1797. Moderator, Jacob Willard. Clerk, Abraham Lowe. 
Selectmen, Jacob Kiblinger, John Gates, William Stearns. 
Assessors, Matthias Mossman, Abraham Lowe, Elisha 

White. 

1798. Moderator, Jacob Willard. Clerk, Abraham Lowe. 
Selectmen, John Gates, William Stearns, Abraham Lowe. 
Assessors, Samuel Wilder, Joseph Jewett, Jacob Harris. 

1799. Moderator, Joseph Jewett. Clerk, Elisha White. 
Selectmen, Elisha AVhite, David Cushing, Jacob Kiblinger. 
Assessors, David Cushing, Joseph Jewett, Jacob Kib- 
linger. 

1800. Moderator, Joseph Jewett. Clerk, Joseph Jewett. 
Selectmen, Joseph Jewett, Jacob Kiblinger, John Adams, 

Hezekiah Corey, Caleb Ward. 
Assessors, Joseph Jewett, John Adams, Jacob Kiblinger. 



STATE RELATIONS, POLITICS, TOWN OFFICERS. 233 

1801. Moderator, Jacob Willard. Clerk, Joseph Jewett. 
Selectmen, Jacob Willard, Ebenezer Munroe, Jacob Con- 

stautiue. 
Assessors, Jacob Willard, Jacob Coustantiue, Elisba 
AVhite. 

1802. Moderator, Ebenezer Munroe. Clerk, Joseph Jewett. 
Selectmen, Ebenezer Munroe, John Gates, David Cushing. 
Assessors, Joseph Jewett, David Cushing, Samuel Cotting. 

1803. Moderator, Ebenezer Munroe. Clerk, Joseph Jewett. 
Selectmen, David Cushing, John Gates, Caleb Ward. 
Assessors, Joseph Jewett, David Cushing, John Adams. 

1804. Moderator, Ebenezer Munroe. Clerk, Joseph Jewett. 
Selectmen, Ebenezer Munroe, Amos Pierce, Hezekiah 

Corey, Jr. 
Assessors, Elisha White, Hezekiah Corey, Jr., Silas 
Willard. 

1805. Moderator, Jacob Willard. Clerk, Joseph Jewett. 
Selectmen, Amos Pierce, Hezekiah Core}', Jr., Thomas 

Hobart. 
Assessors, Elisha White, David Cushing, Samuel Gates. 

1806. Moderator, Jacob Willard. Clerk, Joseph Jewett. 
Selectmen, Thomas Hobart, Joseph Jewett, Lemuel 

Stimson. 
Assessors, Elisha White, Silas Willard, Samuel Gates. 

1807. Moderator, Jacob Willard. Clerk, Joseph Jewett. 
Selectmen, Thomas Hobart, Joseph Jewett, Lemuel 

Stimson. 
Assessors, Elisha White, Silas Willard, John Adams, Jr. 

1808. Moderator, Caleb Wilder. Clerk, Joseph Jewett. 
Selectmen, Joseph Jewett, Thomas Hobart, Lemuel 

Stimson. 
Assessors, Elisha White, Silas Willard, John Adams, Jr. 

1809. Moderator, Elisha White. Clerk, Joseph Jewett. 
Selectmen, Joseph Jewett, Thomas Hobart, Lemuel 

Stimson. 
Assessors, Elisha White, Silas Willard, John Adams, Jr. 



234 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

1810. Moderator, Caleb Wilder. Clerk, Joseph Jewett. 
Selectmen, Elisha White, Silas Willard, Samuel Gates. 
Assessors, the Selectmen. 

1811. Moderator, Elisha White. ' Clerk, Joseph Jewett. 
Selectmen, Elisha White, Silas Willard, Stephen Corey. 
Assessors, Joseph Jewett, Silas Willard, Ebenezer 

Munroe. 

1812. Moderator, Caleb Wilder. Clerk, Joseph Jewett. 
Selectmen, Joseph Jewett, Silas Willard, Stephen Corey. 
Assessors, the Selectmen. 

1813. Moderator, Caleb Wilder. Clerk, Joseph Jewett. 
Selectmen, Silas Willard, John Willard, Asa Woods. 
Assessors, the Selectmen. 

1814. Moderator, Caleb Wilder. Clerk, Joseph Jewett. 
Selectmen, Elisha White, John Willard, William J. 

Lawrence. 
Assessors, the Selectmen. 

1815. Moderator, George R. Cushing. Clerk, Joseph Jewett. 
Selectmen, Joseph Jewett, John Willard, John Adams, Jr. 
Assessors, Elisha White, Silas Willard, Stephen Corey. 

1816. Moderator, Caleb Wilder. Clerk, Ivers Jewett. 
Selectmen, Joseph Jewett, John Willard, John Adams, Jr. 
Assessors, Elisha White, Stephen Corey, Jacob Harris, Jr. 

1817. Moderator, Caleb Wilder. Clerk, Ivers Jewett. 
Selectmen, John Willard, John Adams, Jr., Stephen 

Corey. 
Assessors, Elisha White, Stephen Corej', Jacob Harris, Jr. 

1818. Moderator, George R. Cushing. Clerk, Ivers Jewett. 
Selectmen, Joseph Jewett, Stephen Corey, John Adams, Jr. 
Assessors, the Selectmen. 

1819. Moderator, Joseph Jewett. Clerk, Ivers Jewett. 
Selectmen, Stephen Corey, John Adams, Jr., Thomas 

Hobart. 
Assessors, Stephen Corey, Silas Willard, Joel Foster. 

1820. Moderator, George R. Cushing. Clerk, Ivers Jewett. 
Selectmen, Joseph Jewett, Thomas Hobart, John 

Adams, Jr. 



STATE RELATIONS, POLITICS, TOWN OFFICERS. 235 

Assessors, Joseph Jewett, John Adams, Jr., Silas "Willard. 

1821. Moderator, Joseph Jewett. Clerk, Ivers Jewett. 
Selectmen, Joseph Jewett, Thomas Hobart, John 

Adams, Jr. 
Assessors, Joseph Jewett, Silas Willard, Hezekiah Corey. 

1822. Moderator, Joseph Jewett. Clerk, Ivers Jewett. 
Selectmen, John Adams, Jr., Hosea Stone, Timothy 

Stearns. 
Assessors, the Selectmen. 

1823. Moderator, George R. Cushfng. Clerk, Ivers Jewett. 
Selectmen, Joseph Jewett, Silas Willard, Reuben Town- 
send, Jr. 

Assessors, the Selectmen. 

1824. Moderator, Joseph Jewett. Clerk, Joseph Jewett. 
Selectmen, Silas Willard, Hezekiah Corey, John 

Adams, Jr. 
Assessors, Silas Willard, John Adams, Jr., Enoch 
Whitmore. 

1825. Moderator, George R. Cashing. Clerk, Hosea Stone. 
Selectmen, Charles Barrett, Elias Lane, Oliver Marble. 
Assessors, Joseph Jewett, Hosea Stone, Benjamin Barrett. 

1826. Moderator, George R. dishing. Clerk, Hosea Stone. 
Selectmen, Charles Barrett, Elias Lane, Samuel Dunster. 
Assessors, Hosea Stone, Enoch Whitmore, John Wil- 
lard, Jr. 

1827. Moderator, Joseph Jewett. Clerk, Hosea Stone. 
Selectmen, Charles Barrett, Reuben Townsend, Jr., Enoch 

Whitmore. 
Assessors, the Selectmen. 

1828. Moderator, Joseph Jewett. Clerk, Hosea Stone. 
Selectmen, Charles Barrett, Reuben Townsend, Jr., 

Asahel Corey. 
Assessors, the Selectmen. 

1829. Moderator, Joseph Jewett. Clerk, Hosea Stone. 
Selectmen, Asahel Corey, Thomas Bennett, Joseph Jewett. 



236 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Assessors, the Selectmen. 

1830. Moderator, George R. Gushing. Glerk, Hosea Stone. 
Selectmen, Asahel Corey, Amos Pierce, Jr., Gharles 

Stearns. 
Assessors, the vSelectmen. 

1831. Moderator, P^benezer Frost. Glerk, Hosea Stone. 
Selectmen, Asahel Gorey, Amos Pierce, Jr., Gharles 

Stearns. 
Assessors, the Selectmen. 

1832. Moderator, Ebenezer Frost. Glerk, Hosea Stone. 
Selectmen, Asahel Corey, Amos Pierce, Jr., Gharles 

Stearns, 
Assessors, the Selectmen. 

1833. Moderator, Ebenezer Frost. Clerk, Gharles Stearns. 
Selectmen, Amos Pierce, Jr., Jehiel Watkins, Kilburn 

Harwood. 
Assessors, Asahel Corey, Amos Pierce, Jr., Gharles 
Stearns. 

1834. Moderator, Ebenezer Frost. Glerk, Gharles Stearns. 
Selectmen, Kilburn Harwood, Reuben Townsend, Jr., 

Charles Davis. 
Assessors, the Selectmen. 

1835. Moderator, George R. Gushing. Glerk, Charles Stearns. 
Selectmen, Asahel Gorey, Gharles Davis, Ebenezer Frost. 
Assessors, the Selectmen. 

1836. Moderator, Kilburn Harwood. Glerk, Charles Stearns. 
Selectmen, Asahel Gorey, Ebenezer Frost, Jehiel Watkins. 
Assessors, the Selectmen. 

1837. Moderator, Kilburn Harwood. Clerk, Gharles Stearns. 
Selectmen, Asahel Gorey, Kilburn Harwood, Charles 

Barrett. 
Assessors, the Selectmen. 

1838. Moderator, Kilburn Harwood. Clerk, Charles Stearns. 
Selectmen, Kilburn Harwood, Reuben Townsend, John C. 

Glazier. 
Assessors, Nathaniel Pierce, Ebenezer Frost, Stephen 
Gorey. 



STATE RELATIONS, POLITICS, TOWN OFFICERS. 237 

1839. Moderator, Kilburu Harwood. Clerk, Charles Stearns. 
Selectmen, John C. Glazier, Ebenezer Frost, Ohio Whit- 
ney. 

Assessors, the Selectmen. 

1840. Moderator, Reuben Townsend. Clerk, Charles Stearns. 
Selectmen, George G. Parker, Reuben Townsend, Elias 

Lane. 
Assessors, the Selectmen. 

1841. Moderator, Reuben Townsend. Clerk, Charles Stearns. 
Selectmen, George G. Parker, Reuben Townsend, Elias 

Lane. 
Assessors, the Selectmen. 

1842. Moderator, Kilburn Harwood. Clerk, Charles Stearns. 
Selectmen, George G. Parker, Elias Lane, Harvey Brooks. 
Assessors, the Selectmen. 

1843. Moderator, Ebenezer Frost. Clerk, Charles Stearns. 
Selectmen, Harvey Brooks, John C. Davis, Charles Bar- 
rett. 

Assessors, Hosea Green, Walter Russell, Jerome W. 
Foster. 

1844. Moderator, Ebenezer Frost. Clerk, Charles Stearns. 
Selectmen, Charles Barrett, Kilburn Harwood, Ohio Whit- 
ney. 

Assessors, the Selectmen. 

1845. Moderator, Ebenezer Frost. Clerk, Charles Stearns. 
Selectmen, George G. Parker, Ohio Whitney, Emery Fair- 
banks. 

Assessors, the Selectmen. 

1846. Moderator, Oilman Jones. Clerk, Charles Stearns. 
Selectmen, Emery Fairbanks, Ohio Whitney, George G. 

Parker. 
Assessors, the Selectmen. 

1847. Moderator, Ebenezer Frost. Clerk, Charles Stearns. 
Selectmen, George G. Parker, Ohio Whitney, Jex'ome W. 

Foster. 
Assessors, the Selectmen. 



238 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

1848. Moderator, Ohio Whitney, Jr. Clerk, Charles Stearns. 
Selectmen, Jerome W. Foster, Charles Stearns, Autipas 

Maynard. 
Assessors, the Selectmen. 

1849. Moderator, Ohio Whitney, Jr. Clerk, Charles Stearns. 
Selectmen, Jerome W. Foster, Antipas Maynard, John A. 

Conn. 
Assessors, the Selectmen. 

1850. Moderator, Enoch Whitmore. Clerk, Charles Stearns. 
Selectmen, George G. Parker, John A. Conn, Ivers Adams. 
Assessors, Ohio Whitney, Enoch Whitmore, Pyam Burr. 

1851. Moderator, Ohio Whitney, Jr. Clerk, Charles Stearns. 
Selectmen, George G. Parker, Ivers Adams, Jerome W. 

Foster. 
Assessors, the Selectmen. 

1852. Moderator, Ohio Whitney, Jr. Clerk, Charles Stearns. 
Selectmen, Antipas Maynard, Joseph P. Rice, Walter 

Russell. 
Assessors, the Selectmen. 

1853. Moderator, Enoch Whitmore. Clerk, Charles Stearns. 
Selectmen, Antipas Maynard, Joseph P. Rice, Jerome 

W. Foster. 
Assessors, the Selectmen. 

1854. Moderator, Enoch Whitnaore. Clerk, Charles Stearns. 
Selectmen, Jerome W. Foster, John A. Conn, Ohio Whit- 
ney, Jr. 

Assessors, the Selectmen. 

1855. Moderator, Ohio Whitney, Jr. Clerk, Charles Stearns. 
Selectmen, Jerome W. Foster, Ohio Whitney, Jr., Henry 

Lawrence. 
Assessors, the Selectmen. 

1856. Moderator, Joel H. Litch. Clerk, Charles Stearns. 
Selectmen, John A. Conn, Elliot Moore, Ohio Whitney, 

Jr. 
Assessors, the Selectmen. 



STATE RELATIONS, POLITICS, TOWN OFFICERS. 239 

1857. Moderator, Enoch Whitmore. Clerk, William P. Ellis. 
Selectmen, Elliot Moore, George S. Barrage, George 

Rockwood. 
Assessors, John A. Conn, Daniels Ellis, Jr., Ezra Randall. 

1858. Moderator, Ohio Whitney, Jr. Clerk, William P. Ellis. 
Selectmen, George S. Burrage, Joel H. Litch, Addison A. 

Walker. 
Assessors, John A. Conn, Joel H. Litch, Perley Howe. 

1859. Moderator, Ohio Whitney, Jr. Clerk, William P. Ellis. 
Selectmen, Addison A. Walker, Elliot Moore, Leonard 

Foster. 
Assessors, John A. Conn, Perley Howe, John G. Wood- 
ward. 

1860. Moderator, Ohio Whitney, Jr. Clerk, Jerome W. Foster. 
Selectmen, Addison A. Walker, Leonard Foster, Simeon 

Merritt. 
Assessors, Perley Howe, Jerome W. Foster, John G. 
Woodward. 

1861. Moderator, Ohio Whitney, Jr. Clerk, Jerome W. Foster. 
Selectmen, Simeon Merritt, Jesse Parker, Isaac D. Ward. 
Assessors, Jerome W. Foster, Perley Howe, Charles 

Winchester. 

1862. Moderator, Ohio Whitney, Jr. Clerk, Jerome W. Foster, 
Selectmen, Jesse Parker, Isaac D. Ward, William P. 

Ellis. 
Assessors, the Selectmen. 

1863. Moderator, Ohio Whitney, Jr. Clerk, Jerome W. Foster. 
Selectmen, Isaac D. Ward, Perley Howe, Elbridge Stim- 

son. 
Assessors, the Selectmen. 

1864. Moderator, Ohio Whitney, Jr. Clerk, Jerome W. Foster. 
Selectmen, Ohio Whitney, Jr., Marshall Wetherbee, 

Nathaniel L. Eaton. 
Assessors, William P. Ellis, Joel H. Litch, Perley Howe. 

1865. Moderator, Joel H. Litch. Clerk, Jerome W. Foster. 



240 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Selectmen, Charles F. Rockwood, William F. Burrage, 

John G. Woodward. 
Assessors, Perley Howe, Joel H. Litch, Joel F. Metcalf. 

1866. Moderator, Ohio Whitney, Jr. Clerk, Jerome W. Foster. 
Selectmen, Charles F. Rockwood, William F. Burrage, 

John G-. Woodward. 
Assessors Joel H. Litch, Joel F. Metcalf, Marshall 
Wetherbee. 

1867. Moderator, Harvey D. Jillson. Clerk, Jerome W. Foster. 
Selectmen, Charles F. Rockwood, Elbridge Stimson, 

Francis A. Whitney. 
Assessors, Joel H. Litch, William P. Ellis, Europe H. 
Fairbanks. 

1868. Moderator, Ohio Whitney, Jr. Clerk, Jerome W. Foster. 
Selectmen, Elbridge Stimson, Jerome W. Foster, Addison 

A. Walker. 
Assessors, John L. Cummings, Austin Whitney, Luke 
Marble. 

1869. Moderator, John B. Thompson. Clerk, Jerome W. 

Foster. 
Selectmen, Franklin Russell, Simeon Merritt, Nathaniel L. 

Eaton . 
Assessors, Newton Hayden, John L. Cummings, Theodore 

Greenwood. 

1870. Moderator, Ohio Whitney, Jr. Clerk, Jerome W. Foster. 
Selectmen, Franklin Russell, Jesse Parker, Addison A. 

Walker. 
Assessors, Austin Whitney, John L. Cummings, Theodore 
Greenwood. 

1871. Moderator, Ohio Whitney. Clerk, Jerome W. Foster. 
Selectmen, Franklin Russell, Jesse Parker, George E. 

Davis. 
Assessors, Austin Whitney, John L. Cummings, Theodore 
Greenwood. 

1872. Moderator, Ohio Whitney. Clerk, Newton Hayden. 
Selectmen, Simeon Merritt, George E. Davis, Addison A. 

Walker. 



STATE RELATIONS, POLITICS, TOWN OFFICERS. 241 

Assessors, John L. Cummings, Theodore Greenwood, 
George C. Foster. 

1873. Moderator, Ohio Whitney. Clerk, Newton Hayden. 
Selectmen, Simeon Merritt, John L. Cummings, George E. 

Davis. 
Assessors, John L. Cummings, Theodore Greenwood, 
Jesse Parker. 

1874. Moderator, Melvin O. Adams. Clerk, Newton Hayden. 
Selectmen, Simeon Merritt, Austin Whitney, Martin B. 

Lane. 
Assessors, Austin Whitney, Walter R. Adams, Marshall 
Wetherbee. 

1875. Moderator, Melvin 0. Adams. Clerk, Newton Hayden. 
Selectmen, Simeon Merritt, Austin Whitney, Martin B. 

Lane. 
Assessors, Walter R. Adams, Marshall Wetherbee, John 
L. Cummings. 

1876. Moderator, Melvin O. Adams. Clerk, Newton Hayden. 
Selectmen, Simeon Merritt, Nathaniel Pierce, Benjamin E. 

Wetherbee. 
Assessors, John L. Cummings, Marshall Wetherbee, 
Franklin Russell. 

1877. Moderator, John H. Wilkins. Clerk, George F. Stevens. 
Selectmen, John L. Cummings, Nathaniel Pierce, Benja- 
min E. Wetherbee. 

Assessors, the Selectmen. 

1878. Moderator, John H. Wilkins. Clerk, George F. Stevens. 
Selectmen, John L. Cummings, Nathaniel Pierce, Benja- 
min E. Wetherbee. 

Assessors, the Selectmen. 

1879. Moderator, John H. Wilkins. Clerk, George F. Stevens. 
Selectmen, John L. Cummings, Nathaniel Pierce, Benja- 
min E. Wetherbee. 

Assessors, the Selectmen. 

1880. Moderator, John H. Wilkins. Clerk, George F. Stevens. 

16 



242 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Selectmen, Simeon Merritt, Charles T. Litch, Orange 

Whitney. 
Assessors, Walter R. Adams, Francis A. Whitney, Charles 

W. Whitney, 2d. 

1881. Moderator, John H. Wilkius. Clerk, George F, Stevens. 
Selectmen, Simeon Merritt, Charles T. Litch, John M. 

Pratt. 
Assessors, Walter R. Adams, Francis A. Whitney, Charles 
W. Whitney, 2d. 

1882. Moderator, John H. Wilkins. Clerk, George F. Stevens. 
Selectmen, Simeon Merritt, Charles T. Litch, John M. 

Pratt. 
Assessors, Francis A. Whitney, Charles F. Rockwood. 
Charles E. Woodward. 

1883. Moderator, John H. Wilkins. Clerk, George F. Stevens, 
Selectmen, Charles T. Litch, Edward S. Flint, Charles H. 

Pratt. 
Assessors, Benjamin E. Wetherbee, Daniels Ellis, Jr., 
Charles E. Woodward. 

1884. Moderator, John H, Wilkins. Clerk, George F. Stevens. 
Selectmen, Charles T. Litch, Edward S. Flint, Charles H. 

Pratt. 
Assessors, John L. Cummings, Walter R. Adams, Henry 
C. Newell. 

1885. Moderator, John H. Wilkins. Clerk, George F. Stevens. 
Selectmen, Charles T. Litch, Charles H. Pratt, Edward S. 

Flint. 
Assessors, John L. Cummings, Walter R. Adams, Henry 
C. Newell. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTOEY. 

EARLY MEASURES TO SECURE PREACHING. REV. ELISHA HARDING. CALL 

AND ORDINATION OF REV. JONATHAN WINCHESTER. A CHURCH EM- 
BODIED. THE COVENANT. ORIGINAL MEMBERSHIP. ADDITIONS. 

THE FIRST DEACONS. DEATH OF MR. WINCHESTER. HIS CHARACTER. 

CALL AND ORDINATION OF REV. JOHN CUSHING. A LONG AND SUCCESSFUL 

MINISTRY. AN ERA OF CONCORD. DISCIPLINE WITHOUT ASPERITY. 

HALF WAY COVENANT. DEATH OB MR. CUSHING. HIS CHARACTER. 

CALL AND ORDINATION OP REV. GEORGE PERKINS. INSTALLATION OF 

KEV. GEORGE GOODYEAR. REV. EDWIN JENNISON. REV. ELNATHAN 

DAVIS. REV. FREDERICK A. FISKE. REV. ELBRIDGE G. LITTLE. REV. 

THOMAS BOUTELLE. REV. GEORGE E. FISHER. REV. MOODY A. STEVENS. 

— REV. LEONARD S. PARKER. REV. DANIEL E. ADAMS. REV. JOSIAH 

D. CROSBY. A VACANCY. THE DEACONS. 

Twenty yeaes the meeting-house in Dorchester Canada 
invited occupancy before there was a settled minister. 
During this period there were occasional supplies but more 
frequently the settlers attended church in Lunenburg, where 
Moses Foster, James Coleman, Unity Brown, John Bates, 
Thomas Wheeler and others were in full or covenant rela- 
tions. The church records of Lunenburg represent that 
many of the children born in Dorchester Canada previous to 
1760 were baptized there. It is not known who preached 
or who assembled to hear the first sermon in the township 
and previous to the advent of Mr. Winchester the name of 
only one minister is found in the records. It is probable 
that the settlers sought and on week days sometimes enjoyed 
the friendly services of the clergy of Lunenburg, Townsend 

243 



244 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

and Westminster. Any other supply that was secured by 
the settlers without the intervention of the proprietors would 
escape mention in the records. 

The humble plans of the settlement to secure preaching 
and the accumulating purpose reflected in the successive 
votes on the subject afford a renewed illustration of the fact 
that all our present privileges have sprung from unpreten- 
tious beginnings. Their first proposals were scarcely more 
than the suggestion of a prophecy of what has been accom- 
plished. In 1750 the proprietors decide "not to prosecute 
the affair of calling a minister," but the following year they 
are found ready to order "that an Orthodox minister be 
applied to, to agree to preach the Gospel every four weeks 
if suitable weather." No money or committee was provided 
to carry the vote into effect. It was a timid proposition. 
Possibly they viewed their proceedings in this light, since 
in 1753, an earnest purpose is reflected in the vote "that 
Mr. Joseph Wheelock, Mr. Caleb Wilder and Mr. Benja- 
min Bigelow be a committee to see that a Gospel minister 
preach in said township until further orders of the pro- 
priety." None of the committee resided in the township 
and it is quite probable that they failed to meet the desires 
of the proprietors and particularly of those who had removed 
to the settlement. At the succeedino; meetino- the language 
becomes more emphatic. It assumes the dignity of a com- 
mand. "Voted that eighteen pounds be put into the hands 
of Mr. Foster to be applied by him to secure preaching." 
Moses Foster had resided in the tow^nship several years. If 
he did not secure a minister it was not through a failure of 
personal interest or of his instructions ; but to provide 
against every emergency there was a supplementary vote 
that Nathan Melvin, also a resident, cooperate with Mr. 
Foster. In 1755 an appropriation was made for current 



ECCLESIASTICAL IlISTOUY. 245 

expenses including preaching but no specific sum was set 
apart for this purpose. Between this date and the settle- 
ment of Mr. Winchester several payments were made on 
this account, but the records only preserve the name of 
Rev. Elisha Harding, who received four pounds " for preach- 
ing in Dorchester Canada." Mr. Harding was settled in 
Brookfield, Massachusetts, September 13, 1749, and dis- 
missed May 8, 1755. In May, 1759, another appropriation 
of eighteen pounds was made and Captain Caleb Dana of 
Cambridge and John Bates and Elisha Coolidge of Dorches- 
ter Canada were selected " to provide preaching in said 
township." The early eftbrts of this committee introduced 
to the settlement Rev. Jonathan Winchester. The candi- 
date was favorably received. A call was extended Novem- 
ber 27, 1759, and he was ordained April 23, 1760. The 
story of the call and the ordination is briefly outlined in the 
records. 

1759 Oct. 22. To appoint a committee to treat and agree with 
Mr. Jonathan Winchester, who has been 
preaching the Gospel there for some time 
past, concerning his settling in the work of 
the ministry there. 

1759 Nov. 22. Voted that their should be twenty shillings 
lawful money Laid as a tax upon each Com- 
mon Right yearly as a salary for Mr. Jona- 
than "Winchester provided he shall settle in 
said township as a Gospel minister. One 
moitie thereof to be paid at the end of six 
months from the time he shall be agreed with 
to settle there and the other moietie in 
twelve months, annually, for the term of 
seven years or till such time as said town- 
ship shall come into some other method of 
Raising said sura of money for his support. 



246 HISTORY OF ASHBUHNHAM. 

Voted that there be twenty shillings Lawfull 
money Laid as a tax upon each Common Right 
as a Settlement for the above said Winchester 
if he shall settle as aforesaid, and to be paid 
to the treasurer by the time the said Win- 
chester shall be ordained in said township. 

Voted that Cap'" Caleb Dana, Nathan Hay- 
wood, Cap'" Caleb Wilder, M^ John Moffat 
and Mr. Benj* Church be a Committee to 
treat and agree with Mr. Winchester con- 
cerning his settling in said township. 
1760 Feb. 18. To hear the Report of the Committee appointed 
to treat and agree with M"" Jonathan Win- 
chester concerning his settling in the work 
of the ministry there. 

To grant and raise money for the expense of 
his ordination in case of his acceptance of 
the invitation given him. 
1760 March 25. Voted that the place for ordination of M"^ Win- 
chester shall be in the township of Dorches- 
ter Canada. 

Voted the time for ordaining M' Winchester 
shall be ou Wednesday the twenty-third day 
of April next. 

Voted that we apply to five churches to assist 
in ordaining M^ Winchester, that we send 
to the first Church in Cambridge, to the 
Church in Lunenburg, to the Church in 
Acton, to the Church in Lancaster and to 
the Church in Brookline to assist in said 
ordination. 

Voted that each proprietor pay three shillings 
to defray the Cost and Charge of the ordi- 
nation to be paid forthwith into the hands of 
the treasurer or other person or persons as 
the proprietors shall appoint to receive the 
same. 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 247 

Voted that M^ Moses Foster, Cap"^ Caleb 
Wilder and Cap'" Samuel Himt be a Com- 
mittee to provide for said ordination in as 
convenient a place as may be and that they 
or any of them be impowered to receive the 
money granted for that purpose. 

Voted that M"" Winchester may fence in and 
improve the meeting House Lot being forty 
rods square where the meeting House now 
stands, provided he doth not incommode the 
County road nor obstruct or hinder the 
Burrying of the dead, the burying place 
being in that lot. 

The ordination, as appears in these votes, was arranged 
by an exterior organization but the minister was settled over 
the people. If the proprietors directed the proceedings their 
duties ended with them. The future comprehended only 
the new relations between the pastor and his flock. An 
agreement was made with Mr. Winchester in January. 
Probably the ordination was intentionally deferred until the 
close of the winter season. 

Beyond the mention of the churches invited there is no 
record of the council. The records of the church in Brook- 
line contain the following entry under date of "April 13, 
1760. — Lord's Day. The pastor communicated to the 
church a letter from the committee of Dorchester Canada 
desiring the assistance of this church in the ordination of 
Mr. Jonathan Winchester, whereupon the church voted to 
comply with this request and chose Messrs. White, Aspin- 
wall. Croft, Isaac and Joseph Winchester to represent them. 

"Upon the request of Mr. Winchester the church dis- 
missed and recommended him to the fellowship of the 
Church in Dorchester Canada." 



248 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

The pastor of the Brookline church at this time Avas Rev. 
Joseph Jackson. Joseph Winchester was a brother of the 
candidate and Mr. Croft, probably, was a relative of Mrs. 
Winchester. Rev. John Swift, pastor of the church in 
Acton, was one of the proprietors of the township. The 
invitations included the venerable Rev. Dr. Nathaniel 
Appleton of Cambridge and Rev. Timothy Harrington of 
Lancaster. Caleb Dana was a member of the church in 
Cambridge and the Wilders of the church in Lancaster. 
The records of the churches last named are incomplete, and 
while they contain no reference to the ordination of Mr. 
Winchester it is probable that all the churches invited were 
represented on the occasion. The invitation to the church 
in Lunenburg was significant. It was the voice of the 
settlement. Many of the settlers had been accustomed to 
worship there and Rev. David Stearns was the only 
minister they had known for many years. Without his 
presence the council would have been incomplete. The 
original letter of Mr. Winchester accepting the invitation of 
the proprietors, written in plain round characters, is 
preserved. 

To Messrs. Caleb Dana, Caleb Wilder, Nathan Haywood, 
John Moffatt and Benjamin Church, a committee of the 
proprietors of the township called Dorchester Canada in the 
county of Worcester, to communicate to said proprietors : 

Gentlemen^ 

Whereas you have given me, the subscriber, the most unworthy 
and- undeserving, an invitation and call to settle in the important 
work of the Gospel Ministry at Dorchester Canada, I thank you 
for the respect and favour therein discovered to me. 

After due consideration, asking advice, and especially seeking 
to the great Head of the Church for direction in so momentous 
and weighty an affair, esteeming your offers for my settlement 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 249 

and support reasonable and generous and relying upon this 
(which will be of very great consequence with respect to my 
temporal interests and the comfortable subsistance of my family) 
viz. : that the right of land, which the first settled Gospel 
minister in the place is entitled to by the grant of the great and 
general court, be good and convenient for my settlement and that 
if the lots already appropriated to that purpose are not so, they be 
changed for lands more commodious, I have determined to accept 
your call and hereby do manifest my acceptance thereof. Asking 
your prayers and depending on Divine Grace for assistance that I 
may be enabled faithfully to discharge so important a trust and 
that my settling as a Gospel minister may be a means by the 
blessing of heaven of furthering the growth and prosperity of the 
place and promoting pure and nndefiled religion in the hearts and 
lives of the inhabitants is the desire and prayer of, Gentlemen 
Your devoted and most humble servant 

JONATHAN WINCHESTER. 
Brookltne, January 23, 1760. 

The cliurcli was embodied the same day. Endorsing the 
prevailing creed of New England and desiring to enjoy the 
fellowship of the churches, it became necessary to adopt a 
covenant embracins; the essential features of their faith. It 
would be expected that common forms of expression would 
be found in the covenants, but it further appears that the 
covenant approved by the church in Gardner in 1786 is 
substantially a copy of the declaration adopted at this time. 
The original covenant is still preserved and on the back are 
written the names of the thirteen male members, who were 
admitted at the embodiment of the church. The covenant 
and the names are as follows : 

COVENANT. 

We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, being as we appre- 
hend called of God to enter into the Church State of the Gospel 



250 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

for the free and constant enjoyment of God's Worship and Ordi- 
nances, do in the first place acknowledge our nnworthiness to be 
so highly favored of God at the same time admiring and adoring 
the rich and free Grace of God that triumphs over so great 
nnworthiness, with a humble dependence upon the Grace of God 
to enable us to do our dut}", we would thankfully lay hold on his 
Covenant and choose the things that please Him. 

We declare our serious and hearty belief of the Christian 
Religion as contained in the Sacred Scriptures and as usually 
embraced by the faithful in the Churches of New England, which 
is summarily exhibited (in the substance of it) in their confession 
of Faith ; heartily resolving to conform our lives by the rule of 
Christ's holy Religion as long as we live in the world. 

We give up ourselves to the Lord Jehovah who is the Father, 
the Son and Holy Spirit, we vouch him this day to be our God, 
our Father and our Savior and Leader and receive him as our 
portion forever. 

We give up ourselves to the Blessed Jesus acknowledging His 
true Deity resolving to adhere to Him as the head of his people 
in the Covenant of Grace, and we do rely upon Him as our 
Prophet, Priest and King to bring us to eternal blessedness. 

We acknowledge our everlasting and indisputable obligation to 
glorify God in all the Duties of a sober godly life and very par- 
ticularly in the duties of a church state and a body of people 
associated for an Obedience to Him in all the ordinances of the 
Gospel and we hereupon depend on bis Grace as sufficient for our 
faithful discharge of the Duties thus incumbent upon us. 

We desire and also promise and engage with assistance to walk 
together as a church of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Faith and 
Order of the Gospel, so far as we do know the same, faithfully 
and conscientiously attending the Public Worship of God and the 
Sacrements of the New Testament. And that we will be observ- 
ant of the rules and laws of Christ's Kingdom which regard the 
Discipline and Government of the Church as they have in 
general been administered among the churches before mentioned. 
And that we will attend all God's holy institutions in communion 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 251 

with one another, watching over one another with a spirit of 
meekness, love and tenderness carefully avoiding all sinful 
stumbling blocks, strifes, contentions and that we will endeavor to 
keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of Peace. 

We do also present our Offspring with ourselves unto the Lord 
resolving with Divine Help to do our part in the Method of a Relig- 
ious Education, that they may be the Lords, and that we will 
particularly be careful in our endeavor dul}' to sanctifie the Sab- 
bath and to keep up Religion in our Families. And all this we do 
flying to the Blood of the everlasting Covenant for the pardon of 
all our sins, praying the glorious Head of the church who is the 
great Shepherd of the Sheep would prepare and strengthen us for 
every good work to do his will working in us that which will be 
pleasing in his sight, to whom be glory forever and ever. 

Jonathan Winchester, Pastor 

Philip Yorback 

Christian Wm. Whiteman 

John Rich 

Jacob Schoffe 

John Kib linger 

Elisha Coolidge 

Unity Brown 

John Oberlock 

Moses Foster 

Thomas Wheeler 

James Coleman 

John Bates 

In the transcript of the covenant and signatures made by 
Mr. Gushing the name of Unity Brown is written Unight 
Brown probably from the fact tliat his Christian name was 
sometimes written Unite and incorrectly pronounced in two 
syllables. The wives of the original members united with 
the church at this time or soon after, but their names do not 
appear in the records. Mr. Winchester and his wife brought 
letters from the church in Brookline. ]Moses Foster, James 



252 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Coleman, Unity Brown and their wives were received on 
letters from the church in Lunenburg where they had main- 
tained relations during their early residence in the settlement, 
and it is probable that some of the Germans presented letters 
from churches in their native land. 

The additions to the church during the ministry of Mr. 
Winchester were Jeremiah Foster by profession, 1761 ; 
Samuel Fellows and wife, William Whitcomb and wife and 
Sarah Dickerson by letters from church in Harvard and 
Stephen Ames and wife by profession, 1762 ; Tristram 
Cheney and wife and Hannah Joyner by letter from church 
in Sudbury, Ebenezer Conant and wife from church in Con- 
cord, 1763; John Martin and wife, Samuel Fellows, Jr., 
and wife and Ebenezer Hemenway by profession, 1764 ; 
Jeremiah Foster, Jr., and Abraham Smith and wife by 
profession, 1765 ; Deliverance Davis and wife and Mary 
Whitman, wife of John Whitman, by profession, 1766 ; 
Daniel Merrill and wife, Sarah Foster, wife of Jeremiah 
Foster, Jr., and Job Coleman and wife, 1767. The whole 
number is forty-two, to which should be added the names of 
the females who were received at the organization of the 
church. The first deacons were Moses Foster and Samuel 
Fellows but a record of their election is not found. Beyond 
this outline of the results of his ministry, little is known of 
the labors and characteristics of Mr. Winchester. That he 
secured the love and respect of his people and was regarded 
as a most worthy and upright man is reflected in the measure 
of their sorrow at his death. The proprietors also manifested 
their esteem in a vote to make him a gratuity in addition to 
his stated salary. " Voted that the proprietors Avill grant 
Rev. Mr. Winchester £18 as a consideration of the extraor- 
dinary expense, he has been put to for two years past, on 
account of the high price of provisions." This action 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 253 

occurred January 20, 1763, and is suggestive of the hard- 
ships and trials attending both the pastor and his people in a 
new settlement. 

The death of Mr. Winchester, which occurred on Wednes- 
day, November 26, 1767, was a serious loss to the young 
parish. At once they were bereft of a faithful pastor, a 
judicious counsellor and a sincere friend.. Their established 
relations, their mutual plans, their brightest hopes of the 
future were ended by the sad event. That the people 
realized their loss and gave unmistakable expression of the 
deepest sorrow is announced in the records and confirmed by 
many traditions. The widow continued to reside in this 
town where she died July 27, 1794, and the name has never 
faded from the registers of the town. 

Rev. Jonathan Winchester, son of Henry and Frances 
Winchester of Brookline, was born April 21, 1717. He was 
graduated at Harvard University 1737, and for several 
years was a school teacher in Brookline. He married May 
5, 1748, Sarah Crofts, an educated and talented lady, of 
Brookline, where six of their ten children were born. If 
]Mr. Winchester preached anywhere previous to his removal 
to this town the fact has not appeared. When he began 
preaching here he had not been ordained and consequently 
this was his first settlement in the ministry. If little has 
been found concernins; the life and characteristics of Mr. 
Winchester, there is abundant evidence that he was a man 
of singular purity of character, a kind neighbor and an 
earnest and effective preacher. That he was respected and 
greatly beloved by his people is clearly reflected in the 
records, and that he was a man of earnest, steadfast pur- 
poses, of generous and friendly impulses, restrained by a 
firm adherence to the commands of duty, is supported by 
many traditions. 



254 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

It is the testimony of Dr. Cushing that he lived in peace 
and was respected and beloved and when he died was much 
himented. And his parish soon after his death engraved 
jipon the tablet that marks his grave their appreciation of 
the minister whom they had loved. 

THE GENTLEMAN, THE SCHOLAR AND THE CHRISTIAN WERE IN 

HIM CONSPICUOUS. AS A PREACHER, HE WAS ACCEPTABLE ; 

AS A HUSBAND, TENDER ; AS A PARENT, AFFECTIONATE ; 

AS A NEIGHBOR, KIND ; AS A FRIEND, SINCERE ; 

FOR CANDOR, MEEKNESS, PATIENCE AND 

MODESTY REMARKABLE. 

Integer vitce, scelerisque jJif'i'us. 

A newspaper of the time, The Boston Post Boy and 
Advertiser, in the issue of December 28, 1767, announces 
the death of Mr. Winchester in these terms : " The latter end 
of November died at Ashburnham , long known by the name 
of Dorchester Canada, the Rev. Mr. Jonathan Winchester, 
Minister of the church in that town. A sensible, worthy 
man." 

After the death of Mr. Winchester, the church " chose 
Deacon Moses Foster moderator while destitute of a pastor." 
"June 16, 1768, the church met and made choice of John 
Cushing for the minister with a full vote and chose Deacons 
Foster and Fellows and Brother Cheney as a committee to 
acquaint him of it." In this action of the church the town 
on the fourth of July unanimously concurred. " September 
21, 1768, the church met and voted that the ordination of 
the pastor elect, John Cushing, should be on the second 
day of November following, and voted to send to seven 
churches." " Chose Deacon Fellows, Elisha Coolidge and 
Tristram Cheney to sign the letters missive." To this 
decision of the church the town promptlj^ assented and made 
ample arrangements for the occasion. 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 255 

The council, if all the invitations Avere accepted, was com- 
posed of Rev. Joseph Sumner of Shrewsbury, the successor 
of the father of Mr. Gushing; Rev. Ebenezer Morse, pastor 
of the North Parish, now Boylston ; Rev. Ebenezer Park- 
man of Westboro', the father of the future wife of Mr. 
Gushing ; Rev. Jacob Gushing of Waltham, a brother of 
the candidate : Rev. Asaph Rice of Westminster ; Rev. 
Stephen Farrar of New Ipswich, at whose ordination 
Mr. Winchester had assisted and Rev. John Payson of 
Fitch burg. 

In full sympathy with this sombre day in autumn and 
with hearts heavy with sorrow for their first minister, whom 
they had loved, the church and parish look to his successor 
with hope and courage. Many trivial affairs have made 
more display on the pages of the records but in its pervading 
and salutary influences in directing and moulding the senti- 
ment of another generation, in the full measure of its results, 
the ordination of Mr. Gushing was a most memorable event 
in the annals of Ashburnham. The minister, in the robust 
strength and courage of early manhood, assumes the labors 
and burdens of a lifetime ; while the people, entering an 
era of concord, willingly comply with the mild yet unyield- 
ing influences of his faithful ministrations. 

The years of a successful ministry crowned with the 
rewards of peace and harmony are only the links in a con- 
tinuous chain of similar events. They are so alike in 
outline, so connected in record, they cannot be regarded 
separately. The labor of Mr. Gushing began with his 
ordination and ended with his death. It admits of no 
divisions. For fifty-five and one-half years the course of 
his labor, like the flow of a river, was uninterrupted and 
onward. To measure the flood emptied into the sea we 
must notice the duration as well as the volume of the 



256 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

current. Before his allotted work was scarce begun those 
aged at the time of his ordination had faded away ; the 
middle-aged and those in the strength of early manhood 
grew old and also died ; while yet with vigor unabated he 
ministered to their children and beneath his sight the youth 
he first beheld passed the stages of life and sunk beneath the 
weight of years. Without a change of scene his charge and 
congregation were many times renewed. 

The registers of the church during his ministry are a 
continued record of wisdom in administration and freedom 
from any serious contention. At the beginning the town 
was united in religious opinions and in harmony with the 
creed of the church. At a later period the pastor and the 
church found frequent employment in dealing with an 
increasing number of dissenters. First, a few announcing a 
change of opinion on the doctrine of baptism desired to with- 
draw and unite with those of kindred faith, and early within 
the present century a larger number withdrew and united 
with the Methodists. Compared with the prevailing usage 
and practice of the times a liberal policy was pursued and 
a commendable measure of forbearance and toleration was 
exercised. In a review of the position of the church in 
these proceedings Mr. Gushing says, — "There has generally 
been manifested a disposition that each should enjoy liberty 
of conscience. I have uniformly endeavored to exercise 
charity towards dissenters and to avoid asperity and cen- 
soriousness. And the reflection that I have thus endeavored 
afibrds satisfaction. In exercising the discipline of Christ's 
kingdom I have aimed to avoid severity. I have ofter 
thought of an observation of the bishop of St. Asaph as 
worthy of regard : ' The art of government consists in not 
governing too much.' " 

The o-reat embarrassment of the church rested in the fact 
that each measure of discipline on questions of faith was 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 257 

answered by a request for a letter of dismissal and recom- 
mendation. This they could not grant without officially 
recoa-nizino- a church of another denomination and that, for 
many years, they would not do. The church also main- 
tained that a withdrawal without leave was amenable to 
discipline and that a dismissal could not be granted until the 
offending persons had given satisfaction to the church. A 
candid review of these proceedings must lead to the conclu- 
sion that the church in fact was laid under the sternest 
discipline and wisely profited by it. With a laudable 
degree of justice and in advance of the practice of the 
churches in this vicinity the church in Ashburnham began 
to grant dismissals when requested and to give a general 
certificate of good moral character. This procedure at once 
freed the church from a perpetual season of discipline and 
left the dissenters, armed with a commendation "to whom it 
may concern," at full liberty to follow the leadings of duty 
or inclination. 

In 1778, the following persons were dismissed upon their 
declaration that they had changed their sentiments in 
respect to Infant Baptism, the manner of supporting the 
Gospel, and of admitting church members : Elisha Coolidge, 
Ebenezer Conant, Ebenezer Conant, Jr., and wife, Nathan 
Putnam and wife, Nathan Bigelow and wife, Jacob Willard 
and wife, Jacob Constantine and wife, John Martin and wife, 
and John Bigelow. Upon their dismissal they were favored 
with the following letter : 

Whereas Elisha Coolidge and others, members of this church, 
have withdrawn themselves from this church and plead their 
changing their religious sentiments with respect to Infant Baptism, 
etc., as the reason, and that they can't in conscience hold com- 
munion with us as heretofore and desiring a dismission from 

their relations to this church, Tliese are to signify that we would 

17 



258 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

not forcibly detain them or bold tbem against their consent, but 
do dismiss them from their relations to us and certify withal that 
before they withdrew from communion with us they were free 
from scandal and while they appeared before the church, to give 
their reasons for absenting, they conducted in a brotherly and 
christian manner. 

While the persons who withdrew at this time were styled 
Baptists on account of a feature of their creed they further 
contended that it was sinful and unscriptural to maintain a 
salaried clergy, or in their own words, "we are against those 
that preach for hire or those that ask pay for kindling a fire 
on God's altar." The case of Mary Cheney who joined the 
Baptists without requesting a dismissal was attended with 
more difficulty : 

The Church of Christ in Ashburnham to Mary Cheney: 

At a meeting of the church regularly held, your conduct in 
leaving this church without leave or notice given was taken in 
consideration and, after maturely weighing the matter, judged that 
it was a breach of covenant and that j^ou ought to be admonished 
for j-our disordei'ly conduct. When you was admitted among us, 
you solemnly promised to walk in communion with us as far as 
you knew your duty, and we promised to watch over you and are 
now endeavoring to perform our engagement by sending you this 
letter of admonition. When you was dissatisfied with us and could 
not in conscience have communion with us, why could you not 
have manifested 3'our mind? We do not want to debar any 
from enjo^'ing liberty of conscience, but how can the purity and 
order of the church possibly be kept up, if members, contrary to 
solemn engagements, break away from one church to another with- 
out the least notice given? Your change of opinions can't justify 
your conduct, for God is a God of order and not of confusion. 

We therefore admonish you for breach of covenant and earnestl}' 
entreat you to consider seriously of what you have done and of the 
bad and dangerous consequences of such disorderly behavior and 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 259 

to give the church you have justly offended christian satisfaction 
without which we cannot at an}' time admit you to any privilege 
among us if 3'ou should desire it. And we judge also that the 
church to which you have joined are disorder!}- and ought to be 
admonished. We pray the great Shepherd would lead and guide 
you by his spirit, make you fully sensible of your evil conduct and 
dispose you to make that satisfaction which we must suppose your 
conscience upon mature deliberation will readily dictate. 

"We subscribe ourselves your offended brethren, yet ready to be 
reconciled upon reasonable and christian terms. 

The defection of a few from the church to the Methodists 
occurred at a later period and under the warmth of a more 
charitable and tolerant spirit. The following letter truthfully 
reflects the pacific policy which pervades the records at this 
period. 

April 4, 1796. — Whereas our brother Stephen Randall, Jr., has 
requested that he may be dismissed from this to the Episcopal 
Methodist Church because he finds he is better edified than to 
continue with us and is not fully satisfied with the custom of dis- 
ciplining members, we would say, we wish not to deprive him of 
any good which he thinks he may gain for his soul, we are free 
and willing that every one should have liberty of conscience. 
Also a letter of dismission would introduce him into the Methodist 
Church, from the principle of christian charity and communion we 
should readily grant it, certifying that his moral character is good. 
We desire and pray that he may adorn the doctrine of Jesus 
Christ with those of his denomination, though we would not be 
understood as fully approving all their doctrines and discipline. 

In other cases of discipline, with limited knowledge of the 
facts and surroundings, it would be folly to inquire if the 
church had been severe or if the ofienders had sinned. Only 
one case evincing the breadth and tenderness of brotherhood 
will be cited. This report of a committee delegated to visit 



260 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

one of the most prominent citizens of the town is in the 
language of Mr. Gushing who was one of the committee and 
is dated January 1, 1818. 

We waited upon him soon after our appointment and after say- 
ing everything we could on the one hand to dissuade him from the 
excessive use of spirit, and on the other to encourage him to a 
reformation, at length he told us that he had come to a resolution 
to refrain entirely for one month. At the end of which we might 
visit him again and if we found he had broken over the resolution 
we might do with him as we thought best. Accordingly at the 
end of the month we all visited him again and he declared he had 
not taken a drop of spirit, and upon being asked what his purpose 
was for the future he told that it was his determination to per- 
severe, so that we were relieved from the disagreeable work of 
leaving the letter of admonition with him, and we rejoiced together 
at the pleasing and happy prospect of a reformation. He seemed 
to have uncomfortable apprehensions that he should not be able to 
remove the offence he had given the church. But we answered 
him that the offence would cease immediately upon his reformation, 
that the church would rejoice , that his family and connections 
would rejoice, j'ca and the angels in Heaven would rejoice. 

It is within the memory of many of the aged among us, 
that Mr. Gushing maintained an advanced position on the 
question of temperance and that in the pulpit, more fre- 
quently than many of his contemporaries, he boldly preached 
the error and evils of intemperance. If his views on this 
subject were presented with a characteristic rigor of opinion, 
they were attended in his daily walk among his people with 
that spirit of forgiveness and brotherly love and tenderness 
which pervades the report we have cited. 

The church in Ashburnham was among the first to 
abandon the custom of administering the rites of baptism to 
the children of parents who were not members of the church. 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 261 

This custom of very early origin prevailed in many of the 
New England churches until a comparatively recent period. 
The parents who thus desired to present their offspring for 
baptism were required to " own the covenant," or in other 
words, to publicly express a general belief in the creed of 
the church. They were not required to profess, and it is 
reasonably certain they did not always possess, the moral 
qualification of membership and they were only expected to 
-express an intellectual assent to the general truths of the 
church covenant. The persons who had only owned the 
covenant were not admitted to communion nor were they 
amenable to church discipline, but being admitted to the 
privilege of presenting their children for baptism on an 
equality with those in full communion they were frequently 
styled "half way members." This practice continued 
throughout the ministry of Mr. Winchester, but it never 
fully met the approval of Mr. Gushing. With an habitual 
conservatism in regard to measures, and mindful of the vigi- 
lant tendency of his people to oppose any abridgment of 
their privileges or accepted customs, he presented the follow- 
ing proposition which was adopted without evidence of 
opposition : 

We the church of Christ iu Ashburnham, being desirous of pro- 
moting practical religion in this place, taking into consideration 
the general practice in the churches of persons owning the cove- 
nant, and having reason to fear that such are left to run too much 
at large without being watched over and not seeing the consistency 
of their solemnly owning the covenant and then not paying 
regard thereto as is the case too much with respect to some it 
appearing too evident that the main design of some is for the sake 
of enjoying the ordinance of baptism only : We have come into the 
following vote : 

That we will not for the future admit any to the privilege of 
baptism except members in full. And that we might not be 



262 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

thought too severe — if there should be anj' (which we hope will 
not be the case) , who are so full of doubt aud fear, that the}' dare 
not approach to the table, but yet are desirous of enjoying the 
privilege of baptism and putting themselves under the care and 
watch of the church, we shall not insist upon their participation 
under such a situation of their mind, nor proceed to censure them 
if they do not immediately partake of the ordinance. 

Inasmuch as there are several that are in covenant that are not 
members in full, this vote is not to be considered as cutting them 
off from a privilege granted to them heretofore. However we will 
consider them as under the inspection of the church, and we 
engage that we will watch over them as though they were mem- 
bers in full. 

This action occurred April 7, 1773. There were some 
precedents for it at this date, but it was twenty or more 
years in advance of very many churches situated nearer the 
schools of theology and the centres of influence. 

Notwithstanding the disintegrating influences which were 
felt at times not only in this town but throughout New 
England, the membership of the church slowly increased in 
numbers throughout the ministry of Mr. Gushing. The loss 
occasioned by death, by removals from the town and by a 
transfer of relations was more than compensated by an 
increase in population and the fruit of several seasons of 
unusual religious interest. The registers of the church in 
the handwriting of Mr. Gushing represent that, at the time 
of his death, there were about one hundred and thirty 
resident members. In one small volume the statistics of 
more than tifty years are carefully entered. The summary 
includes the names of three hundred and thirty-one persons 
admitted to the fellowship of the church ; the baptism of 
nine hundred and sixty-three children and twenty-four adults 
and the record of three hundred and twelve marriages. 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 263 

Rev. John Gushing, D. D., was born in Shrewsbury, 
Massachusetts, August 22, 1744. A descendant of the 
Gushing family of Ilingham he inherited the strong and 
vigorous traits of character which have distinguished many 
generations. He was a son of Rev. Job and Mary (Pren- 
tice) Gushing. His father was the first minister of Shrews- 
bury where he died August 6, 1760. His mother was the 
daughter of Rev. John and Mary (Gardner) Prentice of 
Lancaster and an honored name in the annals of that town. 
She died at the age of ninety years May 24, 1798. 

]Mr. Gushing entered Harvard University where he main- 
tained an honorable standing and was graduated 1764, 
exactly fifty years after his father had received a diploma 
from the same institution. At the age of twenty-four years 
he was ordained and settled over the church in this town, 
November 2, 1768, and died April 27, 1823. From his 
alma mater he received the degree of Doctor of Divinity 
1822. 

The most fitting tribute to the memory of Mr. Gushing is 
found in his works. For many years he was the only 
minister in the town. He stood in the midst of an increas- 
ing parish scattered over a large township, yet his influence 
pervaded every portion of it. He was faithful in every 
service. Two sermons were regularly prepared for the 
Sabbath, frequent discourses were written for week-day 
lectures and his ministrations to the sick and the bereaved 
were prompt and unfailing. He was constant in his attend- 
ance upon the schools and in all social relations with his 
parish. At every fireside the serenity of his countenance, 
the wisdom of his speech and the purity of his life and 
example were continually deepening the impression and 
enforcing the influences of his public ministrations. He 
gladly welcomed all the moral and benevolent enterprises 



264 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

of his time. The cause of temperance and the early mission- 
ary organizations received from him a warm and efficient 
support. 

In stature, Mr. Gushing was tall and portly ; in bearing 
dignified and erect. He moved with precision and with the 
incisive mark of strength and vigor. As the infirmity of 
age grew upon him, his step was slower but never faltering ; 
his form became slightly bowed but lost none of its original 
dignity and commanding presence. His mild blue eye and 
the serenity of his countenance were undimmed even when 
his whitened and flowing locks were counting the increasing 
furrows of age in his face. 

As a preacher he adhered to the fundamental doctrines of 
his creed and supported them with frequent quotation from 
the Scriptures. The plan of his discourse was lucid and his 
methods of reasoning direct and log-ical. If he was tenacious 
in the use of set terms and forms of speech he invariably 
applied them with aptness and precision. He did not rely 
on the abundance of words or the exhibition of emotion, but 
upon the weight and sequence of the central truths which 
formed the theme of his discourse. His voice was clear, 
strong and pleasing. He read his sermons closely and 
without gesture. In delivery he was moderate, earnest and 
impressive. At home and abroad he was justly regarded as 
an able, instructive preacher. The ability of Mr. Gushing 
in an intellectual sense was conspicuous. Measured by men 
of acknowledged power and ability he was not deficient. 
He held a foremost rank among illustrious compeers in his 
profession and was an equal in mind and character of Rev- 
erends Payson of Rindge, Farrar and Hall of New Ipswich, 
Waters of Ashlw, Rice of Westminster and Pillsbury of 
Winchendon. 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 265 

As a counsellor he was prudent and judicial. Possessing 
a thorough knowledge of ecclesiastical law and skilled in the 
usages of the church, his advice w^as frequently sought in 
the settlement of contention in other churches. In such 
service his counsels were invaluable. If his associates were 
exacting and harsh in their conclusions, his judgments were 
alwa^'s tempered with mercy and his decisions fragrant with 
forgiveness and reconciliation. In the midst of every form 
of contention, his goal was peace and seldom was he moved 
from his accustomed paths by the passions of contending 
men. In ecclesiastical councils of a more pacific character 
his services were frequently solicited and cheerfully ren- 
dered and for many years a council was seldom convened in 
a circle of many miles to which he was not invited. 

In his daily life Mr. Gushing was laborious. His dis- 
courses were carefully written, his parochial visits were 
regularly made and the schools were familiar with his 
presence. With these uninterrupted ministrations and the 
care of his fann he found time in some way for reading and 
music. He was regarded by his associates in the ministry 
as a man of liberal knowledge and varied acquirements. 

He was preeminently a minister of the olden time. His 
parish was his field of labor and no one was neglected. His 
charge was his constant thought and duty, and while he 
watched for the fruit of his labor, he toiled on with unfail- 
ing hope and courage. Even in the decline of life and 
under the weight of nearly eighty years his service was 
acceptable and his parish united in their love and respect 
for their venerable teacher. It seems that their affection for 
him increased as he paled and grew feeble in their service. 
And when death came and stilled the pulsations of his warm 
and generous heart, his people paid a fitting tribute in the 
lines of sorrow engraved on every countenance. From that 



266 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

hour the voice of tradition began to assert that his genius 
was solid; his understanding clear; his judgment strong; 
his memory faithful ; his emotions cool and restrained yet 
his sympathies tender and his affections warm ; that his 
resolution and perseverance were unusual, that he was 
faithful to every trust and that his heart was so honest, his 
friendship so sincere and his tongue under such control, that 
his smile was a benediction and his speech a sermon. 

Mr. Gushing married September 28, 1769, Sarah Park- 
man, daughter of Rev. Ebenezer and Hannah (Breck) Park- 
man of Westboro, who surviving her husband died in this 
town March 12, 1825. The record of the family is con- 
tinued in the genealogical registers. 

After these many years the church and the parish were 
without a minister. There were several families in town 
that had removed hither soon after the settlement of Mr. 
Gushing, but very few were living who witnessed his ordi- 
nation. The only grown persons living in this town in 1768 
who remained here and survived Mr. Gushing were Enos 
Jones, Rebecca (Foster) Ward, widow of Galeb Ward, 
Judith (Foster) Brooks, widow of Dr. Peter Brooks. 

The following June the town chose William J. Lawrence, 
Thomas Hobart, Reuben Townsend, Jr., Joseph Jewett and 
Benjamin Barrett to supply the pulpit. At a meeting early 
in October the committee reported that " they had hired 
Mr. George Perkins to preach four Sabbaths." Three 
weeks later the town voted to hear Mr. Perkins four addi- 
tional Sabbaths and on the first day of December instructed 
the committee to employ Mr. Perkins until further orders 
from the town. December 24, eight months after the death 
of Mr. Gushing, the church extended a unanimous call, in 
which the town concurred in a vote of sixty-eight to seven- 
teen. The town instructed the committee formerly chosen 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 267 

to notify the candidate and the church joined Deacon Hunt, 

Dr. Lowe and Doddridge Gushing. The letter of accept- 

ance is subjoined : 

AsHBURNHAM, Janv. 24, 1824. 
To the Congregational Church and Society in Ashburnham : 

Christian Brethren and Friends — 

Having been presented by your committee with the votes of 
this church and congregation giving me a call to settle with jo\x 
as your Gospel minister and having, as I trust, attentively and 
prayerfully sought to know ray dut}^ in a case of such vast 
importance in its consequences, both to you and to myself, I have 
come to a determination to accept of the invitation contained in 
your votes, subject to the conditions specified therein. I am also 
ready to unite with the church and society in such measures a& 
may be necessary- to carry your votes and this answer into effect. 
As there ma}' be occasions which will render it necessary for me 
to leave this place for a longer period than one week at a time, 
I think it reasonable to claim the privilege of being absent two 
Sabbaths in each year, without abatement of compensation, — thi& 
being the least number usually granted. The church and society 
will also expect me to make such exchanges as are customary 
among neighboring ministers. 

Feeling, as I do, my unworthiness of so important a trust and 
my utter insuthciency in my own strength, to lead a life of use- 
fulness amongst you, I cannot close without making the further 
request that I may at all times have your fervent prayers to God 
that He would make me a zealous, faithful and successful minister 
of the New Testament to the souls of this people. 

GEORGE PERKINS. 

Mr. Perkins vras ordained February 25, 1824. The 
council comprised the Reverends Bascom and Putnam of 
Ashby, Putnam of Fitchburg, Mann of Westminster, Well- 
ington of Templeton, Estabrook of Athol, Sabin of Fitz- 
william and Deacon GeorjJ-e Coffin of Winchendou. 



268 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

The ministry of Mr. Perkins was successful and unusually 
acceptable to the church and congregation. Entering the 
ministry without pursuing a prescribed course of study he 
had not acquired the conventional manners of the schools, 
yet in him were combined dignity with affability and 
unusual plainness of speech with equal kindness. In the 
pulpit he was often colloquial, sometimes eloquent and 
always instructive. A few lines from a letter written by 
Sarah Jewett in December, 1823, will be accepted as 
authority in regard to his characteristics. " Mr. Perkins is 
our candidate. I am certain you will like him much, as 
you like unassuming manners. He is an uncommonly 
interesting man. His manner in the pulpit is easy and 
natural ; his composition chaste ; and his remarks original, 
and we seldom witness such urbanity of manner." It is 
the united testimony of all' who remember him that he was a 
devoted minister and a kind, sympathizing friend. By his 
ready sympathy and his exemplary walk and conversation 
he secured the aifections and respect of his people. In his 
public ministrations he was discreet and faithful. At a 
season of controversial discussion, which was rending many 
churches, his flock was united and by avoiding doctrinal 
preaching he persuaded his people to drown dissension in 
forge tfulness. The ministry of Mr. Perkins in this place 
was interrupted by the feebleness of the aged parents of 
his wife who sought his care and assistance. Obtaining a 
dismissal from his charge he returned to Connecticut. 

A mutual council was convened July 3, 1832, and after 
formally assenting to the desire of Mr. Perkins to be 
released from his charge the record proceeds : 

The council are happy to state that in the dissolution of the 
pastoral relations of the Rev. George Perkins to this church and 
people the most mutual good feeling has prevailed and we wish to 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 269 

state explicitly that the reasons assigned for a dissolution of this 
relation are such as do not show any dissatisfaction of the church 
and people towards their pastor nor any dissatisfaction on his 
part towards them. 

Rev. George Perkins, son of Dr. Elisha and Sarah 
(Douglas) Perkins, was born in Plainfield, Connecticut, 
October 19, 1783. He pursued a preparatory course of 
study at the Academy in his native town and was graduated 
at Yale College 1803. After reading law in the office of 
Hon. Charles Marsh of Woodstock, Vermont, he soon 
became a prominent lawyer in Norwich, Connecticut. In 
the continued practice of his profession he earned an excel- 
lent reputation as a safe and prudent counsellor and an able 
advocate. Such was his integrity and conscientious adher- 
ence to his idea of right, he was familiarly styled by his 
brethren in the profession and often by the public as 
"Honest George." In 1821, and soon after the death of 
his first wife, closing his office in Norwich and with little 
remark concerning: his intentions, he sous^ht the home of his 
brother. Rev. J. Douglas Perkins, in Coatesville, Pennsyl- 
vania, and under his tuition he pursued the study of theology 
a year or more. Entering the ministry at the age of forty 
years and after preaching a few Sabbaths in Ashby, his first 
continued pastoral labor was in this town. After his dis- 
missal from this church he was installed in 1832 over the 
church in Jewett City, Connecticut, where he remained six 
years. 

Of his ministry in that place. Rev. Thomas L. Shipman, 
his successor, has written, "He preached eloquently seven 
days in the week by the power of a holy life." Later he 
was occupied some time in the settlement of the estate of ^^-^ 
Dr. John Turner, the father of his wife, and residing in 



270 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Norwich he supplied in the vicinity from time to time until 
death came to abide with him September 15, 1852. 

Mr. Perkins, after a brief interval, was succeeded by Kev. 
■George Goodyear. He was the last minister who preached 
in the meeting-house on the hill and the first who ministered 
in the new house in the village. He was installed October 
10, 1832, and dismissed at his request November 16, 1841. 
This was a pastorate of pleasant and enduring memories and 
a season of temporal and spiritual prosperity. The new 
meetinof-house was built soon after the labors of Mr. Good- 
year began. The congregation was large and many names 
were enrolled on the registers of the church ; one hundred 
and ten members being received in a single year, of whom 
seventy-seven were admitted the first Sabbath in July, 1834. 
During this memorable season the pastor was assisted by 
Horatio Foot, the evangelist. Many who read his name 
will recall his earnest words and impassioned manner as they 
wonder if his appeal to the emotions was as enduring as the 
address of abler men to the intellect. 

In the discharge of ministerial duty, Mr. Goodyear was 
faithful and in all his relations with his fellow-men he was 
kind and sympathizing. No one approached him as a friend 
without feeling a;i answering kindness or in sorrow without 
being comforted. His sermons were the expression of an 
earnest purpose and a sincere desire to improve his hearers, 
and when he came down from the pulpit mingling with his 
people his religion, his gentleness, his aftability did not 
forsake him. In an eminent degree he secured the love of 
his people and the respect of the community. 

Rev. I. Sumner Lincoln, now livins; at an advanced asre 
in Wilton, New Hampshire, has paid an appreciative tribute 
to his friend and neio;hbor. 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 271 

My acquaintance with Mr. Goodyear commenced in 1821 when 
he entered Yale College, of which I became a member in 1818. 
After completing his academ' .. 1 and theological studies at Yale, 
and while preaching in pursuit of a place of settlement, he visited 
my settled home in Gardner and preached for me on Sunday a 
good sermon. Ashburnham was then destitute of a pastor. On 
Monday morning I carried him there and introduced and recom- 
mended him to the parish committee. From that time he became 
their minister and my good neighbor for nine years. During that 
time he made full proof of his gospel ministry' both as a good 
preacher and pastor. He sustained a good reputation as a man 
and a minister and made many most worthy friends. After he 
left that place and I left Gardner we were widely separated for 
some years, but for the last fifteen years we have been happy 
neighbors again, he in Temple and myself in Wilton, where our 
friendly intercourse was renewed and continued to the time of his 
recent departure to his celestial home. Full of Christian faith, 
virtue and hope he has passed into the personal presence of his 
Lord and Savior. 

Rev. George Goodyear, son of Simeon and Hannah 
(Beadsly) Goodyear, was born in Hamden, Connecticut, 
December 9, 1801. The Goodyears of Connecticut have 
been distinguished in many walks of life. Charles Good- 
year, the patentee and manufacturer of rubber wares, was a 
first cousin of the fourth minister of Ashburnham. Mr. 
Goodyear prepared for college under the tuition of Eev. 
Edward Hooker, D. D., and at Bacon Academy in Col- 
chester. He was graduated at Yale College 1824 and at the 
Theological Seminary in New Haven 1827. Ordained with- 
out charge July 22, 1828. Previous to his installation in 
this town he preached as stated supply at Gaines, New York, 
and at East Windsor, Connecticut. Upon his removal from 
this town after supplying nearly two years at Eenerville, 
New York, he was installed over churches in Truro, 1846-9, 



272 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

South Royalston, 1849-54 and Temple, New Hampshire, 
1854-65. Mr. Goodyear was a member of the New 
Hampshh'e Legislature 1865 and 1866. His last dismissal 
was at his earnest desire and on account of his failing health. 
He died in Temple, where he had continued to reside, 
November 18, 1884. 

After hearing two or more candidates, the church and 
parish united in a decision to hire Rev, Edwin Jennison for 
two years. This action was soon modified. A call was 
accepted and Mr. Jennison was installed May 12, 1842, or 
within six months after the dismissal of Mr. Goodyear, In 
the first year of this pastorate the church in North Ashburn- 
ham was organized to which twenty-five members of the 
church transferred their relations. Mr. Jennison entered 
upon his labors under favorable auspices. He was an 
acceptable preacher and was justly regarded as an earnest, 
devoted minister. His health soon failed, but with fading 
strength he continued his labor until the close of the fourth 
year. The relation was dissolved May 12, 1846, and from 
the record of the proceedings it appears that " The council 
reofard Mr. Jennison with high esteem and confidence as a 
worthy Christian brother, an able and faithful p .'eacher of 
the gospel and an afiectionate pastor." 

Rev. Edwin Jennison, a son of Major William and Phoebe 
(Field) Jennison, was born in Walpole, New Hampshire, 
August 26, 1805. He was graduated at Dartmouth College 
1827, and at Andover Theological Seminary 1830. Previous 
to his labors in this town Mr. Jennison had been settled over 
churches in Walpole, his native town, 1831-5, Mont Ver- 
non, New Hampshire, 1836-41. Subsequently he was in- 
stalled at Hopkinton, New Hampshire, January 6, 1847, and 
dismissed September 5, 1849. In each instance the relation 
was dissolved on account of his feeble health. For twenty- 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 273 

five years he lias been incapacitated from labor and has 
resided in Winchester, New Hampshire, and of late in Con- 
way, Massachusetts. 

The dismissal of ]\Ir. Jennison had been anticipated. His 
failing health had prepared his charge for the event and a 
successor was soon chosen. To Rev. Elnathan Davis a call 
was extended by the church May 25, which was ratified by 
the parish June 27, 1846. For some reason, not now 
apparent, the installation was deferred and in the mean time 
Mr. Davis continued to preach with unqualified acceptance. 
A council being convened early in September exception was 
taken to the views of the candidate on the doctrinal question 
of infant baptism. The solemnities were postponed. The 
council was recalled September 16, 1846, and recognizing 
the merit and ability of the candidate, and finding the church 
and society tenacious in their increasing desire to have the 
pastor of their choice settled over them, the installation was 
consummated. The minutes of the council are evidence that 
all the proceedings were conducted in a friendly spirit and 
that the only embarrassment was found in a difference of 
opinion on a single question of doctrine. 

Mr. Davis was a man of positive ideas and enduring con- 
victions. He was an able preacher and an active pastor. 
His labor was incessant, knowing every member of his flock 
he kindly and fldthfully ministered to them. The church 
and the parish were united, the social meetings were fully 
attended and the influences of this pastorate have been per- 
manent and salutary. In the dawn of many golden promises 
of a long and happy ministry, Mr. Davis was invited to 
attend the World's Peace Congress held in Paris in 1849. 
Knowing that this overture, if not refiised, would invite a 
continued connection with the American Peace Society and 
consequently lead to a dissolution of his relations to the 

18 



274 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

church and people of Ashburnham, he accepted the proffered 
mission with great reluctance. Soon after his return from 
Europe Mr. Davis became the secretary of the Peace Society 
and tendered his resignation as pastor of this church. He 
was formally dismissed May 21, 1851. 

Rev. Elnathan Davis, son of Ethan and Sarah (Hubbard) 
Davis, was born in Holden, August 19, 1807. Graduating 
at Williams College 1834, East Windsor (Connecticut) 
Theological Seminary 1836, he was ordained as an evangelist 
at Holden in November following. He labored in the cause 
of Home Missions several years in Indiana and Michigan. 
Returning to the East in 1845 he was settled in Ashburnham 
the following year. Later he was pastor of the Trinitarian 
church in Fitchburg fourteen years. In 1869 he was elected 
to the Legislature from the Fitchburg district and imme- 
diately after this service he removed to Auburn and preached 
there until 1879 and there resided until his death, April 9, 
1881. 

The seventh pastor was Rev. Frederick A. Fiske who was 
installed December 30, 1851. This was a brief pastorate. 
Mr. Fiske came at a season of inactivity in the church and 
indifference in the parish. If he did not mingle with the 
people with the brotherly and ready sympathy that attended 
the walk of Mr. Davis and Mr. Goodyear, he set before them 
the example of a well ordered life and conversation. In the 
pulpit he was unemotional but instructive ; earnest but never 
eloquent ; his sermons were carefully written but delivered 
with little animation. At the close of two years of labor he 
made a request for an increase of salary. It came, at an 
inopportune moment. The failure to accede to the request 
was chargeable more to the temporary condition of the parish 
than to the general impulses of the people. With fraternal 
sentiment on other points the relation was dissolved April 
17, 1854. 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 275 

Rev. Frederick Augustus Fiske, the son of the Eev. 
Elishrt and Margaret (Shepard) Fiske, was born in Wren- 
tham, Massachusetts, April 15, 1816, and was prepared for 
college at Day's Academy in his native town. After his 
graduation, he at once engaged in teaching; first as assistant 
in Washington Institute, New York city, then in Norwalk, 
Connecticut, next as principal of Monson Academy (1833-4) , 
later in Fall River, and finally as principal of the High School 
in Clinton. After taking the full course of three years at 
Yale Theological Semiuary (from 1847 to 1850), he entered 
upon the work of the ministry, being ordained pastor of this 
church. For about three years from November 16, 1854, 
he was pastor of the Congregational church in East Marsh- 
field, Massachusetts ; for the next eight years, principal of a 
boarding school in Newton ; from 1865 to 1868, Superin- 
tendent of Education for North Carolina, under the Freed- 
men's Bureau ; and from January 26, 1869, to November 28 
of the same year, pastor of the Congregational church in 
Raynham. The remaining years of his life were spent in the 
service of the Protestant Episcopal church, his ordination as 
a deacon occurring June 25, 1870, and as a priest, November 
5, 1870. From July, 1870, to May, 1873, he was rector of 
Trinity church. Van Deusenville ; from May, 1873, to 
September, 1876, rector of St. Paul's church, Brookfield, 
Connecticut ; from September, 1876, till his death, rector of 
Grace church, North Attleborough. He died December 15, 
1878. 

Mr. Fiske was succeeded by Rev. E. G. Little, who was 
installed August 22, 1855. This was a memorable pastorate. 
In the autumn of the first year Mr. Day, an evangelist, 
was joined with the pastor in a series of meetings which were 
fully attended. The visible fruit of their labor is found in 
the record of forty-two admissions to the church before the 



276 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

close of the year. Mr. Little was a diligent pastor. His 
sermons were wrought with care, logical in arrangement, 
sometimes glowing with the warmth of an ardent nature and 
always teaching the fundamental doctrines of his faith. His 
brief ministry in this town was terminated at his request 
May 13, 1857. 

Elbridge Gerry Little was born in Hampstead, New 
Hampshire, November 11, 1817. He was a son of Joseph 
and Rebecca (Webster) Little. At an early age he com- 
menced teaching. Mainly meeting the expenses of a liberal 
education by his own efforts, he fitted for college under the 
instruction of Prof. Benjamin Greenleaf of Bradford and 
entered the college of Nassau Hall at Princeton, New Jersey, 
in sophomore year, graduating in the class of 1845. He 
pursued a full course of study at Princeton Theological 
Seminary and was licensed to preach in April, 1848. His 
first charge was at Manayunk, Pennsylvania, a suburb of 
Philadelphia. Returning to New England in 1850, he was 
installed over the church in Merrimack, New Hampshire, in 
September of that year. After his dismissal from this 
church and after preaching a year or more in Middleborough 
he was installed over the church in that place April 13, 1859, 
and dismissed September 15, 1867. Mr. Little then removed 
to Wellesley where he was mainly engaged in secular and 
literary pursuits until his death which occurred December 
29, 1869. 

Succeeding Mr. Little, Rev. Thomas Boutelle supplied the 
pulpit nearly six years, from the spring of 1857 to January, 
1863 . His health was not firm and afforded so little assurance 
of continued service that a call was not extended. The friend- 
ly offices of an ecclesiastical council were not invoked and the 
neighboring churches were permitted a brief respite from 
attendance upon the accustomed solemnities in this place. 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 277 

Mr. Boutelle was greatly beloved. His sympathies were 
warm and constant, his friendship was enduring and his 
interest in the highest welfare of his charge was unabated. 
The memories of this pastorate are savory and imperishable. 
With generous impulses was joined the constant force of 
superior mental endowment guided by wisdom and prudence. 
Always instructive, sometimes eloquent, he was at once an 
able and a popular preacher. In 1862 he was elected to the 
Legislature from the Winchendon and Ashburnham district. 

Rev. Thomas Boutelle, son of James and Abigail (Fair- 
banks) Boutelle, was born in Leominster, February 1, 1805. 
He completed his preparatory studies at New Ipswich and 
entering Amherst College at the age of twenty years he was 
graduated in the class of 1829 and at Andover Theological 
Seminary 1832. After a short engagement with the Ameri- 
can Educational Society, he was ordained and installed over 
the Congregational church in Plymouth, May 21, 1834; 
dismissed March 23, 1837. His next charge was at Wood- 
stock, Connecticut, where he remained twelve years. From 
1850 to 1856 he labored at Bath, New Hampshire. At the 
close of his pastorate in this town he removed to Fitchburg 
and there conducted a bookstore, preaching occasionally as 
opportunity was offered. He died suddenly of heart disease 
November 28, 1866. 

The supply of Mr. Boutelle was succeeded by the settle- 
ment of Rev. George E. Fisher who was installed May 21, 
1863. It was a successful ministry. The church was 
united and increased in membership and the parish strength- 
ened. His sermons were thoughtful and instructive and his 
social relations were firmly supported by enduring friend- 
ship. In 1867 he represented the district in the Legislature. 
His request for a dismissal reluctantly granted by the church 
and parish was approved by a council convened Se})tember 
2, 1867. 



278 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Eev. George E. Fisher, son of Rev. George and Mary 
(Fiske) Fisher, was born in Harvard January 22, 1823. 
Pursuing his preparatory study under the tuition of his 
father and at the Lawrence Academy in Groton, he Avas 
graduated at Amherst College 1846, and at Andover Theo- 
logical Seminary 1849. He was successively settled over 
the church in Rutland February 27, 1850 ; the North church 
in Amherst September 16, 1852 ; the church in Mason 
Village (now Greenville), New Hampshire, June 22, 1859. 
Followinfi: his removal from this town Mr. Fisher was 
installed over the church in South Hadley Falls September 
2, 1867, and over the East church in Amherst December 10, 
1879, where he remains an active and successful pastor. 

Leaving Mr. Fisher, the ninth and last minister who 
received installation, the church and parish entered an era 
of supply as yet unbroken. The ministry has been con- 
tinuous and not without a character of stability. 

Rev. Mood}^ A. Stevens was employed three years com- 
mencing in 1867. During this period the meeting-house 
was thoroughly repaired and it is probalile the progress of 
his labor was considerably interrupted by the activities of 
the parish. He was a devoted man and he earnestly and 
faithfully labored for the highest good of his people. He was 
singularly free from ostentation, prudent in his methods and 
manifested a friendly interest in the welfare of his parish. 
Being a cultured musician he took a lively interest in church 
music and enlivened the social meetings with the spirit of 
song. His ministry was successful. 

Rev. Moody A. Stevens, son of David and Elizabeth 
(Ryder) Stevens, was born in Bedford, New Hampshire, 
February 7, 1828. He fitted for college at Phillips Acad- 
emy, Andover, and at Exeter, New Hampshire, and at 
twenty years of age he entered Dartmouth College. His 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 279 

health failed and he did not complete a course of study at 
that time. For seven years he made a thorough study of 
music and was a student and instructor in Boston and in 
St. Johns, New Brunswick. Subsequently he completed 
his academical studies at the University of New York and 
is a graduate of Union Theological Seminary. In 1861 
he was chaplain four months of the Second New York City 
Volunteers. He was ordained and installed over the church 
in Plymouth December 9, 1862. Since his labors in this 
town he has supplied at Anoka, Michigan, and at Minne- 
apolis, Minnesota, and is now temporarily residing in 
Boston. 

The following six years and until 1876 the pulpit was 
supplied by Kev. Leonard S. Parker. He is a man of 
stroni>: convictions but generous in all his relations to his 
fellow-men. A diligent pastor, a frequent visitor in the 
schools, a willing supporter of every laudable enterprise the 
pastorate is a record of labor and substantial results. The 
Gushing Academy was opened while Mr. Parker was 
preaching in this place. June 10, 1874, he was elected a 
trustee of that institution and is now in duration of service 
the fourth member of the board. 

Rev. Leonard S. Parker, son of William and Martha 
(Tenney) Parker, was born in Dunbarton, New Hampshire, 
December 6, 1812. He pursued his preparatory studies at 
the academies in Hampton and Hopkinton, New Hampshire, 
and at the Boston Latin School, and is a graduate of 
Dartmouth College and Oberlin Theological Seminary. In 
early life he enlisted in the anti-slavery movement, and his 
public efforts elicited the favorable notice of Giddings and 
other pioneers in the cause. He has been settled over 
churches in Mansfield, Ohio ; Providence, Rhode Island ; 
West Brookfield and Haverhill ; and Derry, New Hampshire. 



280 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Following his ministry in this town he supplied at Miller's 
Falls and Turner's Falls, preaching each Sabbath at 
churches four miles distant and having a class in each 
Sunday-school. At the commencement of these labors both 
were mission churches, but during the ministry of Mr. 
Parker both became self-supporting and erected houses of 
worship. At present Mr. Parker is acting pastor of the 
Congregational church in Berkley. 

Mr. Parker was immediately succeeded by Rev. Daniel E. 
Adams, who was acting pastor from July 16, 1876, to July 
5, 1885. In duration the ministry of Mr. Goodyear exceeds 
that of Mr. Adams by only a few Sabbaths ; and, except the 
prolonged ministry of Dr. Gushing, no other pastorate of 
this church has been continued an equal length of time. 
Assuming without hesitation the prerogatives of his sacred 
calling, Mr. Adams preached the whole truth but with a 
sincerity and kindness that provoked neither bitterness nor 
controversy. In his administration of the affairs of the 
church he pursued a pacific policy and his ministry was an 
era of concord and harmony. The memory of the fraternal 
relations continuously maintained in the church and parish is 
a living tribute to his judicious ministry in the pulpit and 
among the people. Of the one hundred and fifty funerals 
attended by Mr. Adams while in this town, the extreme age 
of two of the deceased is remarkable. The funeral of Mrs. 
Emma (Willard) Skelton, aged 103 years and 10 months, 
occurred November 7, 1881, and that of Golonel Charles 
Barrett, aged 97 years and 4 months, June 10, 1885. 

Rev. Daniel E. Adams, son of Rev. Darwin and Catherine 
(Smith) Adams, was born in Hollis, New Hampshire, June 
22, 1832. His grandfather was Daniel Adams, the author 
of Adams' Arithmetic and other popular school-books, and 
his mother was the daucfhter of Rev. Eli Smith of Hollis, 




i'T: 





ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 281 



c; T(^i'( ,'■ ■•;iii ]■ 



matter 



•sued hi 



•le pastorates and 






y oi rais iiuou. 



tkt! Jlitiru 



d, iisq., 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 281 

New Hampshire. Graduating at Bangor Theological Semi- 
nary 1860, Mr. Adams was ordained and installed over the 
Second Congregational church, AVilton, New Hampshire, 
December 5, 1860, and dismissed May 5, 1876. Since 
December 5, 1885, he has been acting pastor of the Pilgrim 
Cono-reoational church of Southboro.' 

During several of the intervals between the pastorates and 
when called upon by the sickness or absence of the stated 
supply. Rev. Josiah D. Crosby of this town has been a 
present help in every time of need. He supplied contin- 
uously during the absence of Mr. Davis in Europe and in 
the aggregate he has preached more Sabbaths than some of 
the pastors who have been in charge. Any record of the 
ministry of this church would be incomplete without a 
generous recos-nition of his willing service. His interest in 
the prosperity of the church and parish has been unfailing, 
and in matters of moment his advice frequently has been 
solicited and cheerfully given, and to the sick and the aged 
he has been an attentive friend. 

Rev. Josiah Davis Crosby, eldest son of Fitch and Rebecca 
(Davis) Crosby, was born in Ashburnham, March 1, 1807. 
He pursued his preparatory studies at New Ipswich Academy 
and under the tuition of Ephraim M. Cunningham, Esq., 
then a lawyer in Ashburnham. At the age of fifteen years, 
he entered Amherst College and not completing the course 
in that institution he entered senior year at Union College 
graduating in class of 1826. He studied theology at An- 
dover and was licensed to preach by the North AVorcester 
Association in 1830. October 4, 1837, he was installed 
colleague to the venerable Rev. Laban Ains worth over the 
church at Jaft'rey Centre, New Hampshire, and was dismissed 
May 18, 1845. He supplied at New Buffalo from October 1, 
1857, to July 1, 1858, and from September 1, 1861, to 
September 1, 1862. 



282 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Here at the close of one hundred and twenty-five years 
the record ends. Nine ministers have lieen installed over 
the church and five have supplied about twenty-five years. 
The ministry of Mr. Gushing was a continent of time and in 
comparison the shorter pastorates w^ere little islands in an 
adjacent sea. Yet each of them, influenced in some measure 
by its climate, has produced fruit in accordance with the 
tillage of the vineyard. The ministry has been continuous 
and in its character it has been able and substantial. If the 
pulpit has been graced by none who have electrified audiences 
and by the power of eloquence have swayed the passions of 
men, each in his sphere has been an acceptable preacher and, 
apparently, more concerned to secure the approval of his 
Master than the applause of men, has faithfully discharged 
his duty to the church and to the parish. 

The offices of the church in forming and moulding character 
and in its ministrations to the souls of men form a part of the 
unwritten history of another world. The visible results of 
the record aggregate the admission of one thousand and 
twenty-six to its membership, beside the few names that 
escaped record during the ministry of Mr. Winchester. Of 
these, four hundred and two have died in full relations 
and four hundred and forty have been dismissed, a few 
with censure but generally with recommendation to other 
churches. There have been convened sixteen ecclesiastical 
councils for the settlement and dismissal of ministers and 
only one in arbitration upon a proceeding of discipline, and 
this church has been invited to meet in nearly one hundred 
councils upon the affairs of other churches. 

Through all these years the church in Ashburnham has 
remained steadfast to its early principles, yet ready to accept 
the enlargement of its creed which has attended the progress 
of the age. In the succession of worshippers they have 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 



283 



borne the prayer and the praise of four generations. In 
blameless lives, in self-denial, in devotion and in courage 
they have honored the fathers who planted the vine in the 
wilderness. As a thousand tender memories warm the heart, 
the influence of their faith and devotion, as reflected in the 
record, will become the enduring inheritance of their suc- 
cessors. 

Since the organization of the church the following persons 
have officiated as deacons : 



Moses Foster, 


1760, 


resigned 1769, died Oct. 17, 1785. 


Samuel Fellows, 


1760, 


removed to Shelburne 1772. 


Tristram Cheney, 


1769, 


removed to Antrim, N. H., 1773. 


John Willard, 


1772, 


died July 4, 1793. 


Samuel Wilder, 


1773, 


died May 9, 1798. 


Peter Stone, 


1788, 


removed to Townsend 1799. 


Jacob Harris, 


1788, 


died in Windham, N. H., Sept. 26, 1826, 


Elisha White, 


1798, 


died June 14, 1817. 


Sherebiah Hunt, 


1798, 


died March 6, 1826. 


Samuel Ward, 


1817, 


resigned 1843. 


William J. Lawrence, 


1819, 


died July 8, 1844. 


Daniel Jones, 


1824, 


dismissed to Union Church 1843. 


John C. Glazier, 


1836, 


dismissed to Methodist Church, 1857. 


Amos Taylor, 


1843, 


removed to Ashby 1851. 


John A. Conn, 


1849, 


removed to Fitchburg 1865. 


William P. Ellis, 


1849, 


resigned 1862. 


Harvey Brooks, 


1862, 


removed to Gardner. 


David Laws, 


1865, 


removed to Worcester 1871. 


J. Newton Hastings, 


1870, 


resigned 1877. 


Charles E. Woodward 


, 1870, 


resigned 1877. 



Since 1877 the deacons have been elected for a limited 
term but are eligible to reelection. The new system com- 
prises the election of two deacons every other year for the 
term of four years. Under this arrangement the following 
persons have been chosen and are continued in office : 

J. Newton Hastings, 1877. 

Charles E. Woodward, 1877. 

Mortimer M. Stowe, 1877. 

George W. Eddy, 1883. 



CHAPTER IX. 

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. CONTINUED. 

THK FIRST MEKTING-HOUSE. VOTES CONCERNING THE EDIFICE. I'KWS 

CONSTRUCTED. THE TOWN AS A PARISH. THE SALARY OF MR. CUSH- 

ING. THE HURRICANE. THE SITE OF THE FIRST MEETING-HOUSE. 

THE SECOND MEETING-HOUSE. PROCEEDINGS 1791. PAINTING OF THE 

MEETING-HOUSE. TOLERATION. DISSOLUTION OF THE RELATIONS 

BETWEEN THE TOWN AND THE CHURCH. FIRST PARISH ORGANIZED. 

CONTENTION OVER THE MINISTERIAL FUND. THE THIRD MEETING- 
HOUSE. LOCATION. CONTINUED HISTORY. THE EDIFICE REMODELLED. 

THE PARSONAGE. 

Conspicuous in the annals of Ashburnham are the very 
early measures concerning the location and building of the 
first meeting-house. The worship of God in a stated form 
was a subject of earnest concern and solicitude. The "hill 
with a very fair prospect " was fitly chosen for the site of 
the temple in the forest. The work was not sufiered to 
sleep. At a date which excites no small measure of surprise 
and far in advance of other settlements a meetinij-house was 
built in 1739 or possibly very early in 1740. At a later 
period, the abandonment of the settlement and, owing to 
disturbance excited by continued war, the tardy return of 
the settlers did not permit its use for many years ; but the 
edifice inviting occupancy remained as a monument to the 
enterprise and faith of its l)uilders. True it was a long time 
before it was completed to the satisfaction of the proprietors, 
but through all the period of repairs and amendments it 

284 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 285 

could be used, and in the light of the times with some 
degi'ee of comfort. 

Rev. Dr. Gushing speaking midway between the event 
and the present has preserved the information that this was 
the lirst framed buildino; erected in Ashburnham and that 
it was raised by only sixteen men. It may be inferred that 
an event like the raising of a meeting-house invited the 
whole settlement to the scene of action. It is more proba- 
ble that some came from Lunenburg than that any settler 
remained at home. At this time the proprietors would not 
be sustained in the declaration that there were thirty men 
residing here. The vote of the proprietors instructing Mr. 
Mossman to nail up the windows and doors, and their com- 
mittal of this meeting-house in the wilderness to the care of 
Him in whose service it had been reared and its wonderful 
preservation during the French and Indian War, add new 
interest to its history. Reversing the traditions of the 
temple of Janus, whose gates were thrown open in time of 
war and only closed under the mild commands of peace, our 
fathers closed their temple in this season of danger and 
opened it not until the land was quieted and messages of a 
sweeter peace were spoken beneath its roof. The records 
relate the progress of the improvements made upon the 
building in the early years of its occupancy and convey 
impressions which would be lost if stated in other language : 

1752. Voted that all the windows saving the four lower windows 

in the south side of the meeting-house, which four win- 
dows are to be glazed, the others to be fully boarded up 
for the present. 

1753. Voted that a tax of ten shillings on each right lawful money 

be paid by the third Wednesday in May next towards 
finishing the meeting-house. 



286 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

1755. Voted that a tax of three shillings lawful money be laid on 
each right for doing something for the meeting-house to 
secure it from the weather. 

1759. Voted that Mr. Elisha Coolidge be appointed to bord up 
the window places in the meeting-house with rough 
bords to keep out the wet and to make window shuts for 
two of the windows that are most convenient to let in 
the light when there shall be preaching there. 

In 1760 a minister was settled and in commemoration of 
the event the sum of forty pounds, to which eight pounds 
was added the following year, amounting to more than the 
original cost of construction, was expended, and now for 
the first time was the house referred to as finished. 

Moses Foster, Caleb Wilder and Caleb Dana, one resi- 
dent and two non-resident proprietors, were chosen to 
conduct the repairs and assign the several pews to future 
owners. The work was substantially completed before July 
31, 1760, for at that time the committee report the assign- 
ment of a part of the pews. The ponderous pulpit of the 
past century was built upon the north side of the room, stairs 
were erected to the unfinished galleries and there were 
doors in the centre of the three remaining sides. On the out- 
side of the room, nineteen rectangular pews or enclosures, 
constructed after the custom of the time, occupied the spaces 
between the pulpit and the doors. Possibly there were 
two additional pews on the south side, making twenty-one 
in all. The central space surrounded by the pews was not 
occupied at this time. First west of the pulpit were the 
stairs, and next was the pew assigned to the ministry. The 
next was in the corner and was given to Caleb Wilder of 
Lancaster, and between that and the west door were the 
pews of Richard Dana and Moses Foster, Jr. The first pew 
south of the west door was assigned to Jeremiah Foster. 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 287 

Passing by four, possibly five pews not assigned, tlie first 
one west of the south door is given to Caleb Dana of Cam- 
bridge who then owned eight rights in the township. No 
other pews were then disposed of except the five which 
filled the space between the west door and the pulpit and 
these were given to Jonathan Samson, Jonathan Gates, 
John Moflfatt of Boston, Elisha Coolidge and Deacon Moses 
Foster. The pew of Mr. Moffatt was in the northwest 
corner and that of Deacon Foster was nearest the pulpit. 
The report of the committee, each of them having secured 
a good pew for himself, concludes with the remark, "the 
remaining pew ground we have not disposed of no other pro- 
prietors appearing whom we thought had the best right to 
pews there." This information explains the omission in their 
report of the names of James Coleman, Thomas Wheeler, 
John Bates, Wright Brown and other residents. 

The German settlers, a majority of whom were members 
of the church, and others living on the independent grants, 
not being proprietors, could only come into possession of 
pews by purchase from some proprietor to whom one had 
been assigned. Further proceedings of the proprietors 
were obstructed by the act of incorporation and in this 
condition the meeting-house was transferred to their legal 
successors. 

Assuming the powers and duties of a town, the inhabi- 
tants of Ashburnham in 1765 came into possession and 
control of the first meeting-house, and in accordance with 
the laws and usages of the times the town in its corporate 
capacity began to exercise the functions of a parish. In the 
settlement and dismissal of a minister the church had a con- 
current vote, but the control and repair of the meeting- 
house, the salary of the minister and all other parochial 
affairs were debated and determined in open toAvn meeting. 



288 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

The maintenance of the stated mhiistrations of the Gospel 
involved an outer and an inner organization ; the first em- 
braced all the citizens of the town, while the latter was 
limited to the membership of the church. If, in the present 
light, such relations appear inconsistent it should be remem- 
bered that the people generally were in full sympathy with 
the creed of the prevailing church and that few, if any, were 
unwilling to pay their proportion of the tax assessed upon 
all for the support of the ministry. Whatever opposition 
the system finally provoked in this town, no suggestion of 
discontent was heard for many years. The early records 
are a continued narrative of concord and harmony. Wijth 
unusual unanimity the people mourned the loss of their first 
pastor and joined in the selection and settlement of his 
successor. 

During the many years the town continued to discharge 
the offices of a parish the settlement of Mr. Gushing was the 
only occasion it was called upon to assume the bustle and 
parade incident to an ordination of the olden time. That 
the town realized the solemnity of the occasion and was fully 
equal to the emergency is fully demonstrated. First, they 
chose one of the deacons to preside over the town meeting 
at which the important preliminaries were arranged, and 
then graciously admitted all the freeholders to the privilege 
of voting on the pending questions. The records portray 
the gravity of these proceedings . 

y town Chose Mr. John Gushing to settle in y" ministry by a 
unanimous vote, also voted y' all y^ freeholders Should vote in 
sum y* they Should Give to y^ minister. Y^ town voted to give 
Mr. John Gushing one Hundred thirty-three Pounds, six shilhngs 
and Eight Pence for settlement to be Payd in money and Labour. 

It was eventually paid with great labor. After voting 
that the annual salary of Mr. Gushing should be sixty pounds 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 289 

and rtt the end of seven years it should be increased to 
sixty-six and two-thirds pounds, the town made choice of 
Samuel Wilder, Elisha Coolidge and Ephraim Stone to com- 
municate these propositions to Mr. Gushing. At a subse- 
quent meeting it Avas ordered "y* y® first Wednesday of 
november next Should be y" ordination" (November 2, 
1768). " Y*^ town voted to send to seven churches to y" ordi- 
nation." "Y^ town voted to. Give Gapt. Wilder four Pounds 
to Provide for y° Gounsel with this Proviso y* y"^ Gap*" Should 
Keep an exact acompt of y'' Gost and if y*^ town shall think 
y' he bears too big a Proportion y' they will Gonsider him." 

The town further stipulated that the salary should be paid 
annually and that one-fourth of the settlement should be 
paid in labor and directed that " Mr. Keperlinger and Mr. 
Ephraim Stone and William Joyner should be y'' Gommittee 
to see y' y° work be done as Mr. Gushing wants it." The 
financial problems being solved, there was remaining an 
article '^to Ghuse men to Keep y'^ Doors and Sects of y^ 
meeting-house till y'^ Ghurch and Gounsel have taken their 
Seets," and a committee was chosen to carry into effect this 
respectful impulse of the town. It is not a duty, however, 
to conceal the fact that a majority of the voters on this 
occasion were members of the church and consequently in 
this polite attention to the church and council they were 
tendering an acceptable compliment to themselves. 

The gratuity granted Mr. Gushing as a settlement in addi- 
tion to his stated salary was in conformity with the customs 
of the time. It will be remembered that by the conditions 
of the original charter of this township, a right of land was 
bestowed on the first settled minister and another reserved 
for the use of the ministry. While Mr. Gushing continued 
to enjoy the use of one reservation the other had been given 

unconditionally to Mr. Winchester. The conditions were 
19 



•290 HISTOKY OF ASHBUUNHAM. 

similar in other towns. The custom of granting settlements 
was designed to bestow on the successors the same degree of 
favor they had granted to the first settled minister. To pay 
the gratuity granted Mr. Gushing the town borrowed the 
greater part of Colonel Caleb Wilder of Lancaster and sub- 
sequently cancelled the debt by clearing land with labor 
which was accepted in payment of taxes. 

It is impossible to determine, what benefit Mr. Cushing 
received from the use of the ministerial lands. One lot was 
sold in 1794 and in consideration of his consent to the sale 
the town thereafter furnished him thirty cords of wood 
annually or paid an equivalent in money. It is worthy of 
note that during the long ministry of Mr. Cushing the 
annual salary proposed in 1768 was never changed. On 
one or more occasions an increase was ordered but the vote 
was reconsidered before another payment was made. At 
the close of the Revolution remuneration was made for the 
depreciated currency and later the payments were rendered 
in Federal money, but from the close of the first seven years 
to the end of his ministry the salary was neither lessened 
nor increased. The salary of Mr. Winchester was sixty 
pounds which was paid by the proprietors until the date of 
incorporation. The town assumed the original contract and 
continued to pay the same amount. 

Scarcely had the town succeeded to the control of affairs 
before a storm came and Ijeat upon the meeting-house. 
Contrary to cither scriptural precedent it neither stood nor 
fell. The gale in the summer of 1766 moved the building 
from its foundation but the injury was repaired. Eeferring 
to this event, Dr. Cushing states, "that in the summer of 
1766 a hurricane passed over this hill and made a wreck of 
the meeting-house, and moved it to the north and to the east 
two or three feet. It was thouoht at first that it could not 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 291 

be repaired l)ut it was and stood until 1791;" or in the 
language of Tristram Cheney, "The house of public worship 
has lately been struck by a hurricane and the cost to repair 
cannot be less than £30." The following year and about 
three months before the death of Mr. Winchester, Samuel 
Fellows, Tristram Cheney and Elisha Coolidge were in- 
structed to brace up the galleries and to repair the roof. A 
corner of a leaf of the records is gone and an account of these 
repairs is partially lost, but Jeremiah Foster, Jr., was paid 
four shillings and eight pence " for peeling the bark for the 
meeting-house," which probably was used in repairing the 
roof. The next repairs were under a vote to lay the floor 
in the front gallery, build a pair of stairs in the southwest 
corner and mend the glass. This was followed by an order 
in 1771, "to give Jacob Harris, Daniel Priest, Peter Joslin, 
Samuel Joslin, Oliver Wilder, Francis Dickerson and John 
Oberlock, Jr., the room in the front gallery, l)ehind the seats 
that are now built, to build a long pew on." At the same 
meeting a committee was appointed "to seat the meeting- 
house according to age and pay." 

In 1772, the meeting-house was underpinned in a sub- 
stantial manner and to keep pace with the increase in popu- 
lation additional accommodations were arranged in the un- 
occupied portions of the galleries. At this time the glass 
was set in the remainder of the windows and the following 
year it was decreed that " eight persons that will be at the 
cost of finishing ofl" the room behind the seats on the west 
side of the gallery may have it," and " likewise eight other 
persons may have the east side at the same rate." 

Notwithstanding these repeated measures "to finish the 
meeting-house," it is probable that even in the estimation of 
our fiithers it never was finished and that further work was 
delayed by the Revolution and later by the contemplation of 



-+ 



292 HISTORY OF ASill5UKNIlA.M. 

a new and more commodious house. In the condition set 
forth in the records and confirmed by tradition the town con- 
tinued to occupy it and to compensate in some measure the 
decay of years until near the close of the century. Beneath 
its unpretentious roof Mr. Winchester was accustomed to 
meet his flock and here Mr. Gushing expounded the doctrines 
of his faith during the first twenty-three years of his pro- 
longed ministry. Before its humble altar two hundred or 
more were admitted to the church and over six hundred 
children were presented for the ordinance of baptism. It is 
supposed that none are now living who ever entered within 
its primitive walls. It humbly served its day and generation 
and the first meeting-house in Ashburnham will ever remain 
a conspicuous figure in the annals of the settlement. Actu- 
ated by this sentiment, the town, in 1882, erected an appro- 
priate tablet on the ground where it stood, both as a memorial 
of the past and as an index directing future generations to a 
locality around which the earliest and most sacred memories 
of the town will linger with unfailing delight. The cere- 
monies occurred July 4, and an appropriate address was 
delivered by Melvin O. Adams, Esq. 

The inference is just and honorable to our fathers that a 
decision to remove the old house was not reached until the 
increasing wealth and population of the town demanded a 
more pretentious and commodious structure. How long or 
how earnestly the question of building a new meeting-house 
was debated, what arguments were presented on either side, 
with what reverence they regarded the old, or with what 
anticipations they contemplated a new house, cannot now be 
determined. The decision was not reached without serious 
conference and debate among individuals, but so far as the 
town is concerned, the decisive blow was struck without a 
note of warning or any bustle of preparation. A warrant 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 293" 

for ti town meeting issued October 16, 1789, contains the 
first reference to the subject. It was then proposed "to see 
if the town are willing to build a new Meeting House and to 
pass such votes as shall be necessary for that purpose, viz. : 
to agree upon a spot of land to set said House and to choose 
Committees that may appear to be necessary to carry on the 
work." The meeting was assembled October 30 and the 
record proceeds : " The question being put whether the Town 
are willing to build a new meeting-house and it passed in the 
affirmative. Also voted to set the new house as near the 
other meeting-house as may be and not to place it on the 
same ground. Also voted to choose a committee of seven 
persons to make a draft of a meeting-house and chose Mr. 
Caleb Kendall, Mr. Samuel Foster, Lieut. Munroe, Samuel 
Wilder, Col. Lane, Mr. Joseph Whitmore and Lieut, John 
Adams for said committee and then said meeting was 
adjourned to the 6th day of November next." This com- 
mittee is charged with grave responsibilities. To present a 
single plan that would be accepted by a majority of their 
townsmen is no ordinary undertaking. 

While they are studying the models found in the older 
towns, we are left at liberty to notice the measure of respect 
shown them in prefixing titles to their names. With one 
exception all are honored with a title, and in the solitary 
omission Samuel Wilder modestly announces that he was the 
clerk who made the record. Formerly, the law of usage in 
regard to civic, military and ecclesiastical titles was inex- 
orable. Whenever an individual was advanced from the 
plane of mediocrity to the honors of a deacon, a justice or 
military command, his name was subsequently spoken and 
written in connection with the distinijuishino; title which 
announced the rank and new importance of the individual. 
Samuel Wilder was a captain and a deacon but he was never 
styled Captain Wilder after he had reached the honors of a 



294 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

deacon ; but when he was commissioned a justice of the 
peace, Esquire Wikier rose in triumph over his former self. 
The folloAving scholiums are apparent. In the former em- 
ployment of titles many nice discriminations were made. A 
deacon was next in honor and importance above a captain, 
while an esquire easily ranked both the deacon and the 
captain and even contested honors with the major and the 
colonel. 

The town being asseml^led according to adjournment a 
matured plan was presented for the consideration of the 
town : 

The Committee chosen the 30"' of October last have made the 
following draft of a meeting-house viz : that said House be sixty 
feet in length and fort3'-five feet in width, twenty-six feet between 
joints with two porches and a cover over the front door ; with an 
elder's seat for people who are hard of hearing between the 
deacons seat and the pulpit ; 70 Pewes : 46 below and twenty-four 
above. The Pewes to be sold at Vendue to the highest bidder. 
Boards and Shingles and Clapboards to be got in the same way. 
The Committee propose to begin to fraim the house on the 20"^ 
of May in the year of our Lord 1791. The question was then 
asked whether the report should be accepted and it passed in the 
affirmative. It was then voted to choose nine men to be a com- 
mittee to direct the building of the new meeting-house. Also 
voted to set the new meeting-house back so far as the burying 
yard wall and that the east end of the house be placed six feet 
east of the west end of the old house. 

The length of both meeting-houses extended from east to 
west. The new house was a short distance north of the old 
and extended westerly tifty-four feet beyond it. There is no 
record of the choice of the committee of nine ordered by the 
town, but incidental references to the progress of the work, 
under the direction of a building committee, render it 
certain that such a committee was chosen. And at a subse- 
quent meeting it was " voted to dismiss the old committee 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY, 



295 



for l)uilding the iiieeting-housc and chose Samuel Wilder, 
Joshua Smith, Esq., and Samuel Foster a committee to 
com})leat the work." 




The new committee vigorously forwarded the work. The 
frame was raised May 24 and the house was com[)leted 
Novemljer 4, 1791. Three days later the town accepted the 
linal report of the committee, and the new meeting-house 
was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies on the tenth of 
the same month. In anticipation of the completion of the 
house the pews were sold and the proceeds of the sale was 
applied to the cost of construction. The records alFord very 
little information concerning the cost of the house. The 
town appropriated in all one hundred and sixty pounds, and 
added to this sum the amount received from the sale of the 
old house which was torn down in October. It is therefore 
apparent that the greater part of the cost of the new meeting- 
house was paid with money received from the sale of the 
pews. 



296 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

In 1808, the town paid Jacob Fairbanks for building four 
additional pews on the ground floor. These were sold at 
auction for the sum of three hundred and ninety-two dollars. 
The proceeds of this sale was the origin of the pew notes 
which became a bone of contention between the town and 
the parish. 

To paint the new meeting-house in becoming color next 
demanded the attention and united wisdom of the town. 
Every citizen was privileged to vote and it was the concur- 
rent taste of the town that "the color should be a pea green." 
The meeting was assembled at a season of the yeav when the 
vernal sun first begins to warm the brown and russet fields 
which gayly respond with the springing blade and bursting 
leaf, and in warm sympathy with nature as she paints the 
earth in the fresh liveries of green, the town produces it& 
first poem. For some reason there was a delay in canying 
the vote into eftect. At a meeting assembled March 2, 1798, 
having escaped an inspiration to copy the yellow of the 
harvest or the crimson and gold of the autumn, and behold- 
ing the earth covered with the snow and ice of winter, they 
consistently resolve to reconsider the former vote and to 
paint the meeting-house white. 

The town continued in the faithful performance of the 
auxiliary offices of a parish until 1824. The causes which 
led to the dissolution of the long established relations between 
the town and the church are apparent. The system was not 
in harmony with the spirit of our Government. In the dual 
organization, the members of the church and those in full 
sympathy with them M^ere a majority of the town, and by 
their controlling voice the minority were annually taxed 
under a continued protest. The spirit of tolerance some- 
times abated a resisted tax, but it presented no argument in 
support of the general principles involved. Indeed, the 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 297 

majority, conscious of the injustice of the system, secured 
its continuance many years by the exercise of a commend- 
able degree of tolerance to those who stoutly resisted, yet 
excusing the act in a plea of the sacred use to which the 
money was devoted, they exacted tribute from all who only 
passively objected. Like every revolution of a system the 
beginning was remote from the end and early efforts produced 
no immediate effect. Manifestations of discontent and the 
responsive answers of a spirit of tolerance gradually led to 
the abatement of so considerable a part of the taxes assessed 
that the system was practically overthrown some years before 
the outward forms were abandoned. During the last year 
of this nominal connection, warrants for town meetings for 
the transaction of parochial business were addressed to all 
the inhabitants qualified to vote who are members of the 
Congregational society. The town clerk attended these 
meetings and recorded the proceedings in the town records. 
Under this amended system, the town only assessed those 
for the support of the parish whose consent was first obtained. 
This procedure virtually created a voluntary parish for which 
the town was only an agent and in such capacity continued 
to call meetings and to assess and collect the annual taxes. 
In principle it was an amendment on the former system, con- 
taining the germ which speedily developed in the organization 
of a permanent religious society. 

Among the many votes of the town expressive of pul)lic 
sentiment on the subject of the preceding paragraph is an 
order adopted in 1781 that Jacob Willard, Jacob Kiblinger, 
John Kiblinger, Nathan Bigelow, Jacob Constantine, Joshua 
Holden, Elisha Coolidge, Ebenezer Conant, Jr., and Jonathan 
Taylor be excused from the payment of a minister tax for 
that year. In 1797 Colonel Francis Lane was excused from 
the payment of the same tax. Immediately after the com- 



298 HISTORY OF ASHBURXHAM. 

pletion of the second meeting-house, in response to the 
request of certain individuals, the town "Voted that the 
Baptist Society have leave to meet in the new meeting-house 
on week days for religious worship by applying to the door- 
keeper for the keys. Also when it shall so happen that the 
Church and Congregation usually meeting in said house are 
destitute of a preacher and do not want to use said house on 
the Sabbath that said Baptist Society shall have leave to 
meet in said house." Encouraged by this proceeding the 
town was requested "to abate the minister tax laid on the 
non-resident lands owned by the Baptists." Upon this 
proposition the town voted in the negative. The linal paro- 
chial service of the town occurred in 1823 and 1824. The 
town assumed the expenses of the funeral of Rev. Dr. 
Cushing amounting to $65.45, and continued the salary until 
the following November. It also joined with the church in 
extending a call to Rev. George Perkins and directed the 
arrangements for his ordination. These offices at the eve of 
a dissolution of the relations between the town and the church 
were a fitting conclusion of a continued and honorable service. 
So far as the town was concerned, the only remaining topics 
of a kindred nature were the custody of the meeting-house 
and the control of the ministerial funds. The debate on 
these points between the town and the Congregational society 
can be presented more clearly after the other party to the 
controversy has been introduced. 

The causes which suggested the organization of an inde- 
pendent parish consecutively follow those which led to the 
termination of the former relations. In the early history ot 
the town nearly all the inhabitants were united in matters of 
religion and they adopted the readiest and most feasible 
method of sustaining public worship. The removal into 
town of families of other denominations and the alienation 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 299 

of as many from the standing church and particularly the 
rapid growth of the Methodist society, and the bolder inde- 
pendence of those who adhered to neither the Orthodox, 
Methodist, Baptist nor any other creed, made it clearly 
apparent that every denomination should assume the control 
and management of its prudential affairs. The expediency 
of such an organization was seriously debated during the last 
years of the ministry of Dr. Gushing. Indeed, an association 
at that time was formed but " The Congregational Society or 
First Parish" did not have a legal existence until April 27, 
1824, a short time after the settlement of Rev. George 
Perkins. At that date the society assumed the offices of a 
parish and has continued an efficient ally of the church with 
which it has been connected until the present time. The 
petition for a meeting of organization, dated April 8, 1824, 
was signed by Ivers Jewett, Oliver Marble, Gharles Barrett, 
Elisha White, Fitch Grosby, Asa Woods, Grover Scollay, 
Joshua Townsend, Abraham Lowe, Joseph Rice and Dod- 
dridge Gushing. That eighty-one or more members were 
present at the first meeting is shown by a statement in the 
records that "the whole number of votes for a clerk of the 
parish was 81 and all for Gharles Barrett." At the same 
meeting over which Timothy Stearns was called to preside, 
Joseph Jewett, Esq., Elias Lane and Walter Russell were 
selected for assessors. The duties of this office were more 
onerous than the term suggests. In addition to the assess- 
ment of taxes the assessors were expected to oversee all the 
prudential concerns of the society. At this meeting the sum 
of four hundred and fifty dollars was raised to pay the salary 
of the minister and by the following vote the unsettled 
questions with the town were introduced. "Voted that the 
assessors be a committee to look up the funds of the society 
laying in the hands of the selectmen." 



300 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

This fund consisted of certain money and credits derived 
from the sale of the ministerial lands and tlie residue of the 
sale of the pews in the second meeting-house. This action 
of the society explains in a measure a vote of the town on the 
first day of November " to choose a committee of four to join 
with the selectmen to meet with the committee of the Con- 
gregational Society or First Parish to regulate the ministerial 
funds and the pew notes if they belong to said society and 
give them up to said society. Chose George E. Cushing, 
Dr. Abraham Lowe, Oliver Samson & Capt. John Willard. 
Voted to choose two more men to add to the committee and 
chose Joseph Jewett and Ivers Jewett." The selectmen for 
the time being were Silas Willard, Hezekiah Corey and 
John Adams, Jr. 

This was an able committee and it represented both sides 
of the pending question. Mr. Cushing, Dr. Lowe, Joseph 
and Ivers Jewett were active members of the ConsTea'ational 
society, while Silas Willard, John Willard, Mr. Samson and 
Mr. Corey were equally prominent in the Methodist society. 
John Adams, Jr., held the balance of power in case the 
deliberations of the committee were influenced by selfish 
motives or denominational proclivities. It was undoubtedly 
at the suggestion of members of the Congregational society 
that the Jewetts were added to the committee in order to 
secure a stronger representation in its councils. The result 
of their deliberations was laid before the town at a meeting 
assembled April 4, 1825, in the following report: 

The committee chosen at the town meeting ou the first clay of 
November last for the purpose of making a division of the minis- 
terial fund and property belonging to the first parish met at Jewett 
& Woods' store, and beg leave to report viz : chose I. Jewett 
clerk. 

2'^ On motion voted that all votes passed by said committee 
be laid before the town at their next annual March meetins:. 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 301 

3'' Voted that the First Parish iu said town of Ashburnham 
shall draw the interest of the Pew Notes. 

4"* Voted that the said First Parish shall draw the interest of 
one half of the ministerial and school funds. 

5"' Voted that the clerk and chairman sign the above report. 

CTT AC ^irTT T A r> T^ \ Chairman of 
SILAS WILLARD, > ,, ^, ... 

) the Committee. 

I. Jewett, Clerk. 

To the school fund the parish laid no claim and it is prob- 
able through careless methods iu the conduct of town busi- 
ness it had been united so long with tKe ministerial fund 
that the identit}" of each was lost. Since the two funds were 
derived from the sale of equal parcels of land, neither would 
greatly exceed the other in value. It appears to have been 
the intention of the committee to reserve the interest of the 
school fund for the town and to bestow the interest of the 
ministerial fund on the parish. To these recommendations 
the town was not favorably inclined and refused to adopt 
any of the votes suggested by the committee. In the mean 
time the following petition had been presented to the select- 
men and a town meeting had been called to consider the 
same questions in another form. 

To the Gentlemen, Selectmen of the town of Ashburnham: 

We the undersigned inhabitants of the said town request you to 
insert an article in your next March meeting warrant " To see if 
the town will give up to the Congregational Society or First Parish 
in said town the ministerial fund belonging to said parish it being 
for what the ministerial land was sold for, Also the notes that are 
in the Treasury which were given for pews sold in the meeting- 
house belonging to said Society or Parish with the interest on the 
aforesaid notes for one year last past." 



302 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

AsnauRNHAM, Feb. 12, 1825. 

Joseph Jewett 
Abraham T. Lowe 
David Gushing 
D. Gushing 
Oliver Green 
Jonas Nutting 
Grant Houston 
John Caldwell 

An article was duly inserted in the warrant and a decision 
was finally reached : 

Voted to give the ministerial fund and the pew notes to the First 
Parish in said town of Ashburnham agreeable to the request of 
Joseph Jewett aud others and the selectmen are required to give 
orders accordingly . 

In pursuance of this liberal course on the part of the town 
the funds were transferred to the custody and possession of 
the Congregational society. For ten years the decision was 
accepted as hnal and so far as evidence is found it was 
generally regarded as just and proper. From what motive 
the question was opened and the controversy renewed would 
be ditEcult to determine. In a warrant for the annual meet- 
ing in 1835 the heralds declare that the armistice is ended 
and the contestants who have rested on their arms for a 
decade are again summoned to renewed hostilities. 

To see if the town will reconsider the vote that was passed in 
1825 ; the town then voting that the pew notes and other property 
in -fund, originally belonging to the town, into the hands of the 
clerk or treasurer of the First Parish and also to choose a com- 
mittee to examine into all those funds and to see what part thereof 
rightfully belongs to the first parish and have the other put right. 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 303 

On the first clause, the town took no action but chose a 
committee of five to make the specified examination. This 
committee consisted of George R. Gushing, Charles Hast- 
ings, Jr., Dr. Nathaniel Pierce, Silas Willard and Ebenezer 
Frost. Mr. Gushing was the only earnest friend of the 
parish and he refused to join with the others in the follow- 
ing report : 

Your committee, chosen at the March meeting to investigate the 
state of the funds arising from the sale of school and ministr}- 
lands and other property &c, have attended to that duty and ask 
leave to report. Your committee find by the Proprietors Book of 
Records that the tract of land now called Ashburnham was granted 
to sixty soldiers or individuals or their heirs who served in the 
Canada Expedition as a bounty for their services by the General 
Court of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, and said Court in 
their grant reserved lots of land viz : one to the first settled 
Minister, one for the Ministry, one for the school ; and the sixty 
Proprietors of the Township six miles square then called Dor- 
chester Canada, gave one lot in each division (as it appears they 
made four divisions) it being four lots in all for the Minister, four 
for the Ministry and four for the school with Equivalents. Also 
the Proprietors granted one lot of ten acres where the meeting- 
house stands, provided the town build and keep a house thereon 
for Public Worship. The lots granted to the first settled minister 
seem to have been disposed of by the Rev. Mr. Winchester. Your 
committee find by the records that the town voted and chose agents 
to sell the public lands and we find by the records that some of 
the Ministry and School lots were sold and the interest applied in 
buying the Rev. Mr. Cushing's fire wood, and the said funds have 
ever since, except a small part, been retained in the hands of 
agents or persons then belonging to the first parish but have since 
alienated themselves from the old meeting-house Elsewhere for 
public worship and they have seized upon the school fund or a 
part thereof contrary to any vote of said town and carried it away 
with them. Therefore your committee, after due consideration, 



304 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

resolves that the town pass a vote to return the funds that was 
given to said town for the use of the ministry to the hands of the 
town treasurer, there to remain a fund according to the appi'opria- 
tion. Resolved as we find by records and a parchment plan of 
said town, that the common land that has been sold and deeded 
for ministry land the amount of such should be returned to the 
treasury for its proper use. Resolved that as the town sold Pews 
in the old meeting-house on conditions that the amount they sold 
for should be funded and the interest of said fund be appropriated 
to repair the meeting-house, that the principal with the interest be 
returned to the treasury to be kept for that purpose. Resolved 
that those members or agents that have alienated from the old 
meeting-house elsewhere for public worship deliver to the hands of 
the town treasurer the amount of monies that accrued from the 
sale of school lands with the interest that it may be applied 
agreeable to the appropriation. Resolved that the town pass a 
vote and agree with some person residing near said meeting-house 
to take and keep the key of said house so that the Baptists may 
occupy the same for Religious Worship agreeable to a vote of 
said town. 

Should the agents or members, belonging formerly to the first 
parish or old meeting-house, but have since alienated themselves 
with monies or property belonging thereto, refuse to compl}^ with 
these terms. 

Resolved that the town pass a vote authorizing the committee 
or agents to prosecute forthwith to final judgment. 



CHARLES HASTINGS, Jr., 
SILAS WILLARD, 
NATHANIEL PIERCE, 
EBENEZER FROST, 



Committee 

of 
said Town. 



May 4, 1835. 



The report was accepted but none of the recommendations 
were adopted. The town clerk found employment in its 
entry upon the records but no other result ensued. How- 
ever, the general issue, which was crushed beneath the 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 305 

weight of this ponderous report, was referred to Charles 
Stearns, Asahel Corey and Kilburn Harwood, with instruc- 
tions to meet a like committee of the Congi-egational society 
" with the view to ascertain more fully the rights of the 
town and parish in said funds." 

An early report from this committee was also accepted 
but no trace of its recommendations has been found. At 
the succeeding meeting the town " voted to accept of the 
ministerial fund," but through a failure of the society to 
pass a responsive vote to give it up, the vote at once ex- 
pressed the willingness and the inability of the town to 
secure it. Through the last stage of the controversy the 
society had the advantage of possession and during the pro- 
longed demonstrations of the town they continued to fortify 
their position with a dignified silence. At other times the 
subject was debated in town meeting, but the remaining 
votes of the town were only repetitions of those that have 
been noticed. If any one desires to learn more of this 
dispute between the worthies of the town and the officers of 
the parish he may fan the embers of the controversy found 
in another chapter in connection with an account of the 
removal of the second meeting-house to its present location. 

In 1832 the Methodist society completed its fi^rst house 
of worship in the village. Actuated we trust more from a 
spirit of emulation than of rivalry, the First Parish began to 
consider the expediency of removing its house from the old 
common to the centre of the village, and to rebuild the 
interior after a more modern plan. No sooner was the 
project proposed than a decided opposition was developed. 
The owners of the pews in the old house demanded pay- 
ment for their property interest, and the town asserting an 
undefined control of the house frowned upon the society 
in the pretence of any right to remove it or to exercise 

20 



306 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

any control over it beyond its accustomed use where it 
stood. And the ftict that the town had no clear idea of its 
own authority in the premises, left it free to assert any pre- 
tension and to oppose the society at every point. Foresee- 
ing the difficulties that would attend any other course of 
proceeding, the society early and wisely decided to build a 
new house and subsequently to surrender the old house and 
the pending demands of the pew owners to the town. 

In September, 1832, the society postponed but did not 
abandon the enterprise, and while the intentions of the parish 
were beginning to ripen into an early execution a voluntary 
association of its members proposed to build the house on 
their own responsibility. It only remained for the society 
as an organization to grant the gentlemen leave to proceed 
and to select a location for the new meeting-house. In 
February, 1833, the following propositions were adopted : 

Voted that certain individuals who are disposed may build a 
new meeting-house agreeable to their propositioa which is that 
the expense of building be divided into twenty shares and after 
the house is completed to sell or let the pews as they have oppor- 
tunity. 

Voted to choose a committee of five to select a suitable location 
for said meeting-house and chose 

George G. Parker,' 

Samuel Ward, 

John Caldwell, ) Committee. 

Hosea Green, 

John C. Glazier, 

Voted to adjourn for one week from this day at one o'clock in 
the afternoon. 

Feb. 11, met according to adjournment, the committee presented 
their report which was read. 

Voted that the meeting-house may be built on either of the two 




FIR3T CONQREQATIONAL CHURCH. 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 307 

lots — Sawyer's or the one George R. Gushing proposes. The 
Sawyer lot was selected. 

Other locations were considered by the committee but 
were not embraced in their report. One of these was on 
the opposite side of Main street ; another a short distance 
south of the Powder House ; another at the junction of the 
road from North Ashburnham and Main street ; and another 
where the barn of Nathaniel Pierce now stands. The 
amount paid Mr. Sawyer for the lot was two hundred 
and twenty-five dollars. The addition to the lot on the 
north was presented in 18G9 by Colonel Charles Barrett. 
The names of the persons who assumed the responsibility 
and proceeded to build the meeting-house do not appear in 
the records. The twenty shares were taken as follows : 
Thomas Hobart, two shares ; Reuben Townsend, Charles 
Barrett, Ebenezer Flint, George G. Parker, Dr. William 
H. Cutler, Joseph Jewett, Harvey M. Bancroft, Philip R. 
Merriam, Philip R. Merriam, Jr., Harvey Brooks, Elijah 
Brooks, Samuel Woods, Samuel S. Stevens, Joel Brooks, 
Horatio J. Holbrook, Hosea Green, Levi Rice, Edmund 
Sawyer, one share each. 

Under the direction of this efficient organization the present 
meeting-house was begun in the summer of 1833 and speedily 
completed. It was dedicated February 19, 1834. The 
cost of construction exceeded the amount received from 
the sale of the pews, but the loss was sustained by the 
organization that had volunteered to build the house. The 
heavy, clear-toned bell which still hangs in the belfry was 
purchased by subscription in January, 1834, at an expense 
of five hundred and seventeen dollars. 

The new meeting-house being completed, and the former 
entangling alliances with the town dissolved, the parish 



308 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

entered upon an era of concord and quietude. Occasionally 
called upon to join with the church in the dismissal or settle- 
ment of a minister, its chief and successful employment has 
been to raise money for the payment of current expenses. 
At times the money has been secured with difficulty but the 
parish, by a conciliatory policy and by consulting its mem- 
bers in regard to methods of taxation and voluntary sub- 
scriptions,, has met its obligations and has seldom suffered 
its fortunes to be dimmed by the cloud of debt. Through 
the indifference of many the burden has rested more heavil}' 
upon others, yet at all times a reliant purpose has met every 
obstacle and overcome every difficulty. During the past 
sixty years the salary paid the minister has been increased 
from time to time from four hundred and fifty to twelve 
hundred dollars. 

The meeting-house was thoroughly remodelled in 1869. 
After an ineflectual discussion of many plans and several 
inoperative votes of the parish a number of gentlemen gen- 
erously volunteered to become responsible for the expense 
of relDuilding the hoiise. The repairs were immediately 
made under the direction of Ohio Whitney, Jr., William P. 
Ellis, Jerome W. Foster, George C. Winchester and Addi- 
son A. Walker. The amount expended was about thirteen 
thousand dollars. The deficit, after the sale of the pews, 
was assumed and soon paid by the parish. At this time 
a superior pipe organ was purchased by subscription. The 
parsonage was purchased in 1864, and in it are invested the 
ministerial fund received from the towui and the legacy of 
Mrs. Lucy Davis. 



CHAPTER X. 

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. CONTINUED. 

THE METHODISTS. — the field and the situation. — the early 

PREACHERS. THE FIRST MEETING-HOUSE. THE SECOND MEETING- 
HOUSE. THE MINISTERS. 

THE UNION CHURCH. — the elements collected. — the meeting- 
house. A CHURCH EMBODIED. THE EARLY PREACHERS. — ELDER 

EDWARD A. ROLLINS. REV. A. A. WHITMORE. TEMPORARY SUP- 
PLIES. — REV. DANIEL AVIGHT. THE PARISH. PERSONAL NOTICES. 

THE DEACONS. 

THE BAPTISTS. — preachers without pay. — Stephen gibson. — dis- 
integration. 
ADVENTISTS. — their belief. — no church organization. 
THE CATHOLICS. — first services in this town. — purchase a 

meeting-house. — rev. JOHN CONWAY. 

Methodist Churches were organized in many of the 

towns in this vicinity in rapid succession. It was during 

the last decade of the past century. In its outline features 

the history of the introduction of Methodism and of the 

growth and progress of the churches planted by the early 

preachers is the same throughout New England. Until the 

arrival of the pioneer preachers of a new faith, in every town 

there was one church of the standing order which, founded 

soon after the settlement of the town, had remained the sole 

occupant of the field. Over each of these churches the 

" learned orthodox minister " was settled for life and labored 

without a rival. The orthodox minister of the olden time 

was an earnest and solemn laborer, austere in manner, 

309 



310 HISTORY OF ASHBURNIIAM. 

dignitied in bearing ; ftiithful and diligent as a pastor he 
labored for his people with singleness of purpose. With 
formal precision he visited the sick and comforted the 
mourner in learned phrases. His counsel was the voice of 
wisdom, while his sympathies were congealed in the solem- 
nity of his presence. Standing half way between God and 
man, therfe was a fixedness about him that invited the rever- 
ence and commanded the homage of the people. His 
sermons, logically arranged, were earnest and solemn 
appeals to the reason of his hearers. From the lofty pulpit 
of the olden time he maintained his accustomed eminence 
among his flock and through the week he walked in even 
lines above them. They respected him, addressed him, 
thought of him with reverence, and if any loved him they 
loved him with an admixture of awe that suffered no passage 
of the gulf that separated the minister from the hearts of the 
people. If neither the example of his life nor the spirit of 
his discourse invoked the emotions or aroused the sudden 
impulse, he moulded and solidified the character and per- 
suaded men to live under the guidance of principle and a 
rational sense of duty. 

The minister of that day is a character prominent and still 
honored in the annals and traditions of the past. In the 
midst of his supremacy came the pioneer preacher of 
Methodism. These heralds of a new creed announced their 
message with plainness of speech and simplicity of manner. 
Their early success sprang more from the manner of the 
man than from the matter of their discourse. They lived 
among the people and when not engaged in exhortation they 
conversed and mingled with them. They neither spoke from 
pvilpits nor held themselves aloof from their fellow-men. 
They preached in dwellings, in barns and in the groves. 
While preaching they stood on a level with their hearers. 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 31 1 

Wisely assuming that the clergy of the standing order had 
faithfully instructed the masses and inculcated among them a 
general knowledge of the Christian religion they asserted 
the tenets peculiar to their sect. If they appealed to the 
emotions of men they satisfied a hunger of the soul that the 
teachings of the older school could not appease ; and if they 
became earnest and impassioned in manner they felt a 
responsive echo in the worship of the multitude. 

With such labor and under such conditions the early 
Methodist preachers found adherents in every community. 
They rapidly planted churches and confiding them to the 
self-sustaining influences of the class-meeting they passed on 
to new fields and to renewed conquests. Over these infant 
churches a preacher was not assigned for a stated time. 
Indeed the earlier preachers were not fixed in their fields of 
labor, but were transferred so rapidly from one station to 
another that we gain but glimpses of their approaching or 
retiring presence. When assembled for worship, mysteri- 
ously there came a minister to preach to them ; from whence 
he came, or where he went, or the name of the roving 
preacher, is difficult to determine. 

The introduction of Methodism into Ashburnham in method 
and in the attending conditions was similar to the general 
work and success of the youthful church throughout the 
country. In a historical discourse delivered at Ashburnham 
July 9, 1882, Rev. Stephen Gushing has succinctly stated the 
prominent events connected with its growth and progress. 
To that discourse is credited many of the events in the 
following paragraphs. Within five years from the introduc- 
tion of Methodism into New England, Rev. John Hill 
preached the first Methodist sermon at the house of Lemuel 
Stimson in the north part of the town. This was in the 
autumn of 1793. Early in the following year a society of 



312 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

eight members was constituted and soon meetings began to 
be held with considerable regularity at the house of Silas 
Willard, Esq. In the autumn of 1796 Lorenzo Dow 
preached to the infant society in this town. This famous 
preacher was then nineteen years of age. The following 
extract from his journal refers to this occasion : " October 
23, 1796, 1 spoke in Hard wick to about four hundred people ; 
thence to Petersham and Winchendon, to Fitchburgh and 
likewise to Notown where God gave me one spiritual child. 
Thence to Ashburnham, where we had some powerful times. '^ 

In 1800 a quarterly meeting attended by Rev. John Broad- 
head, a presiding elder, was held in the town. At this time 
the church embraced a membership of fifty or more. Three 
years later Bishops Asbury and Whatcoat preached at the 
house of Mr, Willard by whom they were entertained. 
Preaching was maintained in the north part of the town and 
a society with increasing numbers was in existence thirty- 
eight years. The preachers were frequently transferred to 
other fields in the intervals between the formal assiijnments 
by the Conference. From the records of such appointments 
and transfers it is found that during this time sixty-five 
preachers had been designated for Ashburnham and depend- 
ent societies. A society was organized in Westminster in 
1814 and a few families in the south part of the town were 
included in its membership. 

In 1831 the Ashburnham and Westminster societies were 
made a station and a pastor assigned them. This arrange- 
ment was of short duration and only one appointment, that 
of Rev. Nathan B. Spaulding, was made. The following year 
the Ashburnham society, having proposed to build a meeting- 
house at the centre of the town, was made a station and 
has continued to the present tima an independent organiza- 
tion. It was during the year of the union with the West- 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 313 

minster society, and perhaps suggested by the inconvenience 
of that arrangement, that active measures for building a 
meeting-house were proposed and favorably entertained. At 
that time the trustees wore Joshua Burgess, Luther Barrell, 
John Kibling, Lemuel Whitney, John Willard, James 
Puffer, Silas Willard, Lemuel Stimson, Stephen Gushing, 
Oliver Samson and Hezekiah Corey. A considerable sum 
of money was raised by subscription and the work fairly 
begun in the autumn of 1831. The house was completed 
without suspension of the work and was dedicated July 4, 
1832. The dimensions were fifty-six by forty-one feet. 

Again, thirty-eight years is an epoch in the history of the 
Methodist church of Ashburnham. The present commo- 
dious house of worship was erected in 1870. It was then 
seventy-six years since the organization of the church in this 
town. Dividing the time in two equal portions, was the 
building of the first meeting-house in 1832. The first span 
of time had witnessed the growth of the church from a class 
of eight persons to one hundred members. Through many 
discouragements they had existed and had increased. At 
all times their ardor had been unabated. Through all these 
years of their early history they found many occasions for 
devout gratitude for the past and buoyant hope for the future. 
During the second period, or while occupying the first meet- 
ing-house, they were attended with continued prosperity. 
The visible results are witnessed by many seasons of spiritual 
power and by frequent and considerable addition to tlie 
membership of the church. 

At the close of the second epoch, the erection of the 
present church edifice was undertaken. In 1869 the site 
for the proposed building was purchased and the foundations 
were laid. From the board of trustees Reuben Puflfer, 
Nathaniel Eaton and Andrew J. Smith were chosen a build- 



314 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

ing committee, to which Charles Winchester was joined. 
Under the management of these gentlemen the work upon 
the building was begun in the spring of 1870 and the house 
was substantially completed during that year. The interior 
decoration and furnishing were completed the following 
summer and the house was dedicated July 20, 1871. The 
cost of construction was about thirty thousand dollars which 
for exceeded the first estimates and the burden fell heavily 
upon the society. The organ, from the factory of Hook and 
Hastings, was presented by Charles Winchester. During the 
succeeding ten years the debt contracted in constructing an 
expensive edifice was gradually reduced, but was not fully 
paid until during the ministry and through the eflbrts of 
Rev. Nathaniel B. Fisk. Two members of the church con- 
tributed at this time a sum exceeding the entire cost of the 
first meeting-house. 

From 1870 to the present time the outward history of 
the church has been uneventful. The stated ministrations 
have been maintained and commendable donations have been 
credited to the benevolence of the society. The spiritual 
history of all these years and the influences of the church 
over the souls of men are among the unwritten revelations 
of another world. The miimtes of the Conference contain 
the names of sixty-five preachers who were assigned pre- 
vious to 1832 to the station to which Ashburnhara belons^ed. 
It is evident that several of them after a brief labor here 
were transferred to other stations ; and, possibly, a few of 
them did not even arrive here before they received new 
appointments to other places. Nor were any of them 
assigned unreservedly to the Ashburnham church but to the 
circuit to Avhich this church belonged. Very few of them 
were temporarily resident here. Their labors were divided 
among several societies of which this was the strongest and 
most prominent. 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 315 

Since Ashburnham became a station in 1832, a pastor has 
been assigned without reservation and has lived during the 
term of his appointment among his charge. The number of 
these appointments is thirty-four. Of these seventeen, 
inchiding the present pastor, have remained one year, four- 
teen two years and under the modern revision of the rules, 
three have received a third appointment. After an interval 
of several years Kev. Pliny Wood and Rev. Austin F. Her- 
rick were returned to this town and are twice enumerated, 
but the brief pastorate of Rev. H. B. Skinner who tilled an 
unexpired appointment is not included. All were worthy, 
exemplary pastors. With varied gifts and acquirements, 
none have failed in duty to their charge, and all have been 
fellow-laborers with men of their own and other denomina- 
tions in the reforms and benevolence of their time. 

The names of the pastors and the membership of the 
church since Ashburnham was made a station are as follows : 

PASTORS. MEMBERSHIP. 

1832. Nathan B. Spaulding 101 

1833. Hebron Vincent 107 
1834-5. John W. Case 120 
1836. Charles Noble 130 
1837-8. William R. Stone 148 
1839. William P. White 121 
1840-1. Horace Moultou. H. B. Skinner, G months 180 
1842. John W. Merrill 184 

. 1843. Newell S. Spaulding 205 

1844-5. Howard C. Dunham 155 

1846. William B. Olds 142 

1847. David Kilburn 108 
1848-9. Pliny Wood 110 
1850. Jonathan L. Esty 114 
1851-2. Moses P. Webster lOG 
1853-4. Cyrus L. Eastman 116 



316 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

130 
138 
135 
131 
137 
122 
153 
180 
170 
149 
140 
171 
165 
159 
149 
149 
153 
147 

The Union Church. — The causes which led to the 
building of a meeting-house and the embodiment of a church 
at North Ashl)urnham are mainly apparent at the present 
time. It is probaljle and it is reasonable to presume that the 
controlling motives were sustained and encouraged by many 
minor impulses which are neither reflected in the record nor 
preserved in the memory of the few now living who were 
active in the initial proceedings. A half century ago that 
portion of the town was more populous than at present and 
in that community were several men of influence and enter- 
prise. The families residing in that vicinity for a long time 
had been sensible of the burden of the distance that 
separated them from the church at Ashburnham Centre to 
which they belonged. These, for many years, had frequently 
yet timidly suggested some measures of relief. Among them 
were a few families who were not in full sympathy with the 



1855-6. 


Austin F. Herrick 


1857. 


Lorenzo White 


1858-9. 


Pliny Wood 


1860-1. 


Ichabod Marcy 


1862-3. 


William Pentecost 


1864. 


Jonas M. Clark 


1865-6. 


John A. Lansing 


1867-8. 


Walter Wilkie 


1869. 


Nathan D. George 


1870. 


Joseph W. Lewis 


1871. 


L. P. Causey 


1872-4. 


Austin F. Herrick 


1875-6. 


James W. Fenno 


1877-9. 


William H. Cook 


1880-2. 


Nathaniel B. Flsk 


1883. 


John H. Mansfield 


1884. 


Emory A. Howard 


1885. 


Austin H. Herrick 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 31 7 

controlling influences of the parent church, and joined with 
these Avere others not allied to the church at the Centre nor 
were they Congregationalists. 

The latter class, actuated both by conscience and conven- 
ience, were ready to join in the organization of a union 
church with tenets inviting an evangelical alliance. There 
were many meetings and conferences of which no record was 
made, and concerning which very little accurate information 
can be secured. The work which met them at the outset 
was the building of a meeting-house and to this undertaking 
they directed their efforts with courage and enthusiasm. 
The edifice built for the proprietors by Ohio Whitney, Jr., 
and Samuel Howard was completed in 1842 and dedicated in 
December of that year. In the new house preaching was 
maintained by voluntary effort for several months. The 
church was embodied February 21, 1843. The creed was 
evangelical and while it omitted any declarations upon doc- 
trinal questions that were the distinguishing tenets of the 
Congregational, Methodist and Baptist faith, it was an un- 
equivocal expression on all points entertained in common by 
those churches. The original membership was fifty-five, of 
whom a majority was of Orthodox Congregational ante- 
cedents and the remainder were Methodists and Freewill 
Baptists. Of this membership twenty-five were received by 
dismissal and recommendation from the parent church ; a few 
from the Freewill Baptist church and several from the 
Methodists. During the early years of its existence the 
church and parish had no settled minister. 

The earlier preachers were Kev. William Hills, who 
remained several months, and Rev. Samuel Cole, who was 
acting pastor three years. Early in the year 1846 Elder 
Edward B. Eollins was hired to preach one year. This 
ministry introduced an era of discord. The season of har- 



318 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

mony and fraternal relations, which crowned the early 
history of the church with continued blessings, was abruptly 
ended and for many years the bitterness of feeling then 
engendered was frequently the cause of renewed contention. 
Following Mr. Rollins, Rev. Josiah D. Crosby preached one 
year and he was succeeded by Rev. A. A. Whitmore, who 
remained four years and was the first minister installed over 
the church. Succeeding Mr. Whitmore was a prolonged era 
of supplies and at times the records afford ample evidence 
that the salary of the minister was raised with great labor 
and effort. During this period the pastors were Rev. Josiah 
W. Brown, Rev. Woodbury and Rev. Asa Barnes. 

In 1860 the original church, known as the Union Church, 
was disbanded. The few members remaining, who were 
found prepared for continued effort, at once proceeded to 
organize a new church, to be known as " The Second Con- 
gregational Church of Ashburnham." The creed was 
amended and the church was embodied June 19, 1860. 
The number of members received at the time of reorganiza- 
tion was eleven. The number was small and the burden 
comparatively heavy ; yet, aided by the Congregational 
Home Missions, they succeeded in overcoming many obsta- 
cles and for several years in maintaining the stated ministra- 
tions of the gospel. 

Rev. Samuel H. Peckham supplied the desk for a season 
and in 1863 Mr. George H. Blake was made pastor in charge 
and engaged for one year with an understanding that, unless 
for cause, the relation should be continued indefinitely. 
Soon after Mr. Blake began his labors he was ordained in 
the ministry but was not installed over the church and the 
existing relations were abruptly terminated before the close 
of the first year. 

Rev. Daniel Wight, having supplied a few Sabbaths, 
accepted a call extended with great unanimity and was 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 319 

installed June 22, 1864. The relation was profitably and 
fraternally continued until April 1, 1871. Immediately pre- 
ceding this ministry the creed and rules of procedure were 
amended, and during its continuance the affairs, both of the 
church and the parish, were promptly and prudently admin- 
istered. 

Sueceeding Mr. Wight, Rev. Charles Peabody was made 
an acting pastor and continued his labors until May 16, 1875. 
He was succeeded by Rev. William T. Lewis who main- 
tained a dual relation with this church and the church in 
Winchendon Centre. 

The preliminary conferences in regard to the maintenance 
of stated preaching at North Ashburnham led to an early 
decision to build a meeting-house. A society was immedi- 
ately formed and under its direction the meeting-house was 
soon erected. In 1847 the society became a legal corpora- 
tion under the name of " The Proprietors of Union Meeting- 
House." Of this organization, Colonel Enoch Whitmore 
was clerk for many years and until the organization was lost 
through a failure to hold annual meetings and elect officers 
as required by law. In 1868, and during the ministry of 
Mr. Wight, the organization was revived and assumed the 
nome of the " North Parish of Ashburnham." It is apparent, 
however, that there was an active society during the years 
immediately preceding the new organization, but there is a 
hiatus in the records from 1857 till 1868. The new parish 
held annual meetings for a short time and then suffered the 
organization to lapse and at this time it has not been revived. 

The bell was purchased by subscriptions obtained in the 
autumn of 1867 and was placed in position January 23, 
1868, by Ohio Whitney and Samuel Howard as a part of 
their original contract for building the meeting-house. The 
bell soon failed, but a new one was furnished by the makers, 
without charge, which was hung in the l)elfry January 28, 



320 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

1869. It is a steel combination bell and weighs about eight 
hundred pounds. The expense attending its purchase and 
hanging was $265.51. 

During the existence of this church and parish only two 
ministers have been installed and no effort has been made to 
announce the names of all who have been acting pastors for 
short periods of time. The church and society are indebted 
to Isaac D. Ward for the careful preservation of the files and 
records from which the information in these paragraphs was 
mainly secured. 

Eev. Alfred Alonzo Whitmore, son of Luke Hayden and 
Phoebe (Cowing) Whitmore, was born near Geneva, Ontario 
county, New York, July 7, 1817. The family removed in 
1825 to the Territory of Michigan and settled near Ann 
Arbor. Attending the local schools in youth, Mr. Whit- 
more entered the school at Oberlin, Ohio, in 1838 and was a 
student in the several departments eight and one-half years, 
graduating from the academical department 1843 and the 
theological school in 1846. After a brief supply in several 
places he began his labor with this church in 1848 and was 
installed October 18 of that year. He was an earnest, faith- 
ful pastor and a plain and acceptable preacher. He was 
dismissed at his request August 25, 1852. After supplying 
a few months at Richmond he removed to Ohio, in 1864 to 
Illinois, and since 1875 he has resided at Anita, Iowa, where 
he completed a successful ministry in 1880. 

Rev. Daniel Wight, a son of Daniel and Zillali (Gould- 
ing) Wight, was born in Natick, September 18, 1808. He 
is a graduate of Harvard University, class of 1837, and of 
Andover Theological Seminary 1840. His first charge was 
in Scituate where he was ordained and installed September 
28, 1842. Here he labored successfully sixteen years. 
Commencing 1859 he was stated supply two years at Boyl- 
ston, and subsequently labored for the American Board 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 321 

among the Seneca Indians. On account of the failing health 
of his wife he returned to Natick in 1863 and immediately 
after he was called to preside over this church. His prudent 
councils, his untiring interest for the welfare of his charge 
and his earnest labor in this town will be held in grateful 
remembrance. At the completion of his ministry here he 
returned to Natick where he continues to reside. 

During the history of the church five have been called to 
serve as deacons. Daniel Jones was chosen deacon at the 
organization of the church. Soon after, under the adoption 
of a rule to choose one deacon each year for a term of two 
years, Gilman Jones and Joseph Wetherbee were chosen. 
Except one year Deacon Jones was continued in ofiice by 
reelection until his removal from town, and in 1845 John C. 
Davis was elected and was continued in office until his death 
June 19, 1883. After 1849 the offi.cers were elected for an 
indefinite period. Upon the reorganization of the church in 
1860, Deacon Davis was continued in service and Horace 
Balcom was also elected to the office. 

The Baptists. — At an early date there were several fami- 
lies in this town who were styled Baptists. Others of the 
same faith were residing in Ashby and in Fitchburg. They 
maintained preaching with considerable regularity during the 
closing years of the past and the early years of the current 
century. Professing an unbelief in the maintenance of a 
salaried clergy they derived their religious instruction from 
voluntary labor, and in the absence of a minister, which was 
usual, they enjoyed the exhortations of their own number. 
Stephen Gibson of Ashby was gifted in this direction and 
for many years he preached to them with more acceptance 
than compensation. In 1795, when this sect was most 
numerous, there were twenty families in this town and as 
many in Fitchburg connected with this society. They held 

21 



322 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

their meetino-s in dwellino;-houses and in school-houses near 
the limits of the adjoining towns, but they never erected a 
church edifice. The meeting-house built in the north part 
of Fitchburg, about 1810, was erected and occupied by 
an organization of Freewill Baptists with whom the older 
society had little sympathy. The families who waited 
upon the ministrations of Stephen Gibson and other laymen 
belonged to a sect which, one hundred years ago, found a 
few adherents in many New England towns. Professedly 
they were Calvinistic Baptists and, doubtless, their adher- 
ence to the cardinal doctrines of that church fully sustained 
their right to the name. But the distinguishing feature of 
their faith, and one in which thfey were not in harmony with 
the Baptist church, was an unyielding hostility to the pre- 
vailing custom of providing a stated support of the ministry. 

Professing that it was " a sin to preach for hire " they 
relied upon itinerant and local preachers who labored with- 
out compensation. No doubt this feature of their creed was 
fostered and intensified by the intolerant laws of the State 
which compelled all to contribute to the support of the 
standing order. Those belonging to this society were 
excellent people. Some of them were influential and prom- 
inent citizens. As soon as the spirit of toleration repealed 
the compulsory statutes in relation to the support of the 
clergy, in a great measure the ground of their oftence was 
removed and they gradually became absorbed in other 
religious societies. In later years there have been Baptists 
of the modern school in this town but there has been no 
other organization. 

Second Adventists. — For several years there have been 
a number of families in this town who are known as Second 
Adventists. They have occasional preaching at South 
Ashburnham but have no church organization. In religious 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 323 

belief they are closely allied to the Evangelical churches and 
are not in full sympathy with the Seventh Day Adventists 
whose annual conference is held at Battle Creek, Michifiran. 
The members of the denomination in this town observe the 
first day of the week and cordially unite with the other 
denominations in the Sabbath-school and m forwardino; 
every good work. 

The Catholics began to maintain religious service in 
this town in 1851. At that time the number of families 
was small and they assembled at private houses. With the 
progress of years the number has increased and for a number 
of years service was held in the Town Hall with consider- 
able regularity. In 1871 they bought the house they now 
occupy of the Methodist society. The interior has been 
remodelled and thoroughly repaired. The congregation is 
steadily increasing and the visible influence of the service is 
in the support of good morals. The church is under the 
spiritual direction of Rev. John Conway who is also in 
charge of the church in Winchendon. The Catholics, 
having no cemetery in this town, bury their dead in Fitch- 
burg and in Winchendon. 



CHAPTER XI. 

SACRED MUSIC. 

A TR0THFUL REMARK OF NO GREAT ACCOUNT. EARLY ACTION IN RELATION 

TO SACRED MUSIC. YK PITCH-PIPE. EARLY HYMN-BOOKS. NEW TUNES. 

FIRST CHORISTERS. DEACONING THE HYMN. BASS VIOL. MUSICAL 

FAMILIES. LATER MEMBERS OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHOIR. THE 

METHODIST CHOIR. 

The men of Ashburnham have produced their most stir- 
ring music in their frequent town meetings, but being of a 
character unsuited to waft, on the wings of praise, the sen- 
timent of sacred song it cannot be considered under the head 
of church music. Holding an easy rein over their proclivi- 
ties in the arena of debate they have made ample amends in 
curbing opposition to the innovations which have marked 
the progress and elevation of sacred music in this place. 
The first reference in the records to this subject occurs at an 
early date ; 

To see if the town are wilUng that the singers should sett 
together in the Public Worship in any part of the gallery that shall 
be thought proper. 

Voted that the singers shall have the front gallery to set in, in 
time of Public Worship viz : the men's side as far back as the 
long pew. 

Thus, as far back as 1773 and as far back as the long 
pew, the town provided for the accommodation and recog- 
nized the existence of a choir. That the singers increased 

324 



SACRED MUSIC. 325 

in numbers is seen in a vote a few years later " to let the 
singers have the front part of the gallery to set in that they 
may not be so crowded." 

In 1774 the church by vote consented to the use of the 
pitch-pipe " if the chorister please to pitch the tune " and at 
the same time it was ordered, the records say by a consider- 
able majority, " that no new tunes should be introduced for 
twelve months and that they should be confined to the tunes 
that are already in use." There was opposition to the last 
vote and the records explain that to relieve the minds of 
many on this point the pastor was requested to name a 
proper tune for every psalm that was sung. The same year 
and in connection with these votes a proposal to introduce 
the verse of Dr. Watts was defeated. The version of Tate 
and Brady remained in use until near the close of the cen- 
tury. This version, a literal arrangement of the Psalms and 
some other portions of the Old Testament, with modest 
pretension to metrical composition, was employed in the 
Presbyterian and Reformed churches of Great Britain for a 
long time, and until eventually supplanted by the psalms 
and hymns of Dr. Watts it was in general use in the 
churches of New England. In that version our fathers 
found the familiar lines of the Scriptures and they regarded 
with gTave suspicion the same sentiments expressed in new 
forms of speech. A copy of the ancient version is seldom 
found and many of the present generation have little idea of 
the poetry which the fathers were accustomed to sing. A 
part of the fifth and the sixty-fifth Psalms, in the version 
of Tate and Brady, will afford some idea of the general 
character. 

" Lord, in thy wrath, rebuke me not, 
Nor in tliy hot wratli chasten me. 
Lord, pity me, for I am weak ; 
Lord, heal me, for my bones vex'd be. 



326 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Also my soul is vexed sore ; 

How long, O Lord, wilt thou me forsake? 

"Return, O Lord, my soul release; 
O, save me for thy mercy's sake. 
In death no mem'ry is of thee 
And who shall praise thee in the grave. 
I faint with groans ; all night my bed 
Swims : I with tears my couch wash'd have, 
Mine eyes with grief is dim and old, 
Because of all mine enemies. 
But now depart away from me 
All ye that work iniquities. 

" Silence to thee; thy praise God, 
In Sion, paid shall be. 
The vow to thee, who hearest prayers, ' 
All flesh shall come to thee. 
Works of iniquity prevail 
Against me sore do they. 
But as for our transgres-si-ons, 
Thou shalt them purge away." 

The opposition to the introduction of new tunes is easily 
understood and was prompted by an impulse which com- 
mands respect. For many years our fathers had reverently 
sung their praises in the familiar strains of York, St. Mar- 
tin's, Mear and a few other substantial compositions. By 
constant use these tunes had become sacred to them and a 
sentiment of reverence triumphed over their musical taste 
and the allurements of new compositions. The earliest 
chorister, of whom there is any certain information, was 
William Benjamin. He was a resident here at the settle- 
ment of Mr. Winchester and remained until 1785 when he 
removed to Vermont. He led the choir several years and 
was succeeded by Joseph Jewett, Esq., and Lieutenant 
John Adams. Amos Dickerson, Ebenezer Wood, Levi 
Whitney, Mrs. Joseph Jewett, Betsey Dickerson, after- 



SACRED MUSIC. 327 

wards the wife of Isaac Jackson, were prominent singers in 
the first meeting-house, and some of them are found in the 
choir at a later period. Jacob Kiblinger was a famous 
singer, but he generally worshipped with the Baptists and 
was not a constant member of the choir. 

Although led by a choir, for many years the singing was 
mainly congregational, and on account of the small number 
of books in the possession of the worshippers the practice of 
reading or lining the hymns was continued about thirty 
years. After the hymn had been read by the minister one 
of the deacons would read one or two lines. When that 
passage had been sung in the animated manner of the time, 
and while the sino;ers were reo^aining breath, the deacon 
read another line or couplet and by this alternating process 
the longest hymns were fully rendered. In 1788 the church 
voted that no hymn should be sung without reading if any 
deacon was present to read it, except the last hymn in the 
service, but the following year at the request of the town the 
practice was discontinued altogether. 

At the time the congregation began to worship in the 
second meeting-house a bass viol was introduced, but there 
is no reference in the records to other instruments until 
several years later, but it is certain that from an early date 
the singers were accustomed to select a chorister and to 
accept the support of any musical instrument that was avail- 
able. For these reasons very little mention of the conduct 
of church music is found in the records. For one hundred 
years an interest in the subject and a commendable pride in 
home talent has been manifested by the town, and later 
by the parish, by frequent and liberal appropriations " for 
the encouragement of singing;," and schools of instruction 
under efficient teachers have been numerous. 



328 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

More thuu :iiiy other, musical ability is a gift of inheri- 
tance. In every community can be found families of 
musicians. This faculty may present different phases in 
succeeding generations but the musical ability of the parents 
is ever renewed in their children. This town has counted 
among its residents many excellent musicians and many 
natives of the place have been famous, wdiile others, more 
remotely associated, can trace their musical inheritance to 
an Ashburnham parentage. In the following paragraph it 
will be discovered that many of the prominent members of 
the choir through all these years were descendants from 
some of the earliest singers in this town. Catherine, wife 
of John Kiblinger the emigrant, is distinguished in tradition 
for qualities of voice and skill in music, and the choir has 
been indebted to her descendants through several genera- 
tions. The musical talent of the Adams, Rice, Barrett and 
the Charles Stearns families has been conspicuous through 
succeeding generations. As the voice of the parents grew 
feeble in age or was silent in death, the unbroken song has 
been sustained in the tuneful notes of their children. Many 
of these have been prominent in the choir where their 
services have been appreciated. 

Among the singers in the second meeting-house on the 
old common, whose voices are still heard in the traditions 
of the choir, w^ere Colonel Charles Barrett, Benjamin 
Barrett, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Stearns, Mr. and Mrs. 
Reuben Townsend, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hastings, the 
brothers John, James and Walter R. Adams, George Law- 
rence, Josiah White, Harvey M. Bancroft, Mrs. Benjamin 
Gibbs, a daughter of Reuben Rice, Mrs. James Russell, 
assisted by the violins of Colonel Charles Barrett and Jonas 
Rice, the clarionets of Walter R. Adams and Samuel Foster, 



SACRED MUSIC. 329 

the bugle of James Barrett and the bassoon of James 
Adams. 

Several of these continued with the choir in the new 
meeting-house in the village, and from time to time were 
reenforced by Amos Taylor, Joseph Kibling, Colonel Joseph 
P. Eice, Colonel Francis J. Barrett, Colonel George H. 
Barrett, who entered the choir at an early age, Harvey M. 
Bancroft, Stephen A. Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Josiah E. 
White, Mrs. Sally (Thurston) Phillips, Mrs. Shepherd, 
David and Harvey Laws, Dr. and Mrs. Miller, Mrs. 
Josephine (Stearns) Tenny, Julia and Caroline Barrett, 
Mrs. Rebecca (Stearns) Walker, whose cultured voice led 
the choir several years, and the viols and violins of Deacon 
J. A. Conn, Harvey M. Bancroft, George H. Lowe, Stephen 
A. Miller, Horace Samson, the flute of J. E. White and the 
clarionet skilfully played by Captain A. A. Walker. In 
this choir Mrs. Julia Houston West began her public singing 
and C. C. Stearns, when a lad, accurately played the bass 
viol. The present choir, under the efficient direction of 
Colonel George H. Barrett, with Miss Augusta Ames 
organist, is well sustained by the leading voices of Miss 
Lizzie F. Barrett, Mrs. Georgie S. (Whitney) Greenwood, 
Mrs. Theresa (Rockwood) Litch and Homer T. Rice. 

In the early service of the Methodist church sacred song 
was the voluntary praise of the congregation, rather than the 
skilled performance of a choir. In this style of music any 
failure of culture was fully compensated by fervor and ani- 
mation. Since the occupancy of the meeting-house in the 
central village a good choir has been quite generally sus- 
tained and very many acceptable singers and several cultured 
voices have participated in this feature of public worship. 
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Stearns, who had been teachers of 
music, were prominent in this choir many years and later 



330 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

their daughter, Mrs. Walker, was leader of the choir and 
leading soprano thirteen years. The strong and not untune- 
ful voice of Antipas Maynard is well remembered and his 
daughters have rendered efficient service. Mr. and Mrs. 
Charles Hastings, Sawyer Rice, Lewis Sabin, Nathaniel F. 
Cutter, Sarah A. Cutter and many others, are often named 
in the traditions of the Methodist choir. At the present 
time Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Eaton are leading singers and 
Miss Mabel W. Tenney is organist. 



CHAPTER XII. 

PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 

HOME EDUCATION. — FIRST APPROPRIATION FOR SCHOOLS. FIRST SCHOOL- 
HOUSES. DISTRICTS. EIGHT DISTRICTS DEFINED. A NEW DISTRICT. 

THE TENTH DISTRICT. NEW BOUNDARIES. THE ELEVENTH DISTRICT. 

THE DISTRICT SYSTEM ABOLISHED. SCHOOL-HOUSES. TEXT-BOOKS. 

TEACHERS. APPROPRIATIONS. SCHOOL LEGISLATION. HIGH SCHOOLS. 

PRUDENTIAL AFFAIRS. SUPERVISION. 

No sooner had a few families, at remote distances and 
connected by rude paths through the intervening wilderness, 
secured the stated ministrations of the gospel, than means 
were provided for the education of the young. During the 
early years of the settlement, in which there were no public 
schools, the young were not suffered to grow up in ignorance. 
The parents were generally people of intelligence and not a 
few of considerable culture. They personally attended to 
the education of their children and there were as many 
schools in the settlement as there were families. Whatever 
may have been the measure of instruction in the home circle 
the results are unmistakable. None grew up in ignorance, 
and the many evidences of a fair education, made known in 
the lives of those whose only schooling was at the fireside, 
aie the substance of our knowledge of the instruction of that 
early period. A part of the children of the Winchester, 
Foster, Coolidge, Kibling, Whiteman and Coleman families 
were advanced youth when the first public school was estab- 
lished in this town ; yet, compared with the standard of their 

331 



332 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

times, they were educated, intelligent men and women, and 
it is clearly evident that the education of the youth of that 
period was not neglected through a failure of public support. 
The date of the first entries found in the records on this 
subject is 17G7. Compared with the schools of to-day it 
was a humble beginning : " Voted to Keep a School and 
voted Eight Pounds for y'' school." 

At a meeting assembled a few months later and before any 
of the appropriation had been expended under an article, 
" To see where y"^ Town will keep their School, whether in 
y*" middle of y^ Town or Divide it into Quarters or Pass any 
votes on s'' article," it was "Voted y* y'^ School Should be a 
moveing School, voted to leave it to y'' Select men to make 
y** Quarters where ye school Shall be Cept, voted it to bee a 
free School." The term quarter was here employed in the 
sense of district or division and this use of the word per- 
mitted the selectmen to divide the town into an accommo- 
dating number of quarters, which was frequently done, with- 
out defiance of mathematical terms. During the early 
existence of the schools the town was divided into three 
districts, a school being maintained at the centre of the town, 
another at the Dutch farms and the third in the south part of 
the town. In 1774, in accordance with the existing arrange- 
ment of the districts, the town voted to build three school- 
houses. This action was promptly reconsidered, and an 
order was adopted that the town be divided into five quarters 
and that five school-houses be erected at the expense of the 
town. At this point there is found no reference to any new 
districts, but in some way there were seven in the following 
year. For several years, commencing with 1780, there were 
ten districts ; in 1786, there were nine ; in 1794 the number 
of districts was reduced to eight ; but in 1801 a new ninth 
district was established in the southeast part of the town, 



PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 



333 



including the estates of Josliuii Billings, Reuben Billings, 
Reuben Rice, Jonathan Winchester, Thomas Gibson, Joseph 
Gibbs, Caleb Wilder, Jr., and Samuel Dunster. 

Thus, at the close of the century, we find the town divided 
into nine districts, and in each, as will appear, there was a 
comfortable school-house. While the boundaries of these 
districts have been subject to frequent changes, and the 
tenth and eleventh districts have been created by a division 
of the seventh and first districts, the remaining numbers were 
bounded substantially as they exist at the present time. 
From the beginning changes in the boundaries of the dis- 
tricts and requests of individuals to be transferred to an 
adjacent district have been a prolific source of legislation. 
In 1805, the subject of a general revision was referred to a 
committee of one from each district who reported the follow- 
ing year " that it is their unanimous opinion that a general 
rearrangement throughout the town cannot be advisable, but 
some alterations, in the southern part of the town, may be 
attended with good effect." This action did not pacify the 
town, and many petitions were renewed. In May, 1808, 
the whole subject was referred to a committee, consisting 
of Dr. Abraham Lowe, Captain Caleb Wilder, Captain 
George R. Cushing, Lieutenant John Adams, Mr. Timothy 
Crehore, Mr. Lemuel Stimson, Captain John Willard, Mr. 
Caleb Ward and Mr. William Merriam. On the twenty- 
ninth of November following the committee made a report 
dividing the town into eight districts, as follows : 

District Number One. — To consist of Rev. John Gushing, 
Moses Tottingham, Abraham Lowe, Horatio Hale, David Cushing, 
David Cushing, Jr., Joseph Jewett, Grover Scollay, Wm. J. 
Lawrence, Ephraim Cobleigh, Fitch Crosby, Hosea Stone, widow 
Nancy Stone, Joseph Miller, widow Brooks, Luther Brooks, 
Sewell Brooks, Phinehas Stimson, Cyrus Fairbanks, Jacob Fair- 



334 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

banks, Oliver Samson, David Russell, Caleb Ward, Jr., Nathan 
Jones, Stephen Randall, Phinehas Randall, Jonas Randall, Joel 
Barrett, Oliver Marble, Oliver Marble, Jr., Thaddeus Brooks, 
Jonas Robbins, Shebuel Hobard, Deacon Jacob Harris, Ezekiel 
S. Metcalf (35). 

District Number Two. — Oliver Green, Jesse Ellis, Jonathan 
Brooks, John Winter, David Wallis, William Ward, Henry Hall, 
Lemuel Whitney', Nicholas Whiteman, John Hall, David Taylor, 
Nathan Ta5Tlor, George R. Gushing, Jacob Willard, Jacob Con- 
stantine. Wait Broughton (16). 

District Number Three. — Lieutenant John Adams, Walter 
R. Adams, James Adams, John Adams, Jr., Thomas Russell, 
Isaac Hill, Ebenezer Adams, Isaac Reed, William Gates, John 
Hadley's place, widow Ruth Conn, James Cowee, Jabez Marble, 
Jonas Rice, Peter Policy, Asa Woods, Asa Sawin, Joshua Bil- 
lings, George Wilker, Josiah Fletcher (20). 

District Number Four. — Reuben Rice, Jonathan Winchester, 
Joseph Gibbs, Thomas Gibson, William Merriam, Samuel Gates, 
Samuel Dunster, Nehemiah Maynard, Stephen Maj'nard, Thomas 
Hobart, Mrs. Sarah Earle, William Whitney, Samuel Whitney, 
Stephen Bemis, Deacon Sherebiah Hunt (15). 

District Number Five. — Reuben Townsend, widow Conn, 
Caleb Wilder, Jr., Captain Silas Whitney's place, Samuel Clark, 
Henry Gates, Ebenezer Munroe, Samuel Phillips, John Gates, Jona- 
than Samson, Stephen Corey, Deacon Elisha White, John Willard, 
Joshua Smith, Grover Scollaj^ Joseph Burgess, Ebenezer Burgess, 
Simeon Brooks, John Corey, Joseph Stone, Ezra Stone, Elial 
Bacon, Jonas Reed, Daniel Knight, Jonathan Haven, John Haven, 
Nathaniel Adams, James Hajmes, Phinehas Taylor, Hezekiah 
Corey (30). 

District Number Six. — Timothy Crehore, Benjamin Angler, 
Joseph Merriam, Moses Sanderson, Timothy Crehore, Jr., 
Frederick Crosby, Adam Stone, J. Hayden, William Holbrook, 
Jonah Rice, Nathaniel Foster, David Clark, William Harris (13). 

District Number Seven. — Samuel Cotting, Ithamer Fair- 
banks, James Weston, Colonel Francis Lane, Caleb Ward, Ezra 



PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 335 

Lawrence, Enos Jones, Joseph Fenno, Barnabas Baldwin, Abra- 
ham Cummings, Grant Houston, Moses Lawrence, Isaac Whit- 
more, Edmund Jones, Ebenezer B. Davis, widow Kezia Hobart, 
Captain Silas Willard (17). 

District Number Eight. — Simou Willai'd, Amos Pierce, 
Daniel Benjamin, Daniel Benjamin, Jr., Nathan Jones' place, 
William Stearns, Jesse Stearns, Joshua Barton, James Stearns' 
place, Joseph Steele, Daniel Mclntire, Ezra Hastings, Lemuel 
Stimson, Benjamin Lane, Josiah Lane, Captain Charles Hastings, 
Henry Willard (17). 

At aj)revious meeting the same year, on the petition of 
several families residing in the vicinity of Eice pond, a new 
district had been created for their accommodation. Under 
the arrangement embraced in the report of the committee 
these families Avere restored to the first district and their new 
district was annulled as soon as organized. Immediately 
they renewed their solicitations for an independent district 
and were again successful. In May, 1810, after several 
hearings the town " Voted to grant the request of Jacob 
Harris and others, which is to set off the following persons as 
a school district by themselves, viz. : Jacob Harris, Shebuel 
Hobart, Oliver Marble, Ezekiel S. Metcalf, Charles Hastings, 
Joel Barrett, Thaddeus Brooks, John Winter, Jonas Randall, 
Josiah Lane, Oliver Marble, Jr., and Jonas Robbins." 

These radical changes in the district organizations did not 
restore tranquillity. The continued petitions of individuals 
to be annexed to a contiguous district were sometimes 
granted but more generally denied. After several refusals 
the inhabitants of Lane Village were permitted to organize 
the tenth district, but the boundaries were not defined by the 
town until 1829. The vote of the town was as follows : 
"That Samuel Foster, Ezekiel Metcalf, Francis Lane, Henry 
Kibling, Henry Kibliug, Jr., David Hadley, Caleb Ward, 



336 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

John Kibling, Francis Kibling, Richard W. Houghton, Elias 
Lane, Alvin Ward, Henry Gipson, Moses Lawrence, 
Ebenezer B. Davis, Charles Davis, John C. Davis, Joseph 
Davis and Humphrey Harris, together with their estates and 
all the non-resident lands lying within the limits (together 
with Joel Foster and his estate if he wishes) , shall constitute 
school district Number Ten in the town of Ashburnham." 

Again, in 1832 the boundaries of all the districts were 
definitely established and several changes were made. Many 
now living; were attendino; school when this order of the town 
was executed. Those whose former relations were rutthlessly 
severed, who were thus compelled to attend school in new 
places, who trod no more the old familiar paths to the school- 
house, nor met the familiar faces of their former playmates, 
will even now recall the proceeding with vivid recollection. 

A committee, consisting of George G. Parker, John Hall, 
Asa Woods, Elijah Brooks, Elisha White, Timothy Crehore, 
Jr., Enoch Whitmore, Jonas Willard, Charles Hastings, 
Elias Lane, — one from each district, — made the following 
recommendation which was adopted : 

Your committee, appointed at the last March meeting to deter- 
mine and define the limits of the several school districts, having 
attended to that duty, would respectfully recommend that the 
several territories as hereafter bounded and described, with the in- 
habitants at any time residing thereon, should constitute different 
districts in this town, to wit : 

District Number Oke. — Beginning at the southeasterly cor- 
ner of William Whitney's farm and running northerly to the 
central point in the road between Reuben Townsend, Jr., and 
Mrs. Hunt ; thence northerly so as to cross the county road lead- 
ing through the village at the north end of Dr. Pierce's east wall 
near Thomas Hobart's land ; thence northerly to the junction of 
the Ashby road and the road leading to Emery Fairbanks' ; thence 



PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 337 

northwesterly to a stake and stones on the west side of New 
Ipswich road north of Corey & Ross' mill ; thence in the same 
direction to a stake and stones on the west side of the road 
between Jonas Robbins' and the said bank ; thence westerly to the 
south end of Meeting-house pond ; thence to the centre of the road 
fifty rods south of Ezekiel Metcalf ; thence northerl}^ in the [line] 
of said road five rods north of Joel Foster's ; thence westerl}^ so as 
to meet the county road at the east side of the French farm ; thence 
southeasterly to the junction of the roads leading by Oliver Sam- 
son's and Josiah Eaton's ; thence to a stake and stones on the 
north side of the road between Samuel Whitney's and Stephen 
Corey's at the division line between their farms ; thence south- 
easterly so as to cross the road leading by Joseph Harris' at the 
east end of his south wall near Captain Willard's land ; thence 
north of Mr. Barrett's to the southwest corner of William Whit- 
ney's farm at the line of the town of Westminster ; thence on said 
town line to the bounds first mentioned. 

District Number Two. — Beginning at Wilker's new road at 
the line of the town of Ashby ; thence running northerly on said 
Ashby line to the northwest corner of Elnathan Lawrence's farm ; 
thence southerly to the north end of Brooks' pond ; thence to the 
junction of the roads leading by Salmon Rice's and Joseph Dud- 
ley's ; thence southerly to the east side of Mount Hunger ; thence 
on District Number Three to the bounds first mentioned. 

District Number Three. — Beginning at the junction of the 
Ashby road and the road leading by Emery Fairbanks' ; thence 
easterly to a pair of bars across a pathway leading to Nathaniel 
Cutter's ; thence easterly to the southeast corner of Joshua Bil- 
lings' farm ; thence north on the line of the town of Ashby to 
Wilker's new road ; thence westerly to the side of Mount Hunger ; 
thence westerly to the northwest corner of Stephen Lane's 
pasture ; thence southerly to the bounds first mentioned. 

District Number Four. — Beginning at the southeast corner 
of William Whitney's farm ; thence on District Number One to 
the central point in the road between Reuben Townsend, Jr., and 
Mrs. Hunt's ; thence northerly crossing the county road at the 



338 ' HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

north end of Dr. Pierce's east wall to the junction of the Ashby 
road and the road leading to Emery Fairbanks' ; thence easterly 
on District Number Three to a pair of bars across a passway 
leading to Nathaniel Cutter's ; thence easterly to the southeast 
corner of Joshua Billings' farm ; thence southerly and westerly on 
the line of the towns of Ashby, Fitchburg and Westminster to the 
bounds first mentioned. 

District Number Five. — Beginning at the southwesterly 
corner of William Whitney's farm ; thence northwesterly on the 
north side of William Barrell's and on District Number One to 
the junction of the roads leading by Oliver Samson's and Josiah 
Eaton's ; thence westerly so as to cross the turnpike leading to P. 
R. Merriam's at Sanderson's corner ; thence to the line of Gardner 
on the north side of Hezekiah Corey's farm ; thence southerly and 
easterly on the town line of said Gardner and Westminster to the 
bounds first mentioned. 

District Number Six. — Beginning at the line of the town of 
Gardner on the north side of Hezekiah Corey's farm ; thence 
easterly on District Number Five to Sanderson's corner ; thence 
on Districts Number Five and Number One to the county road 
leading from Ashburnham to Winchendon at the east side of the 
French farm, so-called ; thence to the northeasterly corner of 
James Laws' land ; thence westerly to the line of the town of 
Winchendon at the northwesterly^ corner of William Harris' farm ; 
thence on the town line of said Winchendon and Gardner to the 
bounds first mentioned. 

District Number Seven. — Beginning at the line of the town 
of Winchendon at the northwest corner of William Harris' farm ; 
thence easterly on District Number Six to the northeast corner of 
James Laws' land ; thence easterly to the southwest corner of 
Asa Tottingham's land ; thence easterly to the southeast corner 
of William Houghton's land ; thence northerly' to the northeast 
corner of said Houghton's land ; thence westerly to the southeast 
corner of Silas Willard's land ; thence north on Silas Willard, 
George Wood, Daniel Jones and Rial Cummings to the line of the 
State of New Hampshire ; thence westerly on said State line to 



PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 339 

the northwest corner of Ashburnham ; thence southerly on the 
line of the town of Winchendon to the bounds first mentioned. 

District Number Eight. — Beginning at the northwest corner 
of Captain T. Stearns' farm at the line of New Hampshire ; thence 
westerly on Rial Cummings, Daniel Jones, George Wood and 
Silas Willard to the southeast corner of Silas Willard's farm ; 
thence on District Number Seven to the southeast corner of 
William Houghton's land; thence southeasterly to the northwest 
corner of Lewis Willard's farm ; thence to the southeast corner of 
said Lewis Willard's farm ; thence easterly to land of Charles 
Hastings ; thence to the northwest corner of said Hastings' land ; 
thence southeasterly to land of Oliver Marble or Oliver Green ; 
thence easterly to land of Jesse Ellis ; thence north to the State 
line at land of Elnathan Lawrence ; thence on said State line to 
the bounds first mentioned. 

District Number Nine. — Beginning at the junction of the 
Ashby road and the road leading to Emery Fairbanks' ; thence 
westerly on District Number One to the south end of Meeting- 
house pond ; thence northerly on District Number Ten to John 
Lane's land ; thence easterly to Jesse Ellis' land ; thence southerly 
to the north end of Brooks' pond ; thence on District Number 
Two to the east side of Mount Hunger ; thence westerl}' to the 
northwest corner of Stephen Lane's pasture ; thence on District 
Number Three to the bounds first mentioned. 

District Number Ten. — Beginning in the centre of the road 
five rods north of Joel Foster's ; thence westerly to the south- 
westerly corner of Captain Francis Lane's farm ; thence to the 
northwest corner of Caleb Ward's land ; thence easterly and 
northerly on the pond to the northwest corner of Jacob Ward's 
farm ; thence easterly to the northwest corner of Lewis Willard's 
farm ; from thence to the southeast corner of said Lewis Willard's 
farm ; thence south to the Meeting-house pond ; thence south on 
the west side of said pond to the south end ; thence westerly and 
northerly on District Number One to the bounds first mentioned. 

Few changes in the boundaries of these districts are noted 
until 1850, when, by the division of the first district, the 



340 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

eleventh was organized. This measure was warmly debated 
and was carried by a small majority and at best it must be 
regarded as a measure of doubtful expediency. 

Under the provisions of the recent school laws of the State, 
with which all are presumed to be familiar, several attempts 
to -vacate the district system were defeated by a majority of 
the town. In the mean time the measure was fully debated 
and was met with accumulating support. In 1878 the 
school district system was abolished and the appraisal of the 
houses and other school property was referred to the select- 
men. Since then the employment of the teachers and the 
prudential affairs of the schools have devolved upon the 
committee of supervision. For half a century, under the 
school code of 1827, the districts were organized corpora- 
tions, assuming and exercising the control of their prudential 
affairs. Previous to that date the town, in the choice of the 
prudential and superintending committees and in building 
school-houses, maintained a control over the schools which 
was renewed in 1878 when the district system was abolished. 
In the early history of the schools the town chose two com- 
mittees instead of one, yet in theory, and so far as the source 
of authority is concerned, the ancient and the modern sys- 
tems, separated by fifty years, are practically the same. 

Very little information of the first school-houses is found 
in the records, and in some instances the action of the town 
appears contradictory. In 1782 it was ordered "that each 
school quarter build school-houses by themselves if they are 
willing to have houses and that each quarter assess them- 
selves for that purpose." Within three months from the 
foregoing vote the town " granted one hundred and twenty 
pounds to be laid out in building school-houses and voted 
that each quarter draw their proportion of it," and at the 
same meeting permission was granted to build a school-house 



PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 341 

on the common. In 178(3 sixty pounds and in 1793 seventy- 
five pounds was "granted to finish the school-houses." In 
179!) the town appropriated seventy-five dollars "towards 
building a school-house in Lieut. John Adams' ward in room 
of the one lately burned." Three years later it was voted 
to give Joseph Gibbs' school district fifty dollars towards 
building a school-house. This vote is connected with the 
reorganization of a ninth district which subsequently became 
known as the fourth district. At this date the districts were 
not numbered and were distinguished by the name of some 
prominent citizen. In 1809, when many of the school-houses 
were found too small or in need of repair, the town asserted 
its independence of continued responsibility in the premises 
in a declaration that " each school district should build its own 
school-house." 

It is apparent from the records and confirmed by tradition 
that a school-house was built on the northwest part of the 
common at the close of the Hevolution. In 1809 a new house 
was built on the common north of land of Moses Tottingham 
and east of the highway loading south from the old meeting- 
house. It was removed to the village in 1818. The site 
then selected has been occupied to the present time. At an 
earl}^ date there Avas a school-house at the foot of the Charles 
Lawrence hill, but changes in the boundaries of the districts 
joined the families in that vicinity to the second and the 
eighth districts. A school-house, which was burned in 1810, 
stood many years on the ledges, east of the residence of 
Warren E. Marble and not far from the house of Nathan and 
Oliver Taylor, and a second building was erected on the 
same site. This was removed sixty or more years ago and 
stood several years across the road from its present location. 
The flowage of the meadow caused the last removal. It has 
been repaired frequently and is yet a comfortable school- 



342 ■ HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

house. Ill the third district, after the first house Avas burned 
another was built near the residence of Newell Marble which 
was succeeded by a brick house which proved too heavy for 
the moist ground on which it stood, and was replaced by the 
present frame building about forty years ago. 

An early house in the fourth district, built above eighty 
years ago, stood in the mill-yard of Cyrus A. Jefts. The 
present house was built in 1838. A few years before the 
close of the past century, a school-house was erected about 
two hundred yards north of the residence of Benjamin E. 
Wetherbee. The next house in this vicinity was located 
about as far west of the residence of Mr. Wetherbee and was 
burned almost forty years ago. In 1848 a two-story brick 
house was built on the present site. This house was burned 
in 1865. The new house, commodious and substantial, was 
built in 1867. Another ancient school-house was erected on 
the old road to Winchendon and near the Frederick .Crosby 
place. Many years ago it was removed or a new one built 
near the Astor House. Later the centre of population was 
in Burrageville where rooms were rented for the accommo- 
dation of the school. In 1882 the present house was built. 
A portion of Number Seven has formed a part of several 
geographical districts. Tradition stoutly affirms that in very 
early times, for the accommodation of a large section of the 
town, there was a school-house west of the saw-mill of Isaac 
D. Ward and on an old road leading from and north of the 
meeting-house in North Ashburnham. The tradition is prob- 
ably in accordance with the fact and it is also certain that 
one hundred years ago a house was built on a road long 
since discontinued, and about eighty yards north of the 
residence of Nathaniel R. Butler. The house was burned in 
1812. Immediately another was built north of the village 
of North Ashburnham at the junction of the Rindge road 



PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 343 

and a road noAV discontinued. In response to changes made 
in the boundaries of the district the house was removed to a 
point on the road leading from the Deacon Jones' place to 
the present site. The house near the residence of Henry 
Tuckerman was built in 1850, and is situated two miles from 
the centre of the original district. The first school-house in 
the eighth district, built at an early date, was located on 
the Stearns road, a short distance from the present house. 
It was burned in 1814 and its successor built the follow- 
ing year. The school-house in the ninth district was so 
thoroughly constructed at the organization of the district that 
attentive repairs have continued its preservation. The school- 
house provided in Lane Village at the organization of the 
district was continued until 1852 when the present substan- 
tial house was erected. 

The commencement of the present century was the begin- 
ning of a new era in the cause of popular education. The 
efforts of the past had taken root for a more vigorous growth, 
and many happy changes occurred within a few years. In 
most cases, to learn to read, write and spell, with some 
knowledfi^e of the rules of arithmetic, was all that had been 
attempted. The text-books in use previous to 1800 were 
not numerous, and of a most primitive character. Dil- 
worth's and Perry's Spelling-Book, and Pike's Arithmetic 
would cut a sorry figure in the school-room at the present 
time. Late in the past century, Webster's Reader found its 
way into the school-room, as well as a small abridgment of 
Morse's Geography, which gave the briefest description of 
the earth's surface, and contained many startling facts. 
Alexander's Grammar was in the hands of only the most 
advanced and ambitious pupils. In any mention of the l>ooks 
of the period, the New England Primer must not be omitted. 
This volume of diminutive size, filled with wholesome truths, 



344 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

was found at every fireside, and was received in the school- 
room as a reading-book and safe counsellor. Every Satur- 
day, and sometimes more frequently, the entire school was 
required to "say the catechism," as found in this little volume. 
These exercises, and the truths inculcated, are not forgotten 
by the aged among us, but are shining brightly in their 
waning years. To them education, in an intellectual sense, 
was simply the measure of mental force, furnishing facilities 
to action, while these moral instructions were seized upon to 
direct and be the guiding principle of their lives. 

From an early date the most successful teachers in the 
public schools have been natives and residents of this town. 
Within the limits of this chapter it would be impossible to 
name even those who secured an enduring reputation in the 
traditions of the town. As early as 1790, Hon. Samuel 
Appleton, then of New Ipswich, was an instructor one term 
at least in the first humble school-house on the old common. 
Captain Caleb Wilder, portly in form, genial in manner, yet 
firm in discipline, was a successful teacher many years. 
Master Jesse Stearns, the physical counterpart of Mr. 
Wilder, upright in bearing and incisive in manner, was em- 
ployed in several districts. His fame as a teacher is familiar 
to the traditions of several towns in this vicinity. These 
worthies were succeeded by Hosea Green, Eleazer Flint of 
Winchendon, Stephen Wyman of Ashby, Artemas Longley, 
Ebenezer Frost, Hon. William B. Washburn, Hon. Amasa 
Norcross and many natives of Ashburnham whose dis- 
tinguished labor will be noticed in the family registers. 

It has been stated that the first appropriation made for 
schools in 1767 was eight pounds. With the exception of 
the years 1768, 1769 and 1776, in which no appropriation 
was made for this purpose, the town raised twelve pounds 
annually until and including 1777. In 1778, £40; 1779, 



PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 345 

£200; 1780, £1000; 1781, £4000 were respectively voted, 
but on account of the rapid depreciation of the currency 
during the Revolution, the schools did not receive any sub- 
stantial benefit over the former years. For several years 
after the Revolution £50 was annually raised and then the 
amount was increased from year to year until in the year 
1800, $300 was appropriated, and the gradual increase to the 
present time is briefly represented in the sums raised through 
the decades of the present century : 1810, $400 ; 1820, 
$500 ; 1830, $500 ; 1840, $900 ; 1850, $1400 ; 1860, $1700 ; 
1870, $3000; 1880, $2800. From 1872 to 1875, $3500, 
and from 1880 to 1884, $3000 has been appropriated for the 
schools of the town. 

From the first the amount of school money was determined 
by the town, but the vote was only the united voice of the 
districts. The tax was assessed and collected by the officers 
of the town because they could most readily and accurately 
proportion the amount each person should pay, but the 
school money was received and expended by the agents of 
the districts. Beyond the slender assistance of the towns, 
the public schools, in their infancy, were not the growth of 
public support nor the creation of State legislation, ])ut were 
spontaneous in the several communities to meet the demands 
of each. Our common school system has clearly originated 
with the people. The perfection of our code of school laws 
rests in the fact that it is not creative but that it has rather 
seized and solidified the most advanced methods and the 
fullest measure of public sentiment. The law has seldom 
introduced new forms and unfamiliar methods, but has been 
content in the encouragement and support of those at once 
fiimiliar and approved by the people. The schools have con- 
tinually been in advance of the statutes. 



346 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

The settlers in the towns in this vicinity divided them- 
selves into communities of convenient proportions, which 
existed upon the slender authority of the town for sixty 
years before the law vested these school districts with cor- 
porate power. The towns, in behalf of the districts, con- 
tinued to raise money for the establishment and maintenance 
of schools a long time before there was any statute compel- 
ling an appropriation which had been uniformly and cheer- 
fully made. The town, and later the several districts, built 
school-houses and subsequently the law gave them permission 
to continue a laudable practice. The people in the capacity 
of a town chose " committees to visit and inspect the 
schools " many years before the statutes made mention of a 
superintending school committee. True, law has given uni- 
formity and perfection to our school system, but the whole 
of it has sprung from and has first been tested and approved 
by the people. 

Various methods for the division of the school money 
among the districts have been employed. A few years each 
district has received an equal share of the annual appropria- 
tion without regard to the tax paid by the district or the 
number of scholars attending school. This system was 
succeeded by a division according to the number of scholars 
and also on the basis of the wealth or the tax paid by each 
district. After a trial of one and then another of these 
antagonistic systems for several years, a compromise was 
adopted which led to an absolute division of the greater part 
and a discretionary division of the remainder of the school 
appropriation. 

From 1868 to 1875 the town maintained a high school 
one or more terms each year with a reasonable measure of 
success. The schools were assembled in the basement of 
the armory and in the school-houses in the first and eleventh 



PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 347 

districts. The teachers were Samuel J. Bullock, Melvin O. 
Adams, Charles E. Woodward, Fred W. Kussell, Francis 
A. Whitney, Martin H. Fiske, F. T. Beede, Mary A." 
Sawyer and E. A. Hartwell. 

Commencing with the inauguration of Gushing Academy 
in 1875, the youth of this town have enjoyed the benefit of 
a permanent high school. For several years the town paid 
one thousand dollars and at present is paying seven hundred 
dollars annually to the academy for the maintenance of a high 
school department without tuition from resident pupils. 

The prudential affairs of the districts, including the 
employment of the teachers, were conducted by the select- 
men until 1778. At this date the town proceeded to choose 
a prudential committee, or agent, for each district and con- 
tinued to exercise this authority for fifty years. Not until 
1828 were there any district organizations. The laws of 
1827 introduced many substantial improvements. By it the 
districts were permitted to assume the control of their local 
affairs, and towns were required to choose annually a com- 
mittee of supervision. Previous to this date the choice of 
a superintending committee was optional with the towns. 
Commencing at an early date three or more persons, styled 
"a committee to visit the schools," were chosen nearly every 
year, but under the operation of the new law the committee 
of supervision was vested with increased authority and 
dignity. 

The first committee " to view " the schools was chosen in 
1793. It included the minister, the selectmen and Joshua 
Smith, Stephen Randall, John Adams, Jacob Willard and 
Enos Jones. In the years immediately following, to Joseph 
Jewett, William Pollard, John Whiteman, Ezra Dana, 
William Stearns, Elisha White, Dr. Abraham Lowe, 
Thomas Adams, Timothy Crehore, Isaac Whitmore, Francis 



348 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Lane, Joshua Townsend, Amos Wetherbee and Samuel 
Wilder was committed the supervision of the schools. 

During the first decade of the present century there is no 
record of the election of a superintending committee. Com- 
mencing in 1811, with the exception of four years, from 
three to nine persons have been annually elected ; introduc- 
ing new names each year the roll of the committee is the 
register of a legion. The names of those who have served 
two or more years, the date of their first election and the 
term of service are appended : Rev. John Gushing, 1811 
(4) ; Caleb Wilder, 1811 (7) ; Jesse Stearns, 1811 (5) 
Ivers Jewett, 1811 (6) ; Dr. Abraham Lowe, 1811 (3) 
Jacob Harris, 1812 (2) ; George R. Cushing, 1813 (9) 
Caleb Ward, 1815 (3) ; Jacob Harris, Jr., 1816 (2) ; Dr 
Abraham T. Lowe, 1818 (2) ; Jonas Willard, 1818 (2) 
Charles Stearns, 1820 (3) ; Rev. George Perkins, 182G 
(4) ; Hosea Green, 1826 (2) ; Thomas Bennett, 1826 (2) 
Colonel Enoch Whitmore, 1826 (3) ; John C. Glazier, 1828 
(3) ; Gilman Jones, 1829 (2) ; Ebenezer Frost, 1829 (12) ; 
Rev. George Goodyear, 1833 (4) ; George G. Parker, 1833 
(2) ; Rev. John W. Case, 1835 (2) ; Dr. Nathaniel Pierce, 
1835 (3) ; Dr. William P. Stone, 1838 (3) ; Jerome 
W. Foster, 1839 (8); John A. Conn, 1841 (10); Elliot 
Moore, 1841 (3 ) ; William P. Ellis, 1845 (3) ;'Rev. Elna- 
than Davis, 1847 (3); Dr. Alfred Miller, 1848 (10); 
Rev. Josiah D. Crosby, 1850 (11); Francis A. Whitney, 
1850 (16) ; Edward S. Flint, 1855 (3) ; Levi W. Russell, 

1856 (2) ; Hosea F. Lane, 1857 (3) ; Charles W. Burrage, 

1857 (3) ; Albert H. Andrews, 1858 (4) ; Dr. L. L. Whit- 
more, 1860 (4) ; Henry Tuckerman, 1860 (3) ; John W. Fay, 

1860 (2); Asher Moore, 1860 (4); Ohio Whitney, Jr., 

1861 (3) ; Samuel Howard, 1862 (3) ; Dr. Theron Temple, 
1864 (3) ; Charles E. Woodward, 1865 (11) ; Dr. Harvey D. 



PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 349 

Jillson, 1867 (3); Rev. Daniel Wight, 1870 (3); Nathan 
Eaton, 1870 (8); Wilbur F. Whitney, 1870 (10); Rev. 
Leonard S. Parker, 1872 (5); Marshall Wetherbee, 1873 
(3) ; Charles F. Rockwood, 1876 ( 6 ) ; Prof. James E. Vose, 
1878 (3) ; Fred D. Lane, 1880 (5) ; Mrs. Mary S. Barrett, 
1880 (3). 



CHAPTER XIII. 

THE GUSHING ACADEMY. 

INCIDENTAL FEATURES OF THE ENDOWMENT. THE WILL OF THOMAS PARK- 
MAN GUSHING. THE TRUSTEES. PROGRESS OF EVENTS. WINCHES- 
TER SQUARE. THE EDIFICE. DEDICATION. THE SCHOOL FUND. 

JEWETT HALL. THE CROSBY SCHOLARSHIP. LIBRARY AND APPARATUS. 

PROFESSOR PIERCE. PROFESSOR VOSE. BOARD OF TRUSTEES, PAST 

AND PRESENT. 

The causes, which led to the endowment of Gushing 
Academy and its establishment in Ashburnham, are not 
adventitious. In the mission of the school the ministry of 
the father is renewed in the munificence of the son. Illib- 
eral and ungenerous would be the thought that by a single 
act of beneficence on the part of Thomas Parkman Gushing 
the academy bearing his name was founded. An impulse 
of princely benevolence without the means to sustain it, or 
the wisdom to direct its course, is unavailing. The pre- 
requisites to the endowment of Gushing Academy were a 
life of toil, supported by habits of frugality, and the wisdom 
displayed, in the conditions of the bequest, was the fruitful 
thought of a sagacious mind. When the youth left the 
parental roof engaging at an early age in the activities of 
life, the seminary was deferred only by the measure of a 
lifetime, and as often as his thought returned to the place 
of his nativity and the familiar scenes of his childhood, its 
location in Ashburnham was assured. 

350 



THE GUSHING ACADEMY. 35I 

The events of the past, the utility of the present and the 
possibilities of the future can be most clearly presented in 
an unpretentious narrative of what has been done and what 
is contemplated by the trustees who have faithfully and suc- 
cessfully executed the express desire and have created in 
substantial form the image of the matured thouo-ht of 
Thomas Parkman Gushing. With meteoric splendor, the 
Gushing Academy did not spring into existence. Like the 
sturdy oak its growth has been slow and solidified. Its 
character and features, cemented and hardened by the lapse 
of years, are strong and enduring. The visible origin of the 
institution is the will and testament of Mr. Gushing, dated 
July 30, 1850. In its provisions it is a most happy alliance 
of wisdom and philanthropy, of liberality and prudence. 
There is no shadow of an impulse. It is the language and 
it carries the impress of a conclusion. It is apparent that 
every clause of this beneficent document was formulated and 
clear in the mind of its author before it was written. Nor 
need we invoke the license of imagination to presume that 
on some of the hills in Ashburnham he was accustomed to 
behold in the clear lines of reality the completed edifice on 
which the thought of his mind was so vividly inclined ; that 
he beheld the established seats of learnino; shedding their 
beneficent rays of light and knowledge over a wide expanse 
of country, and that with his mind thus allied to the future, 
his appeal for the cooperation of others was the prayer of 
an earnest purpose that these influences should not fade with 
the lapse of years. 

The language of the testator in the eighteenth item of his 
will is evidence that his plans were fully matured and "that 
he was earnest upon the subject of education as the saving 
grace of the republic." 



352 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

And, whereas, it is tn}' opinion that the stability of our Laws, 
and the safety of our Government, the right direction of our 
Republican Institutions, the preservation of virtue, and of good 
morals : and, in short, the well-being and happiness of society, 
depend in a great degree upon the general diffusion of practical 
and useful knowledge among the people, I am particularly desi- 
rous of using a portion of the estate with which God has blessed 
me, for the promotion of so important an object as that of 
improving the education, and thus of strengthening and enlarging 
the minds of the rising and of future generations. Hoping that 
others having similar views and opinions, will hereafter cooperate 
with me towards effecting the same great and desirable end : my 
Will, therefore, further is. That two schools or seminaries of 
learning, shall be established and forever continued in my native 
town of Ashburnham, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts ; 
entirely distinct, and separated from each other by a distance of 
at least a quarter of a mile — the one for males of over ten years 
of age, and the other for females of over ten years of age. And 
for the foundation and endowment of these schools, I give to the 
Executors hereinafter named, and to their successors forever, in 
trust only, as follows. 

Following with unfailing precision of statement and having 
appealed to the cooperative philanthropy of others, the donor 
enumerates several specific bequests " for improving the 
education and thus strengthenino- and enlargins; the minds of 
the rising and of future generations." In regard to the 
magnitude of the bequest it is sufficient in this connection to 
state that in round numbers ninety-six thousand dollars was 
placed to the credit of the Gushing Academy immediately 
after its organization under the charter of 1865. The founder 
of our academy did not fiiil to provide for the future. With 
implicit confidence in "the judgment and discretion of the 
trustees " and in " the wisdom and foresight of the Legisla- 
ture " his advisory wishes are clearly set forth. 



THE GUSHING ACADEMY. 355 

And, in order to render the seminaries of learning herein estab- 
lished more efficient and extensively useful by an enlarged founda- 
tion, it is ray further Will that the Trustees hereinafter named, 
shall diligently and promptly invest the several sums herein given 
to them, in trust, as they may be realized, for the foundation of 
said seminaries in such fuiids and securities as they in their dis- 
cretion shall think best, and reinvest the income of the same during 
the period of ten years after my decease. When that period shall 
have elapsed, my further Will is, that the Trustees, hereinafter 
named, shall apply for, and obtain from the Legislature of this 
Commonwealth, a suitable Act of Incorporation or Charter, under 
which all the business and affairs of the schools herein founded 
may be conducted forever. The details of the Act, such as the 
number of Trustees under it, how they shall be appointed or 
elected, so as to insure as far as possible in perpetuity, a succession 
of honest, honorable, judicious and intelligent men ; the guards 
to be adopted to prevent the waste or loss of the property belong- 
ing to the institution, etc., etc., I leave to the good judgment and 
discretion of the Trustees hereinafter named, and to the wisdom 
and foresight of the Legislature. 

The trustees selected by the testator vs^ere Rev. Dr. Francis 
Wayland, a brother of his wife ; Hon. Heman Lincoln, who 
mari'ied his sister ; William D. Sohier, Esq., for many years 
his legal adviser ; and Hon. Charles G. Loring. Mr. Sohier 
resigning, the appointment of the remaining gentlemen was 
approved and the will confirmed by the Probate Court 
December 26, 1854. The immediate control of the fund was 
committed by his associates to Mr. Loring. In accordance 
with the express desire of Mr. Cushing, ten years having 
elapsed, an act of incorporation was secured in 1865, and the 
trustees of the will were succeeded by a board of trust 
created by the charter. 

The trustees, thirteen in number, with power to fill 
vacancies were as follows : Rev. Dr. Francis Wayland of 

23 



354 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Providence, R. I. ; Hon. Alexander H. Bullock of Worcester ; 
Rev. Josiah D. Crosby ; Rev. Asa Rand ; Hon. Ohio Whit- 
ney, Jr.; Jerome W. Foster, Esq., and George C. Win- 
chester of Ashburnham ; Dr. Abraham T. Lowe of Boston ; 
Ebenezer Torrey, Esq., Hon. Alvah Crocker and Hon. 
Amasa Norcross of Fitchburg ; Rev. Abijah P. Marvin and 
Isaac M. Murdock of Winchendon. At the organization of 
the board, September 6, 1865, Rev. Dr. Wayland was 
chosen president, Mr. Torrey treasurer and Rev. Mr. 
Crosby secretary. Upon the death of Rev. Dr. Wayland, 
he was succeeded by Governor Bullock July 10, 1867. 
As none of the original fund could be used for building 
purposes, the board of trust early decided to build whenever 
the accumulations would be found sufficient. Under the 
sagacious management of Mr. Loring and his able successor, 
Mr. Torrey, the fund accumulated beyond the most sanguine 
expectations. 

In the mean time the trustees clearly perceived that the 
school could be organized earlier, by several years, if only 
one edifice was erected. After mature deliberation, and 
mindful of the provision of the testator that while there 
was to be only one institution but accommodated in two 
school buildings, separated from each other by a distance at 
least of a quarter of a mile, they obtained the unqualified 
consent of the heirs and of the executors of the will to a 
modification of the plan of the founder in a single provision. 
The separate education of the sexes in schools and seminaries 
was more warmly advocated at the time the bequest was 
made than in later years. The tendency of public sentiment 
which probably influenced Mr. Gushing with equal force 
appealed in another direction to the board of trust. 

In 1873 the accumulation of the fund was found sufficient 
to meet the expense of a suitable school edifice, and while 



THE GUSHING ACADEMY. 355 

the location of the building was under consideration, the 
question was happily solved l)y the liberality of George C. 
Winchester who presented the corporation the site of the 
institution with ample grounds for the accommodation of the 
school which, in appreciative recognition of the donor, has 
received the name of "Winchester Square." 

The academy and the square having other names would be 
held in less esteem. The park and the building are a memo- 
rial of the first and the second ministers of Ashburnham. 
The analogy is complete. Rev. Jonathan Winchester laid 
the foundations of a church and defined a field of labor. 
Rev. John Gushing builded in fair proportions on a site 
selected and a structure begun. These venerable names, 
living in the memories and history of the town, are together 
perpetuated through the thoughtful tributes of their 
descendants. 

While under the general control of the board of trustees, 
the construction of the school edifice was referred to George 
C. Winchester, Ebenezer Torrey and Jerome W. Foster. 
In 1871 Ohio Whitney, who was the efificient superintendent 
of construction, was chosen to fill a vacancy caused by the 
death of Mr. Foster. The entire cost of the building and 
the furniture was $92,611.75. 

The material of the building, one hundred and thirty-two 
feet in length and fifty-two feet in width, is granite and 
brick. Above a light and commodious basement of granite 
are two spacious stories of brick with granite trimmings, 
sunnounted by a Mansard roof which encloses a principal 
hall extending the length and breadth of the building. 
There are projecting turrets at .the corners and a lofty 
central tower which contains a heavy bell and an expensive 
clock. In symmetry of outline, in elegance and thorough- 
ness of construction and in the convenience of all its appoint- 



356 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

ments, the edifice of the Gushing Academy is equalled ])y 
none in this vicinity. Facing the rising sun, and overlook- 
ing the village and the spreading valley below, it occupies a 
commanding site and will long remain a conspicuous figure 
in the landscape and in the continued annals of the town. 
The building was mainly completed during the year 1874. 
It was substantially furnished the following season and 
dedicated September 7, 1875. Addresses were delivered by 
Governor Bullock, president, and by Rev. Mr. Crosby, 
Rev. Mr. Marvin, Hon. Amasa Norcross and Professors 
Hubbard and Thompson of the board of trust. A liberal 
course of study had been arranged and the school was opened 
the following day. 

The accumulating Gushing fund, after meeting the cost of 
construction of the school edifice, was found in November, 
1876, to be $120,542.34, and since that date the fund 
remains unimpaired, the income only being used for the 
maintenance of the school. 

The spacious dwelling, appropriately named Jewett Hall, 
and now employed in the accommodation of instructors and 
pupils connected with the school, was presented to the cor- 
poration by Gharles Hastings, and the Grosby house on Cen- 
tral street was donated by Rev. Josiah D. Grosby to found, 
in memory of his wife, the Elvira W. Grosby scholarship. 

A library of nearly two thousand volumes, including 
generous donations from Dr. A. T. Lowe of Boston and 
from several residents of this town, has been collected and 
will become of inestimable service to the school. The 
apparatus for scientific illustration and experiment is annu- 
ally increasing. Prominent in this department is a valuable 
telescope, presented by J. H. Fairbanks of Fitchburg. 

The mission of Gushing Academy is scarce begun. Its 
brief history, if conspicuous and honorable, fades in the 



a 



> 

a 



§5 



CQ 
02 




THE GUSHING ACADEMY. 357 

lio-ht and warmth of its hopes and its aspirations. These 
pages are annals of the past. The face of this youthful, vig- 
orous institution is turned the other way. Situated in a 
broad field, with a rapidly increasing patronage, and bear- 
ing the confidence of the public, it enters upon its second 
decade with hope and courage. 

The first principal of Gushing Academy was Edwin 
Pierce, A. M., who continued in charge four years, and 
whose name is honorably' associated with the initial history 
of the institution. The excellent reputation of Professor 
Pierce as a scholar and an able instructor led the board of 
trustees to solicit his services and to his care they confided 
the school with unlimited confidence. In character, in purity 
of motives and in faithful, earnest endeavors to carry the 
school through the exacting ordeal of its inauguration, the 
confidence of the trustees was not misplaced. In the prog- 
ress of his labors in this institution it gradually became 
apparent to Professor Pierce and to the board of trustees 
that they were not in full sympathy in regard to discipline 
and that there was a failure of cooperation on the part of 
all the friends of the academy. With the universal confi- 
dence and respect of the community, Mr. Pierce retired 
fi-om labors auspiciously begun in June, 1879. From the 
first he was recognized as a cultured gentleman and in all 
his relations with the school and with the people he was 
frank, sincere and honorable. 

Edwin Pierce, son of Dana and Diadema (Paul) Pierce, 
was born at Barnard, Vermont, June 25, 1826. He pur- 
sued a preparatory course of stud}'^ at Woodstock, Vermont, 
and at Kimball .Union Academy, Meriden, New Hampshire, 
and was graduated at Dartmouth College 1852. The sue- 
ceeding four years he was instructor of Latin and Greek at 
Seneca Collegiate Institute, Ovid, New York. From 1856 



358 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

to 1863 he was professor of Latin and Greek at Yellow 
Spring College, Iowa ; his connection with that institution 
was severed by its decline at the outbreak of the Rebellion. 
During the succeeding eight years he successfully taught a 
private school in Jersey City, New Jersey, and later he 
taught the classics in the High School of Cleveland, Ohio, 
until he became connected with Cushing Academy. He 
now resides at West Newton, Massachusetts. 

Professor Pierce was succeeded by Professor Vose who 
has been a member of the faculty since the opening of the 
academy. During the past six years he has continued the 
efficient principal of the school and his successful administra- 
tion has been a continued season of prosperity. His service 
to the school and to the cause of education cannot be esti- 
mated until the remaining chapters are added and his labor 
is completed. 

Prof. James E. Vose, son of Edward L. and Aurelia 
(Wilson) Vose of Antrim, New Hampshire, was born July 
18, 1836. His life has been devoted to educational pursuits. 
He has had charge of several institutions of learning and 
was principal of Francestown (New Hampshire) Academy 
two years immediately preceding his removal to this town. 
He is the author of an English Grammar, and in 1877 he 
delivered the Centennial Address at Antrim w^hich is pub- 
lished in the History of that town. 

Of the persons who constituted the original board of trust 
only four now remain. The term of service and the date of 
appointment of the trustees are briefly stated : 

Francis Wayland, 1865, died 1867. 

Alexander H. Bullock, 1865, resigned 1876. 

Josiah D. Crosby, 1865. 

Asa Rand, 1865, died 1871. 

Ohio Whitney, Jr., 1865, died 1879. 



THE GUSHING ACADEMY. 359 



Jerome W. Foster, 


1865, died 1871. 


George C. Winchester, 


1865, resigned 1882. 


Abraham T. Lowe, 


1865. 


Ebenezer Torrey, 


1865. 


Alvah Crocker, 


1865, died 1874. 


Amasa Norcross, 


1865. 


Abijah P. Marvin, 


1865, resigned 1880. 


Isaac M. Murdock, 


1865, died 1875. 


George H. Barrett, 


1873. 


Leonard S. Parker, 


1874. 


Eli A. Hubbard, 


1874, resigned 1879. 


Charles 0. Thompson, 


1875, resigned 1882. 


B. K. Pierce, 


1879. 


George F. Stevens, 


1879. 


Francis A. Whitney, 


1879. 


Orlando Mason, 


1880. 


Charles Winchester, 


1882. 


Henry M. Tyler, 


1882. 


George P. Davis, 


1882. 


Presidents : 




Rev. Dr. Way land. 


1865-1867. 


Gov. Bullock, 


1867-1876. 


Dr. Lowe, 


1876. 


Vice-Preside7its : 




Gov. Bullock, 


1865-1867. 


Hon. Amasa Norcross, 


1867. 


Treasurers : 




E. Torrey, Esq., 


1865-1876. 


Hon. Ohio Whitney, 


1876-1879. 


G. F. Stevens, Esq., 


1879. 


Clerks : 




Rev. J. D. Crosby, 


1865-1876. 


Col. Geo. H. Barrett, 


1876. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

BOUNDARIES. 

DONATIONS or LAND TO OTHER TOWNS. ORIGINAL AREA. — PROVINCE LINE. 

INCORPORATION OF ASHBY. GARDNER. AREA SEVERED FROM ASH- 

BURNHAM. THE FAMILIES. LAND ANNEXED TO ASHBY. THE PETI- 
TIONERS. ASHBURNHAM RESISTS. NEW BOUNDARIES. THE FAMILIES. 

ANEW TOWN PROPOSED. MEETING-HOUSE BUILT. RENEWED EFFORT 

AND OPPOSITION. JOHN WARD AND WILLIAM BARRELL ANNEXED. 

PETITION OF GEORGE WILKER AND OTHERS. 

Encroachment upon the borders of this town has been a 
favorite pursuit of our neighbors. Four considerable tracts 
of land have been severed from the original township, and 
other attempts have been successfully resisted. Our fathers 
could spare the laud such as it was, and no doubt both the 
donors and the recipients wished it had been better, but the 
loss of several worthy citizens was a more serious considera- 
tion. According to the surveys of the several grants the 
original township contained twenty-seven thousand one 
hundred and ninety acres. The early surveys were of liberal 
proportions. The wilderness from which the grants were 
severed was large and there was no one to protect the 
province from excessive measurements. The actual area of 
this township was very nearly thirty-one thousand acres. 
The first encroachment upon our domain of fair proportions 
was by the province of New Hampshire in 1741. By this 
act eight hundred and seventy-seven acres were severed from 
Dorchester Canada. The incorporation of Ashby severed 

360 



BOUNDARIES. 361 

about fifteen hundred acres from the area of this town. 
The proceedings • were so intimately connected with the in- 
corporation of Ashburnham that they were admitted in an 
earlier chapter of these annals. 

The erection of a new town out of parts of Ashburnham, 
Westminster, Templeton and Winchendon was earnestly 
debated and the preliminaries arranged as early as 1774. 
In the intent of the petitioners, in the generous impulse of 
the remaining portions of the several towns, in the general 
policy of the General Couil to increase the number of the 
towns in the province, in the spirit of the event, Gardner is 
a decade older than the number of its years. The Revolution 
delayed but did not defeat the project. In the dawn of 
returning peace it was successfully renewed. So far as the 
action of Ashburnham is concerned, the suggestion of a new 
town near the close of the Revolution was not presented as a 
new measure, but as a continuation of the proceedings 
begun several years earlier. In 1774, or eleven years before 
Gardner was incorporated, the town " voted that the 
petitioners from Westminster and other towns be so far 
answered in their petition as to take the lands, after named, 
from this town beoinnino; at the northwest corner of Kelton's 
lot, number 46, second division, and running from thence on 
a straight line to the southeast corner of William Ames' lot, 
number 55, in the second division, and the said corner of 
land is voted off to join with the other towns to be incor- 
porated into a district."' 

Referring to this vote it was proposed in 1781, "To see if 
the town would vote off two ranges of lots in addition to 
what was formerly voted off in the southwest corner." 
Whereupon the town. May 21, 1781, amended the former 
vote but added only a small part of the two ranges included 
in the proposition. 



362 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Voted that the southwest corner of this town be set off to join 
with a part of Westminster and Winchendon into a separate town 
as far as the following lots viz. : beginning at the northwest 
corner of lot number 45, second division ; from thence by the 
north line of said lot to the northeast corner of said lot ; from 
thence straight to the northeast corner of lot number 55, second 
division ; thence by the east line of said lot to Westminster town 
line. Including 2348 acres. 

The point of beginning, as defined by this vote, is about 
eighty rods north of the point established in 1774. The 
other terminus in Westminster line is the same in both votes. 
When Gardner was incorporated fouV years later the land 
severed from Ashburnham, and consequently the line then 
established between the two towns, coincided at all points 
with the line defined in the last vote of this town. In later 
years the line has been broken at two points, at least, for the 
accommodation of individuals. The records of Ashburnham 
in this connection define only one of the boundary lines of 
the territory severed from this town. If the existing lines 
between Ashburnham and Winchendon and between Ash- 
burnham and Westminster be extended, the former southerly 
and the latter southwesterly, they will meet at Gardner 
Centre, and with the former line will enclose the triangular 
area that, until 1785, was a part of Ashburnham. Con- 
cerning the number of acres included within these lines the 
doctors disagree. Rev. Dr. Cushing, in his historical dis- 
course, estimates it at four thousand acres. To the record 
of the vote the town clerk has appended, "including 2348 
acres." This amount is too small but it is much nearer 
exactness than the more liberal conjecture of Mr. Cushing. 

Ashburnham, still rich in the extent of its territor}^ could 
easily afford the lands donated to the new town, but the loss 
of several worthy citizens from the municipal community 



BOUNDARIES. 363 

was a more important consideration. The families residing 
on the area severed from this town were in themselves and 
have continued in their descendants a material element of the 
character and population of Gardner. 

Captain Samuel Kelton came from Needham to this town 
1778, and settled on land belonging to the heirs of Edward 
Kelton who was an early proprietor of right number 47, and 
afterwards of right number 49. The eminent services of 
Captain Kelton are noticed in another connection. He 
resided on the northern part of the land set off to Gardner 
and near the line of Winchendon. In 1785 his family com- 
prised a wife and three or four children. One child died in 
this town November 30, 1780. 

Mai-vi-ick Hill, from Medway, and five sons, three of whom 
had families, resided in this town several years before theu* 
farms were annexed to Gardner. Moses Hill, the eldest son, 
had four children in 1785, and in the family of Jesse Hill, 
another son of Marvrick, were three or four children. Mr. 
Cushing has left the record of the baptism of James Marvrick 
and Thomas Adams, sons of Moses Hill, and Enos and 
AVilliam, sons of Samuel Kelton, baptized at the house of 
Mr. Hill, at a lecture. In another connection Mr. Cushing 
refers to " the lecture at Mr. Hill's in the southwest part."^ 
In these families there were probably twenty-two persons. 

Josiah Wilder removed to this town from Sterling about 
1776. His wife and one child died in 1782, and he married, 
second, February 4, 1784, Joanna Baker. He was a distant 
relative of other families of same name in this town. Three 
children were living in 1785. 

Jonas Richardson came from Shrewsbury in 1781, and was 
admitted to the church in Ashburuham October 21 of that 
year. In 1785 his family consisted of his wife and eight 
children, the eldest thirteen years of age. 



364 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

John White was born in Lexington, June 1, 1748, and 
settled in the east part of the tract annexed to Gardner about 
six years before the incorporation of that town. There were 
three children in 1785. 

Peter Goodale was born in Shrewsbury, December 12, 
1751. He was married in the north parish of Shrewsbury, 
now West Boylston, March 9, 1775, and their eldest child 
was born there December 23, 1775. Soon after the last 
date the famih^ removed to this town. They had four 
children when Gardner was incorporated. 

Scarcely had Ashburnham generousl}^ and good-humoredly 
contributed materially to the creation of Gardner before 
another draft was made upon its domain and inhabitants. 
This time, the attack was made upon the opposite corner of 
the town. In the end it w^as vigorously opposed. The 
original line of Ashby extended from an existing town 
bound on Blood or Prospect hill, nearly due north to the 
State line. For twenty-five years the northeast corner of 
Ashburnham was nearly two miles east of the present corner. 
A number of fiimilies in this part of the toAvn for several 
years had not been in sympathy with a majority of the town 
in the support of the ministry. And as soon as a new meet- 
ing-house was proposed their slumbering discontent was 
fanned in open revolt. In the spring of 1791, under the 
leadership of John Abbott, they signified to Ashby a desire 
to be annexed to that town. Ashby promptly responded in 
a vote " to receive Isaac Whitney, Josiah Burgess, James 
Pollard, James Bennett, Joseph Damon, Jeremiah Abbott, 
John Hall, Daniel Brown, John Abbott, Amos Brooks, 
John Shattuck and others with their lands together with the 
non-resident land within the bounds of a plan that they shall 
exhibit to the town if they can be legally annexed to this 
town." The followino; month a meetins; was convened in 



BOUNDARIES. 365 

this town " To hear the petition of Ensign John Abbott and 
others requesting to be voted off with fourteen hundred 
acres of land to be annexed to Ash by if the town see fit." 
The town did not see fit. The petitioners were answered 
with a cold and unqualified refusal. Undaunted, they 
renewed their solicitation and caused another meeting to be 
called in the autumn of the same year. At this stage of the 
proceedings the town attempted to crush the revolt by paci- 
fying the leader of it and proceeded to " vote ofi" " about five 
hundred acres including the homestead and other lands of 
Mr. Abbott. The proposed compromise was a failure. 
The petitioners refusing to accept the proposition renewed 
their original demands and secured another town meeting 
early in the spring of 1792. Again the town refused to 
grant their petition. It is plain the petitioners were depre- 
ciating in the good opinion of the town. The gentleman, 
whom they styled at the outset as Ensign John Abbott, is 
now called Mr. John Abbott and soon after he was degraded 
to plain John Abbott. Another town meeting was called 
in May, 1792, at which the town " voted to oppose any 
families or land being taken from this town and annexed to 
Ashby more than was voted off at a former meeting and that 
the representative act in behalf of the town in that matter 
at the General Court, — the vote being unanimous except 
seven persons and those were petitioners for being set off." 

The issues were now sharply defined and the controversy 
was transferred to the Legislature. Samuel Wilder, Abra- 
ham Lowe and Jacob Willard were chosen to remonstrate 
with the Legislature against this encroachment upon the 
territory of the town. Jacob Willard, also, was the repre- 
sentative at this time. The earnest effort of the town and 
its agents in opposition to the measure was met with defeat. 
The act, severing the land of the petitioners from this town. 



366 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

was passed November 1(3, 1792. By the terms of the act 
the northeast corner of Ashburnham on the State line was 
established five hundred and four rods west of the former 
bound and at land of James Spaulding. The dividing line 
from the new corner extended southerly by the east line of 
James Spaulding one hundred and forty-five rods, and 
thence southeasterly eight hundred and seventy rods to the 
line of Ashby. Henry Hall, Sen., who lived within these 
limits, did not join in the petition. His farm was divided 
by this proposed line and by a special clause in the act all 
his land remained in this town. 

If the purpose of the Legislature had been faithfully 
executed the dividing line between Ashburnham and Ashby 
would have been located between Ward and Watatic ponds 
and would have annexed to Ashby a larger area than was 
subsequently included within the established bounds. 
When the line was run southeasterly from the State line, 
local attraction at the base of Watatic mountain caused a 
variation of the needle, deflecting the course to the east. 
Giving a liberal construction to the act of the Legislature, 
the line was run straight to Blood or Prospect hill. The 
selectmen of Ashburnham and Ashby in a joint report 
informed their respective towns, "That when we came to 
the easterly corner of Potatuck hill a mine drawed the 
needle and ran between Henry Hall Jr.'s house and barn 
and came to the old line between Ashburnham and Ashby 
on a hill called Prospect hill and erected a stake and stones." 
The line here described, which was run according to the 
needle and not according to law, has been maintained to the 
present time ; the only exception being a slight change to 
restore to Ashburnham a part of the farm of Lemuel Whit- 
ney, formerly of Henry Hall, Jr., which had been divided 
by the new line. The hidden mine at the base of Watatic 



BOUNDARIES. 367 

saved the town many acres of liind. It is the only mine in 
Ashburnham that has been successfully operated. At the 
beginning it was worked for all it was worth and possibly 
its resources were early exhausted. 

The families transferred to Ashby included those of John 
Abbott, five children ; Jeremiah Abbott, two children ; 
Daniel Brown, three children ; James Bennett, two children ; 
John Hall, one child ; Amos Brooks, eight children ; Isaac 
Whitney, four children ; Judah Whitney, one child ; the 
widow of Ephraim Whitney, two children ; James Pollard, 
John Shattuck and Joseph Damon. 

The remorseless knife of the General Court, which three 
times had clipped a considerable tract from the corners of 
the township, was next brandished over the peaceful hamlets 
in the southeast part of the town. These depredations on 
the borders were becoming a most serious matter. The 
original pentagonal township, with its sharp, projecting 
corners, would soon be trimmed to a diminutive circle if 
the process was not stayed. The project of creating a new 
town out of adjoining portions of Ashburnham, Westmin- 
ster, Fitchburg and Ashby, now buried beneath the accu- 
mulating dust of ninety years, was bold and aggi-essive. 
The measure was forwarded with ability, but was crushed 
beneath the united opposition of the four adjoining towns. 
A list of the names of the persons engaged in the enterprise, 
and living within the limits of the proposed township, has 
been preserved. It bears the names of thirty citizens of 
Fitchburg, sixteen of Westminster, six of Ashburnham and 
two of Ashby. Eight, and possibly more, names were 
added previous to 1791 and one or more of these resided 
in Ashburnham. The movement originated in 1785. 

The petitioners continued their solicitations and the town 
a persistent opposition until the beginning of the present 



368 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

century. In the mean time the petitioners adopted a limited 
organization and built a meeting-house and laid out a com- 
mon in anticipation of securing from the Legislature the 
desired act of incorporation. The meeting-house was built 
by voluntary contributions. The long list of pledges for 
the material presents a bewildering assortment of sills, 
beams, posts, girts, rafters, boards, shingles, nails, a little 
money, and other donations, to forward the undertaking. 
There was also a special subscription in labor and stimulat- 
inff material to assist in framing and raisino- the buildino- — 
containing pledges for one hundred and fifty-eight days labor 
at framing, seventy-five at raising, a few modest sums of 
money, twenty-four bushels of rye, one hundred and fifty- 
eight quarts of rum and forty-five gallons of cider. With 
Landlords Cooper and Upton living hard by in case of a 
failure of any of the supplies, these doughty church builders, 
surveying their situation with complacency, entered on their 
records, "enough has been subscribed to raise and cover 
the meeting-house except a part of the boards and shingles." 
In 1789, with spirit and understanding, as long as the last 
requisite remained, they raised a frame forty-five feet square. 
Two years were consumed in fitful efforts in completing the 
outside. The interior was never fully completed. The 
building, profanely called the Lord's barn standing in plain 
view on Cooper hill in Westminster, was a familiar object 
for many years. At a late day, it has been suggested that 
the impulse which led to the building of this house was a 
failure of sympathy with the creed of the surrounding 
churches. The most reliable information leads to the con- 
clusion that they were adherents to the prevailing creed and 
could not fairly be considered as an association of dissenters. 
Their first effort to obtain preaching was a vote extending an 
invitation to the Orthodox ministers in Ashburnham, Winch- 



BOUNDARIES. 369 

endon, Westminster, Fitchburg and Lunenburg to preach 
to them. Many of the leading men in this enterprise were 
members of the standing order in the several towns in which 
they lived. Not organizing a church as they anticipated at 
the outset, their original relations were continued until dis- 
solved by death. 

Joshua Billings, Joseph Gibbs and Reuben Rice were 
members of the church in Ashburnham, and so was John 
Ward who lived over the line in Westminster. Even under 
the unyielding discipline of the time, their association with 
this movement did not provoke the censure of the church. 
The Lord's barn and its builders were orthodox. Of itself 
the old meeting-house in Westminster has little connection 
with the history of this town ; but as a part of a more com- 
prehensive project, as the first step towards the incorporation 
of the proposed town of Belvoir, it caused our fathers gi-eat 
alarm. The erection of an unpretentious building was of 
little moment, but this persistent attempt to slice a corner 
from the town greatly irritated the good citizens of Ash- 
burnham. Four town meetings were called at an early date 
to oppose the movement. Samuel Wilder, Jacob Willard 
and John Adams were chosen to confer with the other towns 
and Joseph Jewett, Jacob Willard and John Adams were 
Instructed to oppose the petitioners at the General Court. 

The residents of Ashburnham included in this movement 
were Joseph Gibbs, Joshua Billings, Reuben Rice, Jonathan 
Winchester, Thomas Gibson and Silas Whitney. The 
scheme was revived in 1815 when forty-two petitioned for a 
town to be called Vernon. The following year a new 
petition bearing ninety-eight names was considered hy the 
General Court and a public hearing was ordered. This 
time the petitioners suggested the name of Belvoir for the 
proposed town. Town meetings were promptly called and 

24 



370 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Elisha White, George R. Gushing and Joseph Jewett were 
selected to oppose the Vernon petition. The Bel voir 
petition was successfully resisted by Elisha White, Thomas 
Hobart and Abraham Lowe, and thus ended a contest which 
had been continued over thirty years. From beginning to 
end the arguments of the petitioners were the same and 
stated with little change of language. The last petition 
was as follows : 

The petition of the nndersigued inhabitants of Fitchburg, West- 
minster, Ashburnham and Ashby humbly sheweth that whereas 
your petitioners are situated quite distant from the meeting-houses 
in the towns to which we respectively belong (especially in West- 
minster aud Fitchburg, some in the former town living at the 
distance of seven miles from the meeting-house), and the land on 
which we live formed as if nature itself intended it for connection, 
and the interests of those living in the remaining parts of the towns, 
especially in Fitchburg and Westminster, being in many and most 
respects totally different from ours, it is therefore the prayer of 
3'our petitioners that the General Court would be pleased to incor- 
porate us into a distinct and separate town b}^ the name of 
Belvoir. 

But Vernon and Belvoir found little support on Beacon 
hill. The little town with euphonious titles, so clearly out- 
lined in the hopes and imagination of the petitioners, was 
destined to slumber in the gloom of defeat. Ashburnham 
was not only successful but recovered cost with the verdict. 
About this time the farms of John Ward and William Bar- 
rell and a considerable tract of non-resident land was severed 
from Westminster and annexed to this town. 

Only one attempt to secure a change of the boundaries of 
the town occurred after this date. In 1827 Georo^e Wilker 
and twelve others, residing in the eastern part of the town, 
petitioned the Legislature to annex to Ashby all the land in 



BOUNDARIES. 371 

Ashburnliani lying east of a straight line extending from the 
northwest to the southwest corner of Ashby. Henry Adams, 
Charles Barrett and Hosea Stone were chosen to remonstrate 
in the name of the town. The following year the petition 
was renewed and the Legislature sent a committee to view 
the premises. The town chose Joseph Jewett, Charles 
Barrett and Stephen Marble to confer with the committee. 
The measure was defeated, at an adjourned session of the 
Legislature, 1828. 



CHAPTER XV. 

ROADS AND RAILROADS. 

THE PRIMITIVE KOADS. THE NORTHFIELD ROAD. — EARLY ROADS IN ASH- 

BORNHAM. THE GREAT ROAD TO IPSWICH CANADA. A COUNTY ROAD. 

ROAD TO ASHBY LINE. NEW ROADS. THE TOWN INDICTED. OTHER 

COUNTY ROADS. SOUTH TURNPIKE. THE WINCHENDON ROAD AMENDED. 

TURNPIKES. TEAMING. EXPENDITURE. ROAD COMMISSIONERS. 

RAILROADS. 

Like the veins in the human system centring at the heart, 
the primitive roads of every town had a general tendency 
towards the meeting-house. It was not until the movement 
of surplus production gave additional employment to the 
roads that much attention was paid to any outward facilities. 
The early roads of Ashburnham were for the benefit of the 
settlers within the town. The only roads which offered any 
suggestions for the accommodation of the surrounding towns 
were built under the commands of the court and in opposition 
to the will of a majority of the inhabitants. These roads 
from the first were styled County roads, and to keep them 
in repair a separate tax was assessed and special surveyors 
were chosen. The family of Jeremiah Foster rode into town 
in a cart drawn by oxen. The chaise in which rode the wife 
of Rev. Mr. Cushing on her wedding journey from West- 
borough to her future home could proceed no farther than 
Fitchburg and the remainder of the way was performed on 
horseback. But a general knowledge of these early times 
will present a good idea of the first roads in this town. So 

372 



ROADS AND RAILROADS. 373 

far as any have been better or poorer than the average road 
of the time the fact will appear. If the number of roads m 
the early history of the town excites surprise, it should be 
remembered that every settler demanded one leading from 
his clearing to some existing road. With a reasonable 
estimate of those built within the independent grants previous 
to 1765, of which there is no record, it appears that no less 
than forty-five roads were laid out in this town previous to 
the Revolution. Many of these were only a continuation of 
an existing road or the substitution of a more feasible route, 
and in the mean time a considerable number were discon- 
tinued. 

While Ashburnham remained a part of the vast wilderness 
of unappropriated land, bounded on the south by Townsend, 
Lunenlmrg and Westminster, and on the east and west by 
the settlements in the valleys of the Merrimack and Connec- 
ticut rivers, the road from Lunenburg to Northfield was cut 
through the forest. The distance was forty-two miles and it 
was constructed about 1733. John Fitch, in a petition to 
the General Court, states that in 1739 he settled on the 
Northfield road seven miles above Lunenburg. Mr. Fitch 
settled where Paul Gates now resides, in the southern part 
of Ashby. The petition establishes the location of the road 
at that point, and the account of the Cambridge and the 
Bellows or Bluefield grants in Chapter I. affords additional 
information in regard to its course through this town and 
the date of its construction. This ancient road entered Ash- 
burnham north of Russell hill and near the point where the 
new road from Rindge to Fitchburg crosses the Ashby line. 
It continued through Lexington farm and north of Mount 
Hunger and northwesterly through the Bluefield grant into 
the north part of Winchendon. When the proprietors of 
Dorchester Canada established the boundary lines and came 



374 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

into possession of the township, they found this road already 
opened and extending through their graiit. 

In 1752 a road was proposed from a point now in Ashby 
" along to the southward of Watatuck hill to the Bluetield 
road so called." Other mention of the Bluefield road gives 
no additional information in regard to its location at any 
point in its course through this town. In its westward 
course through the northern part of Winchendon it was 
sometimes called the Earlington road, for the reason that the 
grant of land adjoining Northfield was frequently called 
Earlington, or more correctly Arlington, now Winchester, 
New Hampshire. The road was constructed by the Wil- 
lards, Bellows and Boyntons of Lunenburg to forward the 
settlement of that grant. The first road proposed by the 
proprietors of Ipswich Canada was " from Earlington to the 
meeting-house lot," meaning from some point in the Earling- 
ton or Northfield road to the meeting-house lot. At the 
next meeting they offered six pounds " to such proprietor as 
shall cut a horse way from Earlington road to the meeting- 
house lot." These two votes are parcels of the same project. 
The magnificent suggestion in the History of Winchendon 
that the first vote contemplated a road from Northfield to 
Ipswich Canada is extravagant. In the first vote supply the 
omission of the word " road " after Earlington , then the two 
votes are consistent. In any other light the worthies of 
Winchendon are found l^uildino; a road from the meetino- 
house lot to Earlington and supplementing it with a road 
from the same point to the Earlington road. 

The records do not define the location of some of the 
earliest roads in this town, but a considerable sum of money 
was expended for this purpose during the infancy of the set- 
tlement. The first road, which can be definitely located, 
was between the saw-mill and " the place Avhere the meeting- 



ROADS AND RAILROADS. 375 

house is to stand as strait as the hind will allow of." The 
first road of considerable length would naturally be some 
inlet from the lower towns. In 1742 a committee was 
chosen "to clear what is absolutely necessary in the eastern 
road already laid out and to see if a better road could be 
found out to Lunenburg." In 1743 " Edward Hartwell, 
Esq., and Mr. Andrew Wilder" were paid for marking out 
a road from the meeting-house to the west line. 

In 1753 increased sums of money were paid to committees 
and laborers on account of the roads, but without reference 
to their location. The same year appears an article "to see 
if it would be agreeable to the proprietors to have the great 
road leading to Ipswich Canada and Royalshire six rods 
wide, as it is likely to be the principal road to the upper 
western towns and Albany." However agreeable it might 
have been to secure a road of such ambitious proportions, 
the proprietors voted they would not do it, and it is possible 
Albany never heard of it. The truth is, the proprietors so 
long delayed the building of any suitable road to the line of 
Ipswich Canada, that soon after this date the aid of the 
court was invoked and a county road was built. In the 
midst of these proceedings, with a buoyancy of spirit that 
approaches audacity, the proprietors vote to perfect all the 
roads in the township. 

In 1758, and in succeeding years, with little change in the 
form of expression, an agent is chosen "to oversee those that 
shall be employed in working at the road, that they are 
foithful in their service and have no more allowed them than 
they deserve." In 1761 it was ordered "that the same com- 
mittee, that laid out the road from the meeting-house to Mr. 
Winter's, proceed to lay out said road till it comes to the 
road by Mr. James Colman's house, excepting where it 
goeth through Stoger's farm, so called." Stoger's farm is 



376 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

another name for Lexington grant or the Dutch farms. The 
proprietors were unable to tax the settlers on this or the 
other grants and were justly excused from building any roads 
through them. Andrew Winter lived near the west line of 
Lexington grant and James Coleman's house was near the 
Stacy mill in Ashby. In 1761 there was a division of the 
highway tax ; six pounds was expended on the county road, 
nine pounds in the south part and four and one-half pounds 
in the north part of the township. 

No sooner had the settlement assumed the dignity of a 
town than the building and maintenance of the roads became 
familiar subjects of legislation. Within two years fourteen 
roads were laid out by the selectmen and accepted by the 
town. Others followed in rapid succession. While many 
of these original roads now constitute a part of the existing 
highways they have been so many times extended and 
amended that their identity is buried beneath the weight of 
continued record. The first road laid out by the selectmen 
was from a point now in Ashby to meet a road south of the 
Reservoir pond : 

June 27, 1765. We theu Laid out a Road from Fitchburg Line 
through Bridge Farm and then the marks are on the West and 
South side of the Road to Stephen Ames'es. 

N. B. The above said Road Runs through Lexington Farm, 
so Caled. 

The bounds are generally stated in very indefinite terms, 
but a majority of them were said to end at the meeting-house 
or in some road leading to it which assists in locating very 
many of them. 

Laid out a road from Samuel Fellows Juner to the meeting 
House Running North Through Wetherbees Laud and Williams 
Land and Stones Land and Turning Northerly on Stones Land 



ROADS AND RAILROADS. 377 

and Dickersons Land and Sampsons Land and Oaks Land and 
Wheelers Land and Common Land till it comes to the publick 
meeting House, is two Rods wide and marked on the easterly side 
of said Road. 

The general course of the above road recorded in 1765 is 
stated, but like many others its location at intermediate 
points cannot now be determined. In some instances, like 
the following, the care of a road was assumed by the town 
without the intervention of the selectmen : 

The town excepted Mr. Melvins Road, sd Road runs from 
Nathan Melvin's by Willi'" Benjamhis and through Creehor's Lot 
and through Simeon Willards Lot & Oliver Willards Lot, and 
through Mr. Whitemoor's Lot through Elisha Coolidge's Lot to 
Bluefield Road sd. Road is two Rod wide and marked on y" 
Northerly side. 

The first county road was not a voluntary enterprise, and 
probably it was not maintained with any degree of enthu- 
siasm. In 1773 parties residing in adjoining towns secured 
its indictment. The town "chose Samuel Wilder, Esq., to 
make answer to the Court of General Sessions of the Peace 
to be holden at Worcester the last Tuesday of March instant 
to an Indictment found against the said Town by the grand 
Inquest for the body of said county, for not mending or 
keeping in repair the County road or King's Highway from 
Winchendon Town line to the meetino;-house in Ashburn- 
ham." 

The descriptive portion of the indictment affords some 
information of the condition of the road. The Court Kecords 
declare that it "was founderous, miry and rocky, encum- 
bered with great stones, deep mud, stumps and roots and 
destitute of necessary bridges whereby the travelling that is 
necessary in cSc through the same road is greatly impeded 



378 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

and his Majesty's Liege Subjects who have occasion and 
right to pass and repass in and through the same road by 
themselves and with their horses, teams & carriages cannot 
conveniently and safely pass in & over the same road but in 
so doins: are in oreat danger of losing their own lives & the 
lives of their cattle & of breaking and destroying their 
Carriages." 

Mr. Wilder, clothed with plenary power, went to Worces- 
ter to make answer to the court, but when he heard himself 
addressed in such terms it is impossible to imagine Avhat he 
had to say. To face a court breathing anathema and making 
such assault upon himself and his town required great cour- 
age and fortitude. Whether fear gave strength and courage 
to the ambassador or his utter discomforture appeased the 
temper of the court is uncertain. In any event the case was 
continued, and then the court, possibly in sorrow for an 
assault upon innocence, calmly reviewed the field and came 
to the conclusion that inasmuch as the road, meanwhile, had 
been repaired the town should be forgiven on the payment 
of five shillings and costs. 

In 177(3 the maintenance of a new county road was added 
to existing liurdens. For several years after this date a 
special surveyor was chosen for the " south county road." 
It extended from the centre of the town past the school- 
house in the first district, and thence, nearly by the present 
road, past the Joseph Harris' place to the Westminster line. 

Soon after the Revolution the project of a count}' road from 
Winchendon to Westminster, passing through the south- 
west corner of the town, was revived. With its usual 
alacrity in such cases, the town instructed the selectmen to 
oppose the road. The following year the incorporation of 
Gardner intervened and with other le2:acies the town trans- 
ferred all responsibility in the premises to the young town. 



ROADS AND RAILROADS. 379 

But Asliburnham was scarcely relieved from one vexation 
concerning county roads before others of a more weighty 
character demanded attention. 

In 1790 a county road in amendment of the old thorough- 
fare from Winchendon Centre was proposed. An agent was 
sent to Worcester, but his efforts were attended with limited 
success. Three years later the petition was renewed, and 
Samuel Wilder, Abraham Lowe and Colonel Francis Lane 
were selected to continue an active opposition to the project. 
The town instructed their committee to measure all the 
county roads in the town and to ask the court if any 
additional burdens would be reasonable and just. Again, a 
delay was effected, but the suspension of hostilities was only 
for a brief season. The petition was renewed in 1798. 
Samuel Wilder, on whom the town relied for council and 
service in every emergency, was dead. The town sent 
David Gushing, Joseph Jewett and Hezekiah Corey to the 
rescue, but without avail. The road was laid out and a 
majority of the town was greatly discomforted. Before the 
fate of this road, of which mention will be made again, was 
decided another of greater proportions was proposed. The 
preliminary proceedings were brief. Before the town had 
fairly set its face against it, a county road was laid to com- 
plete a line of travel from Winchendon Centre to Leominster, 
passing through this town by the town farm and on sub- 
stantially the same route as the Fifth Turnpike was subse- 
quently built ; and, in fact, the county road influenced the 
location of the turnpike which was tinally accepted in room 
of it. One of the advocates of this county road was Joseph 
Stone who lived on the farm later owned by the town. In 
this proceeding Mr. Stone was strongly opposed by a large 
majority of his townsmen and public sentiment upon this 
subject is reflected in the records. At first, the road was 



380 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

styled Captain Stone's road, but as the controversy grew 
warmer it was called Stone's road, and there is a tradition in 
this town that the popularity of Mr. Stone faded as rapidly 
as the fortunes of the road were advanced. 

After the road was laid the town selected Abraham Lowe, 
Joshua Smith and Joseph Jewett to draw up a remonstrance 
in support of an appeal to the General Court. The proposed 
construction of the turnpike offered the town some relief, and 
measures were introduced to influence the location of the 
turnpike in a manner that would lead the court to discontinue 
the original road. Ebenezer Munroe, Joseph Jewett and 
John Gates were chosen to confer with the directors of the 
turnpike, and upon hearing their report the town, 1802, 
" Voted to make the road from the foot of the hill below 
Abraham Foster's, so on to the county road by Oliver Sam- 
son's, at town expense on condition that Stone's road, 
so called, can be discontinued and the town be at no more 
cost or expense on or about said road. Also the town voted 
to put in one thousand dollars in the road on condition that it 
be made a turnpike road to run from Winchendon line by 
Nathaniel Foster's mill, so on to the foot of Abraham Foster's 
hill, so out by Oliver Samson's. Also voted to put in five 
hundred dollars on condition that they go with the road 
where they think best in the town. Stone's road, so called, 
to be discontinued and the town be at no further expense on 
account of Stone's road." 

The following year the town made a fourth proposition, 
offering the corporation $1500 if the turnpike was constructed 
over the old common . The corporation accepted the smallest 
sum ofl'ered and reserved the right to "go with the road 
where they think best in the town." The turnpike was 
built in 1805 and 180G and the county road was discon- 
tinued. 



ROADS AND RAILROADS. 381 

The town next directed attention to an amendment of the 
first county road which had been ordered by the court. To 
this date the travel from Winchendon was compelled to 
make the ascent of Meeting-house hill, and thence abruptly 
down into the valley as it proceeded to Fitchburg. A more 
feasible route had been debated for several years, but the 
town steadily refused to divert any travel from the old com- 
mon until the authority of the court had been invoked. A 
section of new road was noAV built, commencing at a point 
on the old road, one and one-half miles west of the old com- 
mon and meeting the road again in front of the present resi- 
dence of Seth P. Fairbanks. This road was built in 1817 at 
a cost of $1060. It was clearly a benefit to the public, but 
the dwellers around the old common, and many others, who 
shared with them a commendable regard for the centre of 
their town, its meeting-house, its cemetery, its pound and 
its aristocracy, were greatly discomforted. When this 
enterprise was completed it was the most thoroughly con- 
structed section of road in the town. The conditions 
required it "to be sixteen feet between the ditches, crowned 
eighteen inches in the centre and all stones to be removed 
that come within six inches of the surface." Before this 
road was completed measures were taken to secure the 
indictment of the road leading from the centre of the town 
to the guide-board near the house of Caleb Ward who then 
resided west of Lane Village and near Lower Naukeag lake. 
At a special town meeting some one proposed to repair the 
road by subscription and escape an indictment. Thirty days' 
labor were immediately pledged, and then the town com- 
placently directed that the labor be performed at once, 
and after that the complaint be defended by the town if 
prosecuted. 



382 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Commencing with the present century there was an era of 
turnpikes. After the extreme depression in business, which 
was the natural consequence of the drain of the Revolu- 
tionary War, the country made substantial progress in 
wealth and development. A moderate accumulation of cap- 
ital began to seek channels of investment and ever}^ enter- 
prise which promised a fair return for the capital employed 
failed not for want of money or the encouragement and support 
of business men. Stimulated by an increasing travel and 
traffic to and from the centres of trade, turnpikes built and 
controlled by corporations were extended into every field of 
supply. Towns on the lines of these throroughfares were 
greatly benefited, and great efforts were made to influence 
their location. Taverns, stores and blacksmith shops were 
multiplied and many of them were mainly dependent on the 
patronage of these roads. 

An early line of travel from the north and west was from 
Keene .through Jaff'rey and New Ipswich and thence to 
Boston by way of Townsend. It was incorporated in 1799, 
and built without delay. Another turnpike incorporated 1802, 
from Keene through Winchendon and Leominster, passed by 
on the other side. This Levite came nearer and indeed was 
located through the southwest part of the town, but it was 
of little local benefit. It is now included in the town roads, 
and the houses of John M. Pratt, John V. Platts and 
Stephen Wood are on the line of it. The next turnpike in 
this vicinity came no nearer. It was incorporated in 1807 
and completed 1811. It was an important line of travel 
from Keene through Rindge, Ashby and Groton. This 
turnpike entered Ashburnham near the residence of Edwin 
J. Stearns, and the present road from that point, where there 
was a toll-gate, to the Ashby line at Watatic pond, marks 
its course through the corner of the town. While this turn- 



ROADS AND RAILROADS. 383 

pike was patronized considerably by the inhabitants, it was 
of little benefit to the town. If Ashburnham was not highly 
favored by this era of turnpikes, the inhabitants generally 
escaped the losses which nltimately attended the deprecia- 
tion of stock. 

In other towns many men of comparative wealth were 
financially ruined, and the savings of the poor, which were 
allured by golden promises from the scanty accumulations 
of continued toil and many self-denials, were lost in the 
general ruin which ensued. If these early turnpikes were 
not successful from a financial standpoint they greatly 
encouraged the growth and development of the country, 
and by competition and example they did nmch to improve 
the general condition of the other roads. 

About the time of the decline of the turnpikes a large 
amount of money was expended in building and repairing 
roads. A new line of travel, in which this town had a lively 
interest, was opened through the A^alley of Miller's river and 
from Winchendon through the centre of Ashburnham to 
Fitchburg and the lower towns. For many years long lines 
of teams and a great amount of pleasure travel passed 
through the central village. Very many now living are 
fond of telling of the heavy wagons, drawn by four, six and 
eight horses, laden with produce for the market and return- 
ing with merchandise for the country stores, or of the four 
and six horse stages that daily passed each way. The 
scenes of life and activity that attended their arrival and 
departure and other features of those days are well remem- 
bered. The active landlord answered the demands of many 
guests, while the busy hostlers in the spacious barns grew 
weary in attendance upon the overflowing stalls. The 
hammer of the smith awoke the stillness of night and the fire 
in the forge scarcely burned out before the beginning of a 



384 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

new day. A much larger business to-day is done with one 
tithe of the noise and confusion of the olden time. Then, 
the newspapers, unaided by the telegraph and other modern 
facilities, gave little information of passing events. Items 
of intelligence were noisily communicated by word of mouth 
while bustling crowds around the taverns and the stores 
gathered the latest news from the passing traveller. Now, 
the current price of commodities and the records of the 
world are gleaned from the papers in the quiet retirement of 
home. Then, orders for goods and the general intercourse 
of trade were often verbal messages transmitted through 
many mouths. The message of to-day, silently committed 
to the mail, or to the swifter transmittal of the telegi-aph 
and the responding shipment of merchandise, left by the 
passing train, are in happy contrast with the noisy methods 
of the olden time. 

Durins: the construction of the Fitchburo; railroad from 
point to point, the teams and stages in that direction made 
shorter journeys, but the condition of affairs at this point was 
not materially changed ; but the building of the Vermont and 
Massachusetts and the Cheshire railroads which soon followed 
drove the stages and the teams from the road. 

The amount expended for the annual repair of the roads 
during the early history of the town conformed to the in- 
crease of population and secured highways that reasonably 
met the requirements of the times. The appropriation in 
1770 was £35 ; in 1773, £80 ; in 1790, £120 ; in 1800 the sum 
was increased to $900. For many years the town chose one 
and sometimes two surveyors for the county roads and com- 
mitted the town roads to the care of from two to ten persons, 
the number being gradually increased as the roads were 
extended and more thoroughly repaired. In 1818 the town 
was divided into twenty-one highway districts. The county 



ROADS AND RAILROADS. 385 

roads and turnpikes, gradually losing their individual charac- 
ter, were included among the several districts. In 1845 the 
number of highway districts was increased to twenty-five, 
which, with slight changes, were continued until a recent 
date. From the first, and until the present system was 
adopted, a surveyor was annually chosen for each district. 
In 1832 and 1837 the town voted to raise one-half the usual 
amount in money, but before the tax was assessed the action 
was reconsidered and the former system of a labor tax was 
continued until a comparatively recent period. The amount 
annually expended for the repair of the highways was gradu- 
ally increased from $900 to $1500 ; the last sum was deemed 
suflicient until 1865, when $1800 was raised, and since that 
date the amount has ranged from $2500 to $4500. In 1870 
the town committed the care of the highways to the select- 
men and the following year a board of commissioners was 
established. The members are elected for three years. On 
this board Simeon Merritt has served eleven years ; Samuel 
Howard, nine years ; Jesse Parker, two years ; Stephen 
Wood, three years ; Frederic E. Willard, three years ; 
Charles H. Whitney, one year; Robert W. Mclntire, six 
years ; Charles W. Whitney, 2d, five years ; Justin W. 
Bemis, one year. The three last named constitute the 
present board. 

Railed ADS. — The charter of the Vermont and Massachu- 
setts railroad, now operated by the Fitchburg railroad, is 
dated March 15, 1844, but the road was graded from Fitch- 
burg to South Ashburnham in the summer and autumn 
preceding and in anticipation of an act of incorporation. At 
this point there arose an animated contest over the continued 
location of the road. For two years it was an even question 
whether it would be extended through Gardner or through 
Winchendon. In this controversy the town of Ashburnham 



38G HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

was an indifterent spectator, as in either event it Avould not 
materially change its course through this town. The busi- 
ness men early perceived that the route through Gardner, 
which was finally adopted, would accommodate this town as 
well as the other, and it would also leave an invitation to the 
Cheshire railroad, then in contemplation, to build from 
Winchendon through Ashburnham Centre to Fitchburg. 
For a season the town was so deeply engrossed with this 
project that little attention was paid to the controversy over 
the location of the first railroad that was built within the 
town. The causes and influences which controlled the loca- 
tion of both of these roads were wholly outside of Ash- 
burnham, and while a considerable portion of the town were 
disappointed neither of them approached the central village. 
Both of the roads have been of material benefit to the town. 
The Ashburnham Railroad lies wholly within this town 
and materially contributes to the general prosperity of the 
place. It is young in years and limited in length, yet it has 
more history to the linear mile and in certain years of its 
duration has developed more stratagem than has attended the 
fortunes of many older and longer roads. The difiiculties 
which surrounded its construction and early management are 
fortunately settled and only the exterior history of the road 
demands attention. In May, 1871, a charter was obtained 
for a line of railroad from the junctioi;! of the existing roads 
to the central village, a distance of about two miles. A com- 
mittee, consisting of George C. Winchester, Austin Whitney, 
William P. Ellis, Ohio Whitney and George H. Barrett, 
was immediately chosen to solicit subscriptions to the capital 
stock which, at this stage of the proceedings, was limited to 
one hundred thousand dollars. To aid and encourage the 
enterprise the town of Ashburnham, on a vote to invest five 
per cent, of its valuation, purchased shares to the amount of 



ROADS AND KAILROADS. 387 

forty -eight thousand dollars. Eleven thousand five hundred 
dollars was subscribed by three men residing in Fitchburg 
and in Boston and the remainder of the stock was taken by 
residents of this town. At the organization of the corpora- 
tion which promptly ensued, George C. Winchester, Ohio 
Whitney, Austin Whitney, Addison A. Walker of Ashburn- 
ham, Daniel Nevins, Jr., Hiram A. Blood and Otis T. 
Ruggles were chosen a board of directors. George C. 
Winchester was subsequently chosen president and Colonel 
George H. Barrett clerk and treasurer. 

The construction of the road was prosecuted with energy 
and without any unreasonable delay. About the first of 
January, 1874, the road Avas completed and a turn table and 
engine house were built at the northern terminus, but the 
depot was not erected until the following year. At the 
annual meeting in the summer of this year, the following 
board of directors was chosen : Austin Whitney, Addison A. 
Walker, Walter K. Adams, Simeon Merritt, Ohio Whitney, 
Daniel Nevins, Jr., and Thomas H. Clark. William P. 
Ellis was chosen clerk and treasurer and was continued in 
office until the corporation was dissolved. He was also 
station agent and to his care was confided the details of the 
operation of the road. In 1875 Mr. Nevins declined a 
reelection and the board was increased to nine members. 
The new members elected were George C. Winchester, 
Franklin Russell and George G. Rockwood. The only 
change in the board of directors in 1876 was the election of 
Wilbur F. Whitney, in room of Austin Whitney. From 
1874 to 1877 the road was equipped and operated by the 
stockholders under the immediate management of the board 
of directors. In the adjustment of claims against the corpo- 
ration the debt was gradually increased and the earnings did 
not exceed the current expenses to an extent that afforded 



388 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

any relief. The corporation issued mortgage bonds for 

twelve thousand dollars and at that time it was generally 

presumed that ultimately all the debts would be liquidated 

by the net earnings of the road. In 1877, and after the road 

had been in operation three years, George C. Winchester 

demanded payment of a claim of eleven thousand five 

hundred dollars for personal service. This demand was 

unanswered for a season with a spirit of resistance and a 

consciousness of inability to pay it. A final settlement was 

subsequently made, and in the summer of 1877, the franchise 

of the road and the rolling stock were conveyed to Mrs. 

Winchester and the corporation was dissolved. To this 

enterprise the town and the inhabitants of Ashburnham have 

contributed eighty-eight thousand five hundred dollars. 

The loss was serious to a few. Had the burden been more 

equally distributed, it is probable that in the general utility 

and convenience of the Ashburnham railroad, every one will 

find ample compensation for the loss sustained. Mrs. 

Winchester continued to own and operate the road in the 

interest of the public until 1885 when it was sold to the 

Fitchburg railroad corporation. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

HOTELS AND STORES. 

THE FIRST IXN. SEVERAL EARLY INNHOLDERS. UNCLE TIM's. THE COCK- 
EREL TAVERN. TWO HOTELS ON MAIN STREET. CHILDREN OF THE 

WOODS. A NEW TAVERN. THE CENTRAL HOUSE. THE FRYE TAVERN. 

THE TAVERN AT FACTORY VILLAGE. 

THE STORES. — the first store. — the jewetts and their succes- 
sors. — MADAME CUSHING A MERCHANT. SEVERAL SMALL STORES. THE 

WINCHESTERS. ADAMS AND GREENWOOD. ELLIS AND LANE. NEWTON 

HAYDEN. PARKER BROTHERS. — MARBLE AND GILSON. GEORGE ROCK- 
WOOD. ELLIOT MOORE. — MIRICK STIMSON. STORES IN SOUTH ASH- 

BURNHAM. 

Inns or taverns were numerous in the olden times, and a 
fictitious prominence is frequently assigned them. Around 
these ancient hostelries tradition is wont to linger and prone 
to crown them with a dignity they did not enjoy and to 
regard them with a peculiar charity especially reserved for 
the dead. In fact, a large majority of them were simply 
farm-houses in which the traveller was entertained. The 
proprietor was more a farmer than a landlord and the busi- 
ness was only supplementary to his stated avocation. And 
often in the pursuit of gain the license of the innholder was 
secured more for the sale of spirituous liquors than for a 
rational entertainment of man and beast. 

The first inn of this town, of which there is any record or 
tradition, was built upon the old Bluefield road extending 
from Lunenburg to Northficld. It was situated on the Bel- 
low's grant in the northwest part of this town, and was not 

389 



390 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

occupied after 1744, when the settlement was abandoned. 
The Court Records represent that Moses Foster was a 
licensed innholder in 1751 and through several succeeding: 
years. He lived at first in the northeast part of the town 
and at an early date removed to a lot adjoining, south of the 
common. His house after he removed was an inn, but it is 
uncertain at which place he was residing when first licensed. 
The next landlord who appeared on the scene was Nathan 
Dennis who lived at Lane Village and owned the mill. He 
was here only two years, 1753 and 1754. In 1756 Thomas 
Wheeler in the northeast part of the town was an innholder 
and was succeeded by James Coleman who was included 
within Ashby in 17()5. For several years, commencing with 
1759, Elisha Coolidge was licensed. He probably resided 
in the house previously occupied by Nathan Dennis. In 
1767 Nathan Melvin who lived near the Amos Pierce place, 
in the eighth school district, received permission from the 
court to entertain the solitary traveller who might acciden- 
tally pass that way. Captain Deliverance Davis was a 
licensed innholder in 1767 but he did not continue in the 
business many years. Among the ancient hostelries in this 
town none were so popular as " Uncle Tim's." Tradition 
assigns no other name to the pul)lic house kept by Timothy 
Willard. He was probably the first landlord in this town 
who ever gave his undivided attention to the business and 
his house was known "from Canada to Boston." On his 
tables often were fresh pickerel which an hour before were 
sporting in the clear waters of Upper Naukeag. At this inn 
Dr. Lowe was entertained the first years of his residence in 
this town. The house was on the old road from Ashburn- 
ham to Winchendon, on the site of the residence of Mrs. 
David W. Russell. In 1798 David Russell, Sen., pur- 
chased the hotel and farm and continued the business. He 



HOTELS AND STOKES. 391 

procured a new sign on which was painted a profile of a 
chanticleer in the constant occupation of crowing over the 
fame of the place. In a few years, so fickle is fame, the 
name of "Uncle Tim" was heard no more. The inn was 
known as the " Cockerel Tavern." 

About the close of the century two hotels were opened on 
Main street, — one by Captain David Cushing, where Nahum 
Wood now lives, and one on the opposite side of the street, 
over which Joseph Jewett presided when not engaged in 
other pursuits. Commencing with about 1815, and con- 
tinuing with a waning patronage until about thirty years ago, 
there was a hotel on the north turnpike, and either the 
hotel or the locality was familiarly known as Children of the 
Woods. The travel on that once busy thoroughfare has 
been diverted into other channels and the old hotel has fallen 
with the weight of years. There was a hotel several years 
where the brick store now stands. It was built by John 
Adams, son of the centenarian, about 1826. Hobart F. 
Kibling and Merrick Whitney were the landlords. In the 
same building there was a store which is mentioned in 
another connection. This hotel was built soon after the 
road from Winchendon to Fitchburg had been thoroughly 
repaired and many teams from Vermont and the valley of 
Miller's river passed through this town. The new hotel was 
successful and its prosperity led to the building of another 
on the opposite side of the street, now know^n as the Central 
House. The hotel last mentioned was built by Captain Silas 
Whitney in 1829, but it was not finished until 1832. It 
was called the Washington House and in front, leaving space 
for the passage of teams, there was a huge sign suspended 
between two posts. The sign bore a supposed likeness of 
George Washington who proclaimed that he, at least, was a 
cold water man by having beneath him a huge watering- 



392 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

trough which occupied all the space between the posts. In 
this house, also, Hobart F. Kibling w^as the first landlord. 
He was succeeded by Samuel Whitney and his sons who had 
acquired possession of the property. Later, the house was 
conducted by Stimson and Howe and by Knight and Forris- 
tall who were succeeded by Israel W. Knight, a sou of one 
of the preceding landlords. Mr. Knight conducted the 
business many years and until his death, September 5, 1858. 
His son, James M. Knight, succeeded him, remaining in the 
business two or three years. Ferdinand Petts was the 
next landlord. The property was purchased by Walter R. 
Adams, 1866, who assumed the management of the business 
until 1879 when he was succeeded by John C. Stone. Mr. 
Stone has thoroughly repaired the buildings and built a block 
of stores on the site of the driveway. The appearance and 
convenience of the buildings are much improved and the 
house is well conducted. 

The Frye Tavern, more recently known as the Astor 
House, was a prosperous hotel fifty years ago. The land- 
lords were James Frye, Merrick Whitney, James Barrett, 
Orin Morton and Otis Metcalf. It has been owned many 
years by the Cheshire railroad and occupied by tenants. 

About the time the Frye Tavern was opened, Norman 
Stone had a hotel at Factory Village for several years. 
Public houses on the main lines of travel were numerous in 
those days and many at intermediate points between the 
villages were successful. 

Stores. — Until the close of the Revolution there were no 
stores in Ashburnham. If any one returned from the centres 
of trade with goods, which were oflTered for sale, the business 
was not of sufficient magnitude or duration to secure the 
appellation of merchant or surround his abode with the 
dignity of a store. In the mean time the store in Lunen- 



HOTELS AND STORES. 393 

burg was frequently visited, and upon tin old ledger of 
Moses Whitney, who had a store in Rindge in 1772, are 
extended accounts with several residents of this town. It is 
prol^able, however, that, for many years, the greater part of 
the home supplies were procured in the lower towns in 
exchange for the product of the farm, or for shingles, split 
and shaved from the stately pines which were abundant at 
that time. 

Joseph Jewett, Esq., removed to this town in 1783, and 
immediately opened a store in his dwelling-house which 
stood at the corner of Main and Gushing streets. In a few 
years he built a store near by which remains to this time 
and is a part of the building owned and occupied by Charles 
Hastings. Associated in trade with Mr. Jewett for one 
year, about 1790, was Samuel Appleton, the generous bene- 
factor of several educational and charitable institutions, and 
in later years General Ivers Jewett was admitted to a part- 
nership with his father. The Jewetts were men of enter- 
prise, and succeeded in building up a prosperous business 
which was extended into the surrounding towns. They 
exchanged goods for every product of the farm, sending 
annually many tons of pork, butter, cheese, grain and wool 
to the seaboard. Ashes, too, with them, were an acceptable 
tender for goods from the store. These they converted into 
potash and forwarded it to the market. In later years they 
received 3\arns from the Slaters of Rhode Island and other 
manufactures of the time. At that time the power loom 
was a sleeping dream in the soul of invention. This yarn 
was distributed among the families who wove it in hand- 
looms, returning the cloth to the store and receiving their 
pay in goods. In this and many other ways these enter- 
prising merchants invited trade. They ofiered every facility 
for the payment of goods. They entered into close relations 



394 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

with the people of Ashburnham and many others in the 
adjoining towns. In accordance with a custom of the times 
they sold wines and liquors in quantity and by the glass. 
They supplemented their business with an inn, and mixed 
and vended grog from the ramparts of the store and the 
skirmish line of the hotel. They clothed the naked, fed the 
hungry, relieved the thirsty, and in their more substantial 
trade provided all against future want. The " Jewett Store '^ 
was an institution which suffered no rival and has witnessed 
no successor. 

Joseph Jewett retiring from an active interest in the busi- 
ness it was continued by General Ivers Jewett. For a short 
time Colonel Hosea Stone was associated with General 
Jewett, and in 1824 Samuel Woods, who had been a clerk 
in the store nine years, bought a half interest and the firm 
became known as Jewett and Woods. Soon after, the new 
firm bought a store and a cotton-mill in Fitchburg and sold 
the store in this town to Samuel Barrett. The Fitchburg 
enterprise was not successful. General Jewett, in this and 
other speculative transactions, met with less success than 
had attended his career as a merchant. In 1828 Samuel 
Woods bought the store of Mr. Barrett and returned to 
Ashburnham and in company with George H. Lowe he 
continued in trade until 1831. Samuel S. Stevens suc- 
ceeded Mr. Lowe, and soon after Jonathan O. Bancroft and 
Elbridge Stimson were admitted to the firm then known as 
Woods, Stevens & Co. In 1833 they sold to George H. 
Lowe who continued in trade until 1842. Mr. Lowe sold 
to Jacob Osgood of Weston, whose son, Charles, had an 
interest in the business. The Os<>oods were succeeded in 
1851 by James Learned who was in business sixteen years 
when he sold the store and goods to Henry Vanness, who, 
with unrutiled placidity, fostered a waning trade until 1877, 



HOTELS AND STORES. 395 

when the curtain fell. The fastened door and the boarded 
windows shut out the light of day but not the memory of 
many years. 

The second store in order of date, and the first in the 
elevation and dignity of its surroundings, was on the old 
common. Here Mrs. Gushing, assisted by her sons, con- 
ducted a small trade several years. The modest store was 
at the east of the common and was established about 1795. 
A few years later Deacon Heman Lincoln, on this site, 
erected a dwelling-house and enlarged the store. For a 
short time he conducted the business and was succeeded by 
Doddridge Gushing, who continued in trade several years, 
when the Jewetts purchased the goods and removed them to 
the foot of the hill. Subsequently, Leonard Stearns, fi'om 
New Ipswich, was in trade a year or more, and later Gharles 
Hastings purchased the real estate, enlarged and repaired 
the buildings, bouirht new ijoods and continued in trade until 
1829. He sold to Lemuel Stimson, and in the spring of 
1830 the business was assumed by his sons, Ell)ridge and 
Mirick, who closed out in 1833, and since then no one has 
engaged in trade at this place. 

About the time the Jewetts withdrew from an active 
interest in trade three small stores were opened in this town. 
William Brooks in the house of his father, Thaddeus Brooks, 
in the ninth school district conducted a limited business 
several years ; and Reuben Rice, who lived in the fourth 
school district where Alfred D. Kinsman now resides, had a 
store in his house an equal length of time. Xeither of these 
securing a monopoly of the trade, Asahel Gorey and Salmon 
Rice opened a store on Water street. Later Mr. Rice sold 
his interest to Levi Corey. The Coreys were succeeded in 
1839 by Gharles Winchester, and it was in this store of 
modest pretension that Mr. Winchester outlined the first 



396 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



chapter of an active, successful career. Asahel and Levi 
Corey, having sold their business in Water street, opened a 
new store in the hotel building on the site of the brick store. 
After a few years they were succeeded b}^ Philip R. Merriam 
who removed from a small store on the soutli turnpike. Mr. 
Merriam and his son were followed by Horace C. Crehore 
who continued in trade several years. 

• In 1842 Charles Winchester sold the store he had out- 
grown on Water street and bought this store. Six years 
later he admitted his brother, George C. Winchester, to an 
equal partnership. They were eminently successful. For 
the accommodation of an increasing trade, and to provide 
accounting rooms for their other lousiness they erected, in 
1855, the substantial building now occupied l)y Adams and 




The Brick Store, now of Adams & Gkeexwood. Erected by 
C. & G. C. Winchester, 1855. 

Greenwood. The firm was dissolved in 1870, and George 
C. Winchester continued the business until 1879. This 



HOTELS AND STOEES. 397 

store was reopened in 1881 by Adams and Greenwood, the 
partners being Walter R. Adams and Moses P. Greenwood. 
With a full line of miscellaneous goods, they at once secured 
an extensive trade and are reaping the fruit of merited 
success. 

The store now occupied by Parker Brothers was built by 
Ivers White in 1855, and leased to William P. Ellis for 
eight years. Mr. Ellis formed a partnership with Martin B. 
Lane, and under the name of Ellis and Lane they conducted 
a trade in stoves, tinware and groceries for several years. 
The firm was then dissolved by the retirement of Mr. Lane, 
who removed the stove and tinware department to the store 
in the Town Hall. Newton Hayden being admitted to a 
partnership with Mr. Ellis, the business was enlarged and 
included the wares usually displayed in a country store. In 
1866 Mr. Hayden became sole proprietor, and he was 
succeeded by several firms which included Hon. Ohio 
Whitney, Walter R. Adams, Moses P. Greenwood and 
Captain Walter O. Parker. In 1876 Captain Parker and 
his brother, Frank H. Parker, under the firm name of Parker 
Brothers, assumed the business. Under their judicious 
management, the demands of the community have been fully 
answered and a good trade has been firmly established. 

After the removal of Mr. Lane to the Town Hall, he was 
associated with Joel P. Marble, and in 1876 he was succeeded 
by Frank B. Gilson. The business was continued under the 
firm name of Marble and Gilson. In 1880 they built a new 
store on Central street and added a line of groceries to their 
former trade. They continue in the management of a pros- 
perous business. There were earlier dealers in stoves and 
tinware than any named in the preceding paragraphs. Ben- 
jamin Merriam was an early dealer in this line of ware in 
the old store on Water street, and Elliot Moore, for a few 



398 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

years, was in this line of trade in the George Eockwood 
store. 

George Rockwood opened a store about 1833, where 
Marshall Wetherbee now resides. He continued in trade 
several years and a part of the time Dr. William H. Cutler 
had an interest in the business. He was succeeded by the 
Union Store, which was continued four years, and later Elliot 
Moore continued the business a few years. 

After Asahel Corey had been in trade on Water street and 
in the hotel building on the south side of the street, he built 
in 1846 a store on the site of the residence of George C. 
Winchester. In this building his son, Jonas Corey, opened 
a store and was succeeded immediately by George Rock- 
wood and Austin Whitney. Then the firm of Corey, Barrett 
and Kibling, comprising Jonas Corey, Colonel Francis J. 
Barrett and Joseph W. Kibling, was actively engaged in 
trade at this place for a few years. They were succeeded 
by Austin Whitney, and while his brother, Samuel V. 
Whitney, was postmaster, the post-ofiice was located here. 
The building was purchased by George C. Winchester in 
1856 and remodelled soon after. 

George W. Kibling, who lived in Lane Village, where 
Merrick Hadley now resides, had a store in his house a few 
years, commencing about 1835. There was no other store 
in this village until Mirick Stimson began trade in 1868. 
Mr. Stimson has continued without interruption to the 
present time. In North Ashburnham, Asa R. Lovell was in 
trade about three years, commencing in the autumn of 1845. 
The goods were owned by several gentlemen who lived in 
that vicinity, and who sustained the store as a local enter- 
prise. The goods were subsequently sold at auction. 
Except the trade in groceries conducted by Daniels Ellis, 
there have been no other stores in this village. 



HOTELS AND STORES. 399 

Stores in the village of South Ashburnham have been 
numerous. In 1822 Jonas Munroe opened a store and con- 
tinued in trade several years. The building occupied by 
Mr. Munroe was later the ell of the Deacon Glazier shop. 
Mr. Benjamin E. Wetherbee, the present owner of the 
premises, tore it down a year ago and completed its history. 
Hosea Hosley, in 1836, began trade in a building still known 
as the red store, opposite the residence of Hezekiah 
Matthews. After a vacancy of several years, the next 
ti'ader in this store was Lewis G. Matthews, who, with a 
line of groceries and patent medicines, began business in 
1852, and continued until 1874. Oliver A. Raymond, in 
the autumn of 1846, began business under favorable 
auspices in the May store. He died the following year and 
the goods were sold out by his brother. The Protective 
Union Store was opened in the May building in 1848. 
Stores established on this plan were found at this date in 
almost every village. Generally conducted by men un- 
skilled in the arts of trade, very few of them were successful. 
This proved no exception, and was closed before the expira- 
tion of a year. The May store, which, like the temple of 
Janus, has been sometimes open and sometimes closed, was 
occupied a year and a half, commencing August, 1863, by 
John B. Day, who displayed a line of dry goods and 
groceries. In 1868 Mr. Day resumed business in the same 
building. The following year he was succeeded by Stephen 
V. Ware, who remained two years and again the doors were 
closed. The next occupant was Luther Osborn, who con- 
tinued about three years, and from that time until 1876, the 
store was unoccupied. In the autumn of that year Stephen 
V. Ware resumed trade with a line of dry goods and gro- 
ceries. In March, 1884, he sold to John Davis, who moved 
the following summer into the store under Union Hall where 



400 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

he was recently succeeded by Alfred E. Garlick and James 
H. Long, who have built up a prosperous trade. 

More to accommodate his employes than to solicit a 
general trade, Edward S. Flint dealt in staple groceries 
about nineteen years, commencing 1857. In 1866 Mrs. 
Mary Blodget fitted a room in her dwelling for the accom- 
modation of a limited stock of ladies' furnishing goods. 
The business was successfully continued eight years. Near 
the depots, Sumner H. Upham, Francis Eaton, Sewell S. 
Lane and Stephen V. Ware have each been in trade a short 
time. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

MECHANICAL INDUSTRIES. 

PROMINENT POSITION OF ASHBURNHAM. THREE EARLY MILLS. A MULTI- 
TUDE OF GRAIN-MILLS AND SAW-MILLS. — THE MANUFACTURE OF CHAIRS. 

THE GREAT NUMBER ENGAGED. JOHN EATON. THE PIONEERS. 

PHILIP R. MERRIAM. CHARLES AND GEORGE C. WINCHESTER. THE 

BOSTON CHAIR MANUFACTURING COMPANY. W. F. WHITNEY. THE 

MANUFACTURE OF CHAIRS IN SOUTH ASHBURNHAM. BURRAGEVILLE. 

TUBS AND PAILS. THREAD SPOOLS. — FRICTION MATCHES. BASKETS. 

MISCELLANEOUS WOOD-WARE. WOOL CARDING AND CLOTH DRESSING. 

COTTON FACTORIES. TANNING. MOROCCO BUSINESS. .JOHN AND 

S. W. PUTNAM. 

The genius of Ashburnham shines forth most conspicu- 
ously in a variety of manufactures. In the employment of 
capital and in the daily toil of a large number of artisans and 
mechanics, the town maintains a commanding position. The 
frequent seats of power along the courses of the brooks and 
rivers have invited the people from the cultivation of a rugged 
soil to mechanical pursuits. The number of mills, past and 
present, in this town is unusually large. There are fifty 
mill sites in this town where at some time the water power 
has been utilized. These enterprises have offered employ- 
ment to the mechanic and have augmented the wealth of the 
town. If the first mills were rude affairs they were neces- 
sary to the progress of the settlement, and in their weakness 
was found a living suggestion of improvement. If brought 
into comparison with modern mills and modern machinery, 
the primitive saw-mill, with rheumatic movements laboring 

26 401 



402 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

slowly through a log, grunting, meanwhile, as if in pain, 
presents a vivid picture of the progress and triumph of 
mechanical skill. No effort is made to name every mill that 
has been erected in this town. Many of them in the whole 
extent of an uneven existence haVe not materially increased 
the product of the town nor stimulated its energies. Among 
this class are included several saw-mills upon the smaller 
streams that, at best, were employed but a small portion of 
each year and were early suffered to present a picture of 
dilapidated old age. 

The modern industries have been more fortunate and are 
the life and activity of the town. The first mill in this town 
was built at Lane Village in 1737. This mill, erected by 
Hezekiah Gates, during the municipal administration of the 
proprietors of Dorchester Canada, and in itself a conspicuous 
figure in the record of the settlement of the town, was men- 
tioned in a previous chapter. In the same connection was 
given an account of the second mill which was built in 1752 
and near the site of the first mill. 

The third mill, within the limits of the original township, 
was also built at an early date. The proprietors located the 
first and second mills, over which they assumed a nominal 
control, as near the centre of the town as the conditions 
would permit. The numerous settlers within and north of 
the Dutch Farms were far removed from the only mills in 
the township and caused one to be built in their vicinity 
previous to 1758. It was owned at that time by Moses 
Foster, Jr., and Zimri Hey wood, and was situated near the 
outlet of Watatic pond. The site of this mill is now in 
Ashby and was a part of the substantial contributions of 
Ashburnham when that town was incorporated. Previous 
to the Revolution, a saw and grist mill was built at the out- 
let of Rice pond near the site of the reservoir dam. In the 



MECHANICAL INDUSTRIES. 403 

first division of lots, the eighth lot was one of the ministerial 
lots and subsequently was under the control of the town. It 
included the mill privilege and extended southerly. In 1772, 
for eighteen dollars, the town sold the north part of the lot 
to Ebenezer Conant, Jr., for a mill site, and for some reason 
subsequently refunded the money. Mr. Conant, however, 
built the mill and in 1778 a road was laid from near the 
village "passing over the mill-dam of Ebenezer Conant, Jr., 
and between said Conant'.s house and barn and through lots 
seven and eight, until it strikes the old road." At the age 
of forty years, Mr. Conant died August 3, 1783. The mill 
was afterwards owned by Jonas Randall, Jonathan Brooks 
and others. About seventy years ago it was removed to 
Water street. 

Philip Oberlock, who assumed the name of Locke, owned 
a saw-mill at an early date in the south part of the town. 
It was situated near the shop of Reuben Puffer. In 1778 
Mr. Locke sold the mill to Daniel Gibbs who owned it 
several years. The early proprietors of the mill property, 
now owned by Elijah Gross and Son, were Simeon Brooks, 
Caleb Wilder and Jason Mead. In 1816 it was purchased 
by Peeks Gross. The mill was burned in 1844 and rebuilt 
the following year. For many years there has been a saw 
and grain mill at this site. The present proprietors have 
ground and sold a large quantity of western corn. At 
times a portion of this mill has been occupied by tenants. 
Chairs have been made here by Liberty Holt, Charles But- 
trick, James Blodget, Ira Brooks and Irving E. Platts. 
Samuel J. Tenney, William Tenney and Henry Lawrence 
have manufactured tubs and pails, and John Davis has pre- 
pared excelsior at this mill. 

Ezra Dana removed to this town about 1790. He did not 
remain here many years, but he found employment in build- 



404 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

insf the first mill on the river at Biirraoreville. The ancient 
dam and also the evidence of the sudden flood which occurred 
under his administration still remain. To irrigate a field of 
corn suffering from a drought, he cut a small channel through 
the banks enclosing his mill-pond. The treachery of a sandy 
soil suddenly drained the pond and ruined the corn. No 
subsequent trace of Dana is found, yet it is more probable 
that he removed from town than that he was washed away in 
the sudden current. The second mill in Lane Village, which 
was built by Caleb Dana and Elisha Coolidge,was removed 
by Colonel Francis Lane. In 1786 he built a new mill 
where the upper mill of Packard Brothers now stands. In 
1805 he enlarged the building and continued to maintain a 
saw-mill and a grist-mill until 1822, when he sold the 
property to John Kibling, and four years later it was pur- 
chased by Samuel Foster, who sold it to Enos Emory in 
1833. In 1846 Francis Lane, Jr., and his sons became the 
proprietors, and in 1854 the buildings were renewed. Mil- 
ton Lane, who had acquired possession, sold it to C. and G. 
C. Winchester about twenty years ago. Charles F. and 
Albert D. Packard, the present owners, bought it in 1881. 

About forty rods below Packard Brothers' upper mill is 
an unoccupied mill site. Here Francis Kibling built a mill 
in 1832. Dr. Stillman Gibson of New Ipswich subsequently 
owned it until it was removed about thirty years ago. It 
was occupied as a saw-mill and shingle-mill. On the same 
stream near Packard Brothers' lower mill is the ancient 
Gates dam, and near by are found traces of the dam where 
Francis Lane, Jr., built a saw-mill and turning shop in 1833. 
In 1846 it was purchased by Enos Emory, and was burned 
about twenty years ago. The lower mill of Packard 
Brothers was built by Elias Lane for a turning shop in 1822. 
It was sold to Eaton and Harris in 1855, who occupied it 



MECHANICAL INDUSTRIES. 405 

about seven years. Passing through several owners it was 
bought by Packard Brothers in 1874. 

If the power of the stream in North Ashburnham was not 
occupied as early as at Lane Village, forty years ago it was 
quite thoroughly utilized. There are four mill sites within a 
short distance and all of them at times have been quite fully 
emplo3'"ed. The lower one was built and occupied many years 
by Alvin Ward. It was burned in 1860. The second mill 
in order of location was owned, and is said to have been built 
by Moses and Ezra Lawrence. The next owner was Daniels 
Ellis who held it several years. It was subsequently owned 
by W. L. G. Ward, and later by Isaac D. Ward. The 
present owner is Joseph H. Small. The unoccupied mill 
was built by Deacon John C. and Joseph Davis in the 
autumn of 1826. It is owned by Isaac D. Ward. The first 
mill on the fourth privilege was built b}'" Alonzo L. Willard 
about 1842, and has been occupied in the manufacture of a 
variety of wares. The successive owners were John Bald- 
win and Daniels Ellis, Jr. Mr. Ellis removed the original 
and built the present mill about 1863. He sold it when 
completed to LaRoy A. Butler. Isaac D. Ward now owns 
it. 

The first mill on the stream flowing from Rindge, in the 
order of location, was built by Eliphalet Eddy about fifty 
years ago. About 1845 he was succeeded by Corey, 
Barrett and Kibling, and later by Jonas Corey. It is now 
owned and occupied by Robert W. Mclntire. Daniels Ellis, 
Jr., built the next mill on this stream nearly forty years ago, 
Edwin Hay ward has owned it about ten years. The next 
mill was built by Daniels Ellis, Jr., and was owned several 
years by Mr. Ellis and Horace W. Houston and later by Mr. 
Houston. The dam was destroyed by the freshet in the 
autumn of 1869. Three mills have been erected on the 



406 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Whitmore and Jones privilege, and are mentioned in another 
paragraph. The first mill on the privilege of Leonard 
Foster was built about the commencement of the present 
century. It was owned many years by Nathaniel Foster 
who died in 1826. After a few years it came into the pos- 
session of Thomas Bennett, and for many years has been 
owned by Leonard Foster, who built the present mill about 
1850. A large quantity of lumber has been sawed at this 
mill. Two mills have been burned on this site. 

The saw-mill at Burrageville was built and owned many 
years by George L. Beals and later it was a part of the 
property of the Burrage Brothers. Later, J. H. and E. L. 
Hodge owned it several years, and manufactured chairs as 
well as coarse lumber. For seventeen years it has been 
owned by C. L. Beals and occupied by George L. Beals, Jr. 
There have been several saw-mills in the central village, 
but generally they have been connected with manufacturing 
establishments and are incidentally mentioned in such con- 
nection. A saw-mill was built in 1835, on the site of the 
chair factory of Wilbur F. Whitney, by Joshua B. Burgess. 
A few years later Mr. Burgess sold it to Europe H. Fair- 
banks and Colonel Ivers Phillips, who annually sawed a large 
quantity of lumber. The subsequent owners were Bailey, 
Spaulding and Sherwin, who sold it about 1862 to Charles 
and George C. Winchester. The dam was destroyed by the 
freshet in 1869 and was not rebuilt until 1882, when Mr. 
Whitney purchased the premises. On the North Turnpike 
there have been two saw-mills and one is still standing. 
They possessed all the requirements for business except 
water. Failing in this essential requisite they were in 
operation only a small portion of the time. 

Samuel Dunster removed from Mason, New Hampshire, 
to this town, in 1801, and here found employment for many 



MECHANICAL INDUSTRIES. 407 

years in building, selling and exchanging mills. First, he 
built a saw-mill and grain-mill at Factory Village, which he 
sold to Benjamin Gibbs about 1816 and then removed to the 
central village, where in 1817 he built a grain-mill on the 
site of the mill of Colonel George H. Barrett and soon after 
he became interested in other manufacturing enterprises 
which are mentioned in another connection. Mr. Dunster. 
removed to Factory Village in 1830 and bought the mill of 
Mr. Gibbs which he continued to own until his death. For 
many years it was under the care of Elijah and Joel Brooks 
and at last it was washed away by the freshet. The grain- 
mill on Mill street has been owned by many individuals and 
firms. Among them are included Josiah Lane, the Cald- 
wells, Piam Burr, Colonel Charles Barrett, Mirick Stimson, 
Charles and George C. Winchester, John Hadley, Moses P. 
and Theodore Greenwood. The present owner. Colonel 
George H. Barrett, has conducted an extensive business in 
grinding western corn and in the sale of grain . The present 
saw-mill and grain-mill at Factory Village w^as built by 
Ebenezer Frost in 1855. Mr. Frost sold it in 1866 to 
Cyrus A. Jefts, Theodore Greenwood and Frank W. Wal- 
lace, but the firm was soon succeeded by Mr. Jefts, who is 
in possession at the present time. The lower mill of Warren 
E. Marble was built by Jacob Whiteman about 1825. The 
saw-mill was built by his father, Luke Marble, in 1863. On 
this stream and at an early date there were two other mills. 
The first one was l)uilt by Henry Hall, a son of the emigrant, 
immediately after the Revolution. It stood between the 
two mills of Mr. Marble. After several years, Mr. Hall 
removed his mill to the outlet of Watatic pond and near his 
residence. It was not kept in repair many years and no 
other mill has been erected on the same site. The other 
mill on the stream falling into Ward pond was built by 



408 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Nicholas Whiteman and was subsequently owned by his son 
Jacob Whiteman. It was burned about 1820. During the 
past twenty years, Luke Marble and his sons have manufact- 
ured a considerable quantity of lumber and chair stock. 

Chairs. — The monkey for ages has sat upon the ground. 
In this way he enjoys his rest and consumes his leisure hours 
in the contemplation of the simplest philosophies. Assuming 
that the Darwinian theory is correct, there is ample evidence 
for the conclusion that the progressive development of man 
and the stages of his civilization and enlightenment have 
been marked by his use of seats, and by the genius displayed 
in their design and construction. The chairs of the present, 
in grace of outline, and in a practical adaptability to the use 
for which they are designed, are a sure exponent of the prog- 
ress of the times in the art of mechanism. In this manu- 
facture, both in the number and the value of the annual 
product, Ashburnham yields the palm to Gardner and 
surveys the remaining field without a peer. In the early 
manufacture of chair stock in this town the conditions re- 
quired only a small room in some part of the dwelling-house, 
a saw, a frow and a shave, while a foot-lathe introduced the 
owner to the front rank among the chair makers of that 
period. The terms of admission to the business were so 
simple and the outlay of money so small that the number 
who supplemented their other employment with the manu- 
facture of chairs or chair stock, was only exceeded by the 
tax list. To make an entire chair was an early ambition of 
Ashburnham, while to turn a good chair leg was only the 
simplest inspiration of intuition. Ask the aged man of Ash- 
burnham who were Revolutionary soldiers, and beginning 
with his father and his uncles he slowly names a few. Ask 
him who were early Federalists or Orthodox or Methodists 
and his memory fails. But ask him who were chair makers 



MECHANICAL INDUSTRIES. 409 

when he was young and instantly his eye brightens with the 
light of returning memories. He becomes loquacious. He 
counts the names of all he knew, traversing his finger-tips 
over and over again, and if in the pauses of enumeration the 
reckless instigator of the proceedings essays to retire, he 
calls him back and names every son of these chair-making 
sires. 

If not the first to engage in this business, certainly among 
those who early made the manufacture of chairs an occupa- 
tion, was John Eaton, a native of Lancaster, who removed 
to this town in 1805 from AsHby, where he had learned his 
trade. Here he remained four years when he removed to 
Royalston. It is said that Enos Jones persuaded Mr. Eaton 
to locate in Ashburnham, and that he agreed to purchase a 
stipulated number of chairs. Some of the daughters of Mr. 
Jones were recently married and others were seriously con- 
templating a similar event, and in ordet that he might add a 
certain number of chairs to the marriage outfit of his daugh- 
ters, he engaged the services of Mr. Eaton who not only 
answered the demands of his employer but supplied the 
wants of other families in the neighborhood. While thus 
engaged, and possibly to stimulate his business by creating 
a new demand for his wares, Mr. Eaton married the youngest 
daughter of his patron. For several years, commencing 
about 1820, Charles and Deacon John C. Davis, at North 
Ashburnham, and Charles Munroe at South Ashburnham, 
were actively engaged in this business. In the course of a 
few years water power was employed in turning stock and 
Joshua Burgess, Deacon John C. Glazier, Alvin Ward and, 
probably, others were engaged in some branches of the 
business. These pioneers were soon joined b}^ John Conn, 
Hai-vey M. Bancroft, Lyman Conant, Thomas E. Glazier, 
Moses Ross, James Blodget, Joseph Rice, Josiah Eaton, 



410 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Jesse Ellis, Sumner May, Hezekiah Matthews, Samuel S. 
Stevens, and many others. A feature of the busmess at this 
time was the sale of turned stock in the lower towns and, in 
fact, many persons named conducted no other business, and 
few of them were engaged in the manufacture of finished 
chairs. 

In 1833 Philip R, Merriam began the manufacture of 
chairs where the extensive factories of the Boston Chair 
Manufacturing Company now stand. He was also engaged 
in teaming chairs to Boston and other places and hauling 
freight of all description. From the little mill and small 
beginning of Mr, Merriam has been developed an industry 
which has added fame and wealth to this town. To this 
date the development of the business had been slow and un- 
productive of substantial results. Even in sanguine dreams 
the possibilities of the future had never been suggested. 
Upon the clumsy methods and tedious processes of the early 
days the genius which has attended the later years had shed 
no light. Yet, if slow, the early growth was solid. The 
foundations were laid in patient toil and upon them the 
modern structure has been safely reared and supported. At 
this date, and in a field inviting conquest, Charles and George 
C. Winchester began an intelligent study of the business. 
Charles Winchester bought the shop of Philip E. Merriam 
and, subsequently, joined in the enterprise by the younger 
brother, an important business was soon established. In the 
ardor of sanguine temperaments, and the hope and courage 
of young men, they quickly comprehended a measure, at 
least, of its future possibilities. At once, rebels against 
antiquated methods and patrons of every approved innova- 
tion, they increased the capacity of their works as rapidly as 
the profits of the business would permit. With unwearied 
application they directed their energies to the accomplish- 



MECHANICAL INDUSTRIES. 411 

ment of a defined purpose until the images of their early- 
dreams became material forms. With them in their active 
days every success was an incentive to renewed conquest. 
They held every point for which they had contended and 
fought their way to the foremost rank. To these men the 
town of Ashburnham is indebted. If the Winchesters have 
retired from an active participation in the business the fact 
remains, that it was fostered by them and that it was the 
force of their genius and energy which ably assisted in 
assigning to Ashburnham an important position among the 
manufacturing towns of the Commonwealth. The facts are 
not at hand nor is it possible to state the. details of the 
growth and magnitude of the business, while under the 
direction of the Winchesters. They were building and 
enlarging continually. The record of advancement enlivens 
the transactions of every year. A few of the dates and a 
summary of the results are briefly stated. 

In 1842 the small shop and the business of Mr. Merriam 
was purchased by Charles Winchester ; in 1848 George C. 
Winchester was admitted to an equal interest in the business. 
The mills, from time to time, were enlarged to nearly their 
present capacity and chairs of their manufacture of every 
style and design were found in every domestic and foreign 
market. They purchased and erected many tenement 
houses, and many mills in the surrounding towns were under 
their control. At the dissolution of the firm in 1870, the 
number of men employed in the manufacture of chairs was 
about two hundred and at times this number was considerably 
exceeded. From 1870 to 1878 the business was continued 
by George C. Winchester. At the first he assumed the 
burdens and conducted the enterprise with his accustomed 
energy, and the volume of the business for several years was 
fully sustained, but it gradually became apparent that his 



412 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

brain was overworked and his native forces were failing him. 
After a few years of partial, and finally of entire, suspension 
of business, the property was purchased in 1880 by several 
individuals who organized a stock company. 

The value of the plant, exclusive of stock and personal 
property, is $75,000. The capital stock is 1150,000. In 
the manufacture of chairs the corporation owns and occupies 
thirty-four buildings, having a total flooring of 300,000 feet 
or about seven acres. The main factory is of wood, four 
stories, and ground dimensions of 160 by 48 feet; the saw- 
mill is brick, two stories, 100 by 50 feet ; the main paint 
shop of wood; four stories, is 160 by 40 feet. The works 
are driven by an engine of 200-horse power and the river 
rated at 35-horse power is fully utilized. The accompanying 
illustration faithfully represents the number and the relative 
location of the buildings. The number of men now em- 
ployed is 200, beside 100 inmates of the Hampden Count}^ 
House of Correction and as many women and children in this 
vicinity who are engaged in filling cane chairs. The present 
annual product is 360,000 chairs, which yield an income 
from sales of $200,000. The facilities will accommodate an 
annual business of $400,000 and arrangements are maturing 
to employ every resource at command. With one, and 
possibly two exceptions, this is the most extensive chair 
manufactory in New England. In addition to the manufact- 
ure of the standard lines, and following a series of success- 
ful experiments, this company is now making chairs com- 
posed in part, and in some patterns wholly, of bent material. 
With ingenious appliances the wood is shaped into graceful 
forms and swiftly directed into circles and all manner of 
curves. These chairs of many patterns, presenting no right 
lines or angles, are graceful and attractive in outline, and are 
admitted to be superior in strength and general appearance 




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MECHANICAL INDUSTRIES. 413 

to the foreign chair from which they have been copied. The 
process of this manufacture originated in Austria, and skilled 
mechanics from that country were here employed in perfect- 
ing the required machinery and patterns. The present facili- 
ties will produce 30,000 chairs of this kind annually and in 
the markets there is an increasing demand. W. G. Wheil- 
don, whose office is in Boston, has been treasurer of the 
company from the date of its incorporation. Luther B. 
Adams was the manager until 1885 when he was succeeded 
by F. S. Coolidge. 

Prominent among the chair manufactories of this town and 
in this vicinity are the extensive factories of Wilbur F. 
Whitney at Ashburnham Junction. Mr. Whitney has been 
schooled in the business from boyhood. He is in the prime 
and strength of life, yet within his experience all the modern 
machinery in general use has been tested and approved. In 
mechanical skill, in a prompt and clear comprehension of 
the growing demands of the trade and in the adoption of 
new methods to meet the changing requirements of the 
business, he has advanced to a prominent position among 
the manufacturers of the present time. The business was 
originally established by his father, John Whitney, in West- 
minster nearly sixty years ago. In 1865 Mr. Whitney 
purchased an interest in the Glazier mill in South Ashburn- 
ham w^here he was engaged in active business three years. 
In 1868 he sold his interest in the Glazier mill and bought a 
mill of Merriam and Allen, situated one-fourth mile east from 
the depot. Here he remained fourteen years and was suc- 
cessful. A part of the time he was in partnership with 
Irving E. Platts. Sustaining and constantly enlarging his 
operations with the profits of the business and with the 
erection of a new building, he increased the capacity of his 
works until he gave employment to eighty men and manu- 



414 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

factured chairs to the amount of $150,000 annually. In 
March, 1882, the factory was burned. The loss above in- 
surance was heavy. To build again was an early and for the 
town a fortunate resolve. Mr. Whitney purchased a site 
near the depot and immediately erected a factory of three 
and one-half stories, 136 by 40 feet, and a paint shop 100 
by 30 feet. The chairs made in these works are the modern 
styles of cane-seat chairs. The wood material includes all 
varieties of native hard wood and black walnut, which is 
procured in the West. Having built a new mill for its 
accommodation, 60 by 40 feet, and three stories above the 
basement, he supplemented his business in 1884 with the 
manufacture of rattan chairs. In 1886 this factory was 
enlarged by the addition of fifty feet, and it is now 110 by 
40 feet, with a flooring of 17,600 feet. At the present time 
Mr. Whitney employs 140 men. His manufacture yields an 
annual product of $175,000. The full capacity of his 
factories at prevailing prices is about $250,000. The rattan, 
from which the cane for chairs is taken, is a product of 
Sumatra and the adjacent islands. The improved machinery 
employed by Mr. Whitney in splitting and shaving the 
material was made under the patents and is operated under 
the immediate supervision of George W. Lombard. 

Orange Whitney, who occupies the Burgess mills, gives 
employment to thirty men and manufactures chairs to the 
amount of $50,000 annually. Since 1881 he has resided in 
Winchendon. The first mill on this site in which there was 
a saw-mill and a grist-mill was built by Joshua B. Burgess 
in 1844. The building was burned in 1850 and immediately 
rebuilt. Mr. Burgess was also engaged in the manufacture 
of chairs. In 1856 he was succeeded by Edward S. Flint, 
Jonathan H. Piper and James Blodget under the firm of 
Flint, Piper and Blodget. In 1861 Mr. Flint became 



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MECHANICAL INDUSTRIES. 415 

proprietor of the business which he continued alone and with 
partners until 1873. Abner White succeeded Mr. Flint and. 
continued the manufacture until 1878. At this time Benja- 
min E. Wetherbee purchased the property and leased it to 
Mr. Whitney. 

Irving E. Platts has been actively engaged in this manu- 
facture several years. He occupies the Glazier mill and 
usually employs about fifteen men. There has been a mill 
upon this site many years. In 1824 Deacon John C. Glazier 
bought the premises of Charles Munroe and after his death 
in 1861, the property had several owners and was purchased 
by Benjamin E. Wetherbee in 1868. The new mill, on the 
opposite side of the highway, was built in 1872. It is 
occupied by Mr. Wetherbee in the manufacture of bent 
chair stock. He gives employment to several men. 
Another chair shop in South Ashburnham was built in 1856 
by Sumner and Charles S. May. They were engaged in the 
business until recently when the premises were leased to B. 
Duane & Co., the partners being Bernard Duane and Orange 
Whitney who manufacture towel racks and cradles. 

From about 1837 to 1848 chairs were manufactured on the 
site of the Naukeag Cotton Factory by several individuals 
and firms, including James Osgood, Samuel S. Stevens and 
Alvin Kendall. From thirty to forty years ago, for some 
reason, nearly every merchant in the central village was 
also a manufacturer of chairs, and while Corey, Barrett and 
Kibling were selling staple goods at their store they were 
making; chairs in a mill which stood on the site of the 
morocco shop. 

Burrageville, once the scene of a promising and active 
enterprise, was founded by chair makers. George S. Bur- 
rage, then of Leominster, about 1848, bought of George L. 
Beals a saw-mill, dwelling-house and a large tract of timber 



416 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

land. The price paid was thirteen thousand dollars. The 
saw-mill was burned about that time and rebuilt in its 
present form and chairs were made in the upper story. The 
company, including George S., William F. and Charles W. 
Burrage, was formed, and under the firm name of Burrage 
Brothers they built in 1853 the paint shop, 40 by 80 feet, 
which still remains, and the following year a chair factory, 
40 by 100 feet, was erected on the stream above the saw- 
mill. For a number of years the firm was actively engaged 
in the manufacture of chairs and gave employment to a large 
number of men. In the mean time they built several 
tenement houses and were conducting a store in another 
building which they erected. In the midst of these scenes 
of activity and promise, in 1858 the chair factory was burned 
and the enterprise was crippled beyond recovery. William 
F. Burrage retired from the firm in 1857 and returned to 
Leominster where he died November 11, 1873. Charles W. 
Burrage sold his interest to his brother, George S. Burrage, 
who again became sole owner of the premises in 1859. The 
younger brother, Charles, completed his studies, which had 
been interrupted by the allurements of business, and gradu- 
ated at Yale College 1861, and since that date he has resided 
in Portland, Oregon. George S. Burrage removed to 
California where he died May 16, 1876. While residents 
of this town they were useful and prominent citizens and 
occupied many positions of trust. 

From about 1864 to 1868 a limited business was con- 
ducted in the saw-mill by J. H. and E. L. Hodge who came 
from Templeton. The property was purchased by Charles 
L. Beals of Winchendon in 1869, and is occupied by 
George L. Beals, Jr. 

Tubs and Pails were made in this town a few years, 
beginning about 1825, by Joshua Townsend. His shop was 



MECHANICAL INDUSTRIES. 417 

on Mill street. The quantity made at this early date did 
not materially exceed the demands of a limited market. In 
1839 Oliver G. Caldwell and Elbridge Stimson began the 
manufacture on a more extensive scale, which, under succes- 
sive firms, has been continued to the present time. In 1848 
Mr. Stimson sold' his interest to William P. Ellis and the 
firm of O. G. Caldwell & Co. was continued until 1853 when 
the mill and machinery were purchased by George Rockwood 
and Addison A. Walker. Mr. Rockwood sold his interest 
to his son, George G. Rockwood, in 1866, but the name of 
the firm was not changed. The firm was dissolved by the 
retirement of Mr. Walker in 1876, and the mill was burned 
in 1883. Mr. Rockwood purchased the Winchester mill and 
has continued the manufacture to the present time. The 
business has been successfully conducted through these 
many years and is an important feature of the manufactures 
of this town. 

From about 1843 to 1851 this manufacture was conducted 
by two or three firms which included William Tenney, 
Samuel J. Tenney and Henry Lawrence. They occupied a 
part of the mill of E. Gross and Son and were successful. 
In 1856 Colonel Enoch Whitmore began the manufacture of 
tubs and continued the business several years. 

Thread Spools were formerly made in this town, and 
the manufacture was a prominent industry for many years. 
About 1830 Colonel Enoch Whitmore and Deacon Gilman 
Jones, under the firm of Whitmore and Jones, built a mill 
in the northwest part of the town on the western border of 
the Bellows grant, and established an extensive business in 
the manufacture of this ware. Their mill was burned in 
1840 and another in 1850. The large mill, now unoccupied, 
Was erected in the autumn of 1850 and the business was 

continued by Colonel Whitmore until his death. The water 

27 



418 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

power was supplemented by steam and in the last mill there 
was an engine of forty-horse i)ower and for several years the 
full capacity of the mill was employed. This manufacture 
has been controlled of late by the proprietors of the thread 
mills and has been conducted near the centres of the trade. 
Nathaniel L. Eaton and Lysander Harris also manufactured 
spools in the lower mill, now of Packard Brothers, from 
1855 to 1862. In 1859 Leonard Foster purchased new 
machinery and prosecuted this industry with success several 
years. 

Friction Matches have been made in this town quite 
extensively. In 1837 William Brooks beganthe manufact- 
ure in North Ashburnham in a small shop built for the 
purpose and from time to time enlarged the business until a 
new shop was built for its accommodation. In itself the 
business of Mr. Brooks was successful, but he became 
involved in litigations concerning infringements of patents 
which offset the legitimate income of the enterprise. Mr. 
Brooks was succeeded by Eliakim T. Russell who continued 
the manufacture until 1865. 

By am, Carlton & Co. of Boston, for a few years, made a 
part of their matches in this town. They occupied a shop 
now owned by Daniels Ellis. Francis Kibling and Daniels 
Ellis were also engaged in the business. Another industry 
has been the manufacture of match stock or cards prepared 
for dipping. Those engaged in this business were Alvin 
Ward, Leonard Foster, Alonzo L. Willard, Eaton and 
Harris, Milton Lane and others. 

Baskets have been made by John M. Pratt in South 
Ashburnham during the past thirty years. His shop, 
formerly a Methodist parsonage, was moved from West- 
minster. He has steam power, a trip-hammer and 
machinery adapted to the business. Formerly, the baskets 



MECHANICAL INDUSTRIES. 4I9 

for farm and household use were made entirely of ash. Of 
late, rattan has been used for filling and new patterns of 
baskets for a variety of uses have been manufactured. 

D00R8, Sash and Blinds have been manufactured by 
Reuben Puffer in South Ashburnham. Like all other mills 
in this town, some parts of it have been used in the manufact- 
ure of chairs. In this mill there has been a number of 
tenants but none of them have conducted a very extensive 
business. 

Miscellaneous wood- ware, not included in the foregoing 
paragraphs, has been manufactured in this town by Colonel 
Whitmore, Warren F. Sawtell, Isaac D. Ward, LeRoy 
Butler, F. H. Rideout, William P. Ellis, Fletcher Brothers, 
and in 1884 Samuel N. Noyes began the manufacture of toys 
on Water street, giving employment to ten or twelve men 
and producing a variety of miscellaneous wares. 

Wool Carding and Cloth Dressing. — Thomas Park 
removed to this town in 1779 and about 1790 he built a 
small mill on the east side of the river and nearly opposite 
the present site of the blacksmith shop. In this mill he was 
the first to engage in fulling and dressing the cloth which 
had been woven in hand looms. He sold in 1800 to Fitch 
Crosby who conducted a prosperous business until about 
1840. This mill was subsequently owned by Horace Black, 
who was engaged in the manufacture of furniture. It was 
finally destroyed by the freshet in 1850. Commencing 
about 1815 Mr. Crosby and Joshua Townsend began wool 
carding by power. Their cards were in a shop that stood on 
the site of the morocco shop. 

Samuel Dunster, about 1820, built a shop for wool carding 
where the tub shop of Rockwood and Walker was burned. 
In this business he was succeeded by Dr. Nathaniel Pierce. 
Mr. Dunster built another shop for this business, below his 



420 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

grist-mill, at Factory Village. This building was washed 
away b}^ the freshet but the cards had not been run for 
several years previously. In 1825, or about the time card- 
ing machines were introduced on Mill street, Joshua, Moses, 
and Jeremiah Stowell, from Temple, New Hampshire, built 
a shop on the North Turnpike and began wool carding and 
spinning. With the aid of hand looms they manufactured 
broadcloth of a firm texture and substantial character. In 
this business they were succeeded about 1830 by Charles 
Stimson. 

Cotton Factories. — Cotton spinning by power and the 
manufacture supplemented by hand looms was begun in this 
town as early as 1811 or 1812. Samuel Dunster of this 
town owning three-fourths and Roger Chandler of Mason, 
New Hampshire, owning one-fourth, were the first to engage 
in this business. Their mill was at Factory Village. It was 
subsequently owned by Samuel Barrett, Jewett and Woods 
and George Blackburn & Co., who purchased it in 1843. 
The mill was burned in 1846 and a larger mill was built 
immediately after. The last mill was burned in 1877. The 
factory on Water street was built by an incorpgrated com- 
pany in 1849. The stock was held by residents of this 
town who, without previous experience in the business, run 
the mill a few years and until the debt of the corporation 
was equal to the value of the plant. The mill was sold in 
1856 to George Blackburn and Ohio Whitney, Jr. The 
amount received from this sale paid the indebtedness of the 
corporation and thirteen cents on one hundred dollars of the 
capital stock. It will be observed that the corporation could 

have run the mill about eight hours longrer without an assess- 
es o 

ment. Mr. Whitney continued his interest in the mill and 
the business about ten years when he sold to George Black- 
burn & Co., who have continued to the present time. 



MECHANICAL INDUSTRIES. 421 

Tanneries. — Following a custom of the time, the hides 
of domestic animals were tanned on shares or for stipulated 
compensation and the leather returned to the owner. The 
operation of tanning hides and dressing leather consumed 
time and often the leather fell into the hands of an adminis- 
trator or the heirs of the original owner of the hides. In all 
the old New England towns there were numerous little 
tanneries located near a convenient brook where without 
machinery of any kind the process was slowly conducted. 
Mention will be made of some of the old locations where this 
business was formerly conducted, and if, by any chance, one 
or more of them have not been discovered in this review of 
the past no immediate prejudice against the industry of a 
former generation will be encouraged thereby. 

Near the close of the Revolution, Willard Lane commenced 
this business where now is the residence of Walter O. Parker. 
He sold in 1797 to Deacon William J. Lawrence who en- 
larged the facilities and for the time conducted an extensive 
business. 

Captain David Gushing divided his time between tanning 
and other employments. He lived where Nahum Wood now 
resides. His vats were north of the house and part of them 
are now covered by the highway. Levi Adams succeeded 
Mr. Gushing but soon closed out the business. 

Stephen Gorey had a yard where George F. Gorey now 
resides and was engaged in tanning a number of years early 
in the present century. In one of the vats his daughter was 
drowned. The business was later conducted by Stephen 
Gorey, Jr. On his farm on Russell hill James Adams had 
several vats and conducted the business a number of years. 
This farm was subsequently owned and occupied by Joseph 
Adams. 



422 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

John Caldwell was also a tanner as well as a farmer. He 
lived on the farm now of Alden B. Marble and was succeeded 
by his son, Oliver G. Caldwell. The father and son con- 
ducted a limited business about thirty years, commencing 
early in the present century. The Cald wells were the first 
in this town to employ water power in grinding bark. 
Formerly it had been ground in a crude mill turned by a 
horse which described the same circle many times in the 
labor of the day. The horse was spoiled for other work and 
literally died in the harness. So slowly did he move even 
under the lash, and so gradually did his energies waste away, 
that it required nice discrimination and keen exercise of a 
sound judgment to determine with accuracy the precise time 
to transfer the half-tanned hide from the dying animal to one 
of the vats. 

Fletcher and Warren of Stow once had a yard where the 
pail shop of George G. Rock wood now stands. The yard 
was formerly conducted by Deacon William J. Lawrence 
who was owner of the yard at the foot of Lawrence street. 
The yard was badly injured and the buildings destroyed by 
the freshet in 1850 and the business was never resumed on 
this site. 

From 1855 to 1866 Elbridge Stimson conducted the 
business in the old morocco shop which was recently burned. 
At the time he was the only tanner in the town and no one 
has succeeded him. 

The Morocco Business. — Thomas Russell began the 
morocco business in this town about sixty years ago. His 
shop was on Russell hill in the third school district and 
opposite the farm of Ward Russell. After about five years, 
he sold the business to Walter Russell, who was succeeded 
by Frank Russell and Samuel V. Whitney. In 1852 they 
removed the business to Water street, occupying the old tan- 



MECHANICAL INDUSTRIES. 493 

neiy buildings where the factory of George G. Rockwood 
now stands. About thirty years ago they erected the build- 
ing familiarly known as the morocco shop. At this time the 
business was enlarged, becoming an important factor among 
the industries of the town. In the new shop they were 
succeeded by Austin Whitney who with several partners 
continued the business until the shop was burned in 1882. 

Ivers and Thomas Adams were successfully engaged in 
finishing morocco on Russell hill from 1838 to 1860. In 
1833 James Adams built a shop on the site of the mill now 
of Cyrus A. Jefts. In connection with pulling wool and 
tanning he finished morocco until he removed in 1849 to 
Pennsylvania. He was succeeded by Luther B. and Andrew 
J. Adams. The following year the property was destroyed 
by the freshet and Luther B. Adams, Elbridge Stimson and 
Austin Whitney built the shop on Brown brook where they 
conducted the same business a few years. 

Among the possibilities of this town should be mentioned 
the business and residence here of John and Salmon W. 
Putnam, who removed from Mason, New Hampshire, in 
1837 and commenced business as machinists in the old 
cotton factory at Factory Village. Here they remained 
three years when they removed to Fitchburg where they 
established an important industry which still bears their 
name and continues to contribute to the fame and w^ealth of 
that city. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

THE ASHBUKNHAM LIGHT INFANTRY. 

ZEAL IN MILITARY PURSUITS. EARLY OFFICERS. THE LIGHT INFANTRY 

ORGANIZED. FIRST COMMANDERS. A FEW VETERANS. SERVICE IN 

WAR OP 1812. THE ROLL. YEARS OF PROSPERITY. LIST OF OFFICERS 

1791 TO 1847. PROMOTIONS. THE MILITIA COMPANY. MILITIA OF- 
FICERS. THE DRAFT 1814. HISTORY FROM 1855 TO 18G2. BRIEF 

RECORD FROM 1866 TO PRESENT TIME. LIST OF OFFICERS. 

Enthusiasm in military affairs for many years succeeding 

the Revolution was spontaneous. The man of middle age, 

familiar with the manual of arms and the school of the soldier, 

was fond of the pomp and display of military pageants. The 

youth, listening from childhood to the stories of battles and 

campaigns in which the eloquent narrators had been engaged, 

were early imbued with a kindred zeal in these pursuits. 

The old soldier, debarred by the infirmities of age from 

active participation in the exercises of the field, was ever 

present with words of encouragement and support. In 

those days, either in deed or in spirit, all were soldiers. 

Encouraged by public sentiment and fostered by the laws of 

the Commonwealth, a military establishment was easily 

maintained, and in addition to other incentives there was 

associated with rank and with military titles an acknowledged 

dignity and honor which firmly appealed to the ambition of 

men. With such surroundings every military parade was 

conducted with enthusiasm and was witnessed by a crowd of 

424 



THE ASHBURNHAM LIGHT INFANTRY. 425 

applauding people. On these occasions the drum, the fife 
and the attending juvenile suflered no restraint. The stated 
trainings and the musters were scenes of bustle and activity 
in which a Quaker would have been regarded with contempt 
and supremely pitied in his loneliness. 

The town of Ashburuham, eagerly participating in the 
prevailing sentiment of the times, manifested a lively interest 
in the local military organizations which for many years were 
sustained with a steadfast enthusiasm. In addition to all the 
requirements of the State, an independent military organiza- 
tion has been maintained in this town, almost without inter- 
ruption, since the Revolution. 

In a former chapter it appears that the minute-men of this 
town were under the command of Captain Jonathan Gates 
from 1775 to 1781. Upon a reorganization of the militia, 
the company in this town became known as the seventh 
company of the Eighth Regiment. July 1, 1781, Francis 
Lane was commissioned captain, Ebenezer Conant, Jr., first 
lieutenant, and Daniel Putnam, second lieutenant. Lieuten- 
ant Conant died in 1783 and Captain Rand was promoted to 
major, and to lieutenant-colonel, 1787. In connection with 
these events, other ofiicers of the Ashburnham company 
probably were appointed, of which no record has been found. 
May 2, 1787, Daniel Putnam was commissioned captain, 
Ebenezer Munroe, lieutenant, and John Abbott, ensign. 
Lieutenant Munroe and Ensign Abbott were not promoted. 
These titles became permanently affixed to their names. 
The next commander of the company probably was Joseph 
Jewett. No record of his first commission has been dis- 
covered, but he was in command of the company in 1789, 
and about this time John Adams was an ensign and a 
lieutenant. 



426 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Until a later date there was only one company of militia 
in this town, and, until 1791, it does not appear that the 
company organization was privileged or distinguished from 
any other militia company organized under the general laws 
of the State. But in June, 1791, the General Court granted 
the petition of the military men of this town, presented by 
General Timothy Newell, and under the rights and privileges 
thus secured the Ashburnham Light Infantry was promptly 
organized. Its legal existence properly dates from the issue 
of the first commissions to its officers, July 13, 1791. The 
petition and the proceedings of the General Court were as 
follows : 

To THE Honourable, the Senate and the House of Repre- 
sentatives IN General Court Assembled : 

The petition of Timothy Newell Major General of the seventh 
division of Militia in said Commonwealth humbly sheweth : — 

That a number of persons, in the town of Ashburnham in the 
4th Regiment in the 2*^ Brigade of said Division, did (when under 
the command of the Hon."'' Maj."" Gen.^ Warner) agree to form 
themselves into a Company of Light Infantry and as doubts have 
arisen whether said persons can be formed into any other than an 
independent company and as it is not the wish of said i^ersons to 
be thus established, your petitioner therefore prays that liberty be 
granted to raise a Company of Light Infantry' within the aforesaid 
Regiment to be considered as a Company of Regimental Light 
Infantry under the command of the Colonel or Commanding 
officer of said Regiment. 

The foregoing petition was presented June 18, 1791, and 
in response the Legislature passed the following resolve : 

Resolved, That His Excellency the Governor be and he is 
hereby empowered and requested to issue orders for forming a 
•Company of Light Infantry in the town of Ashburnham, provided 
they do not reduce the standing company of militia in said town 



THE ASHBURNHAM LIGHT INFANTRY, 427 

to a less number than sixt3' privates of the train baud ; the officers 
of said Light Infantry corapany to be appointed and commissioned 
in the same way and manner as is provided by law for the appoint- 
ing and commissioning other military officers. Said company 
when so formed to be under the command of the Colonel or com- 
manding officer of the fourth regiment of the second brigade in 
said division. 

Under the privileges extended by this proceeding the 
Ashburnham Light Inftmtry was promptly organized. The 
first officers, commissioned July 13, 1791, were Joseph 
Jewett, captain, Caleb Kendall, lieutenant, and Charles 
Hastings, ensign. The following year Captain Jewett was 
promoted to major, and Charles Hastings was commissioned 
captain, August 27, 1792, and consequently was the second 
commander of the company. 

Concerning the names or the number of men who belonged 
to the company during the first twenty years of its legal 
existence there is no complete record. Beginning with the 
command of Ivers Jewett in 1813 the Ashburnham Light 
Infantry entered upon an era of prosperity. A book of 
enlistments, containing the names of all who were members 
of the company in 1813, with dates of original enlistment 
and the names of all who enlisted from that date to 1845, is 
carefully preserved in the archives of the company. At the 
close of the year 1813, the number of rank and file, including 
non-commissioned officers and musicians, was fifty men. 
The only original member of the company was James Laws, 
Jr., of Westminster, who enlisted first in the militia in 
April, 1789, two years before the company was organized 
under permission of the Legislature. The next in duration 
of service was Joseph F. Burgess who joined in 1796, and 
following with a record of seven years or more of service are 
the names of Joseph Miller, Jonas Holden, John Gates, Jr., 



428 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Jacob Ward, James Adams, Ebenezer Munroe, Jr., Charles 
Munroe, John Hastings, Ebenezer Adams, Ivers Jewett, 
Walter R. Adams, Timothy Crehore, Jr., Dickerson Brooks 
and Jonathan Samson, Jr. Including the existing company 
in 1813 and the subsequent enlistments to 1845, the record 
contains three hundred and ninety-eight names. 

The obligation to which each recruit subscribed, copied on 
the first page of the book of enlistment by the hand of Ivers 
Jewett, is probably a copy of the obligation adopted in 1791. 
It is here transcribed and will be familiar to many now 
living : 

To facilitate the performance of the duty, which we owe to our 
country, of adding to our character as citizens some portion of the 
skill of the soldier, to increase our usefulness as militia men by 
adding to the zeal which is excited by patriotism, the ardor which 
is inspired by emulation and to give to each one of us who exert- 
ing himself for his own and his State's defence that confidence in 
the zealous and skilful cooperation of each other wliich can result 
only in military discipline ; We do hereby, agreeable to a resolve 
from the General Court of this Commonwealth, passed June the 
eighteenth, A. D. seventeen hundred and ninety-one for the 
raising of a Light Infantry company in the town of Ashburnham, 
voluntarily enlist as members of the Ashburnham Light Infantry 
company and to govern us in the pursuit of these objects we agree 
to equip ourselves according to the laws of this Commonwealth, to 
uniform according to the uniform of said company, which is per 
according to the clerk's book, and to submit to the rules and 
regulations of said company. All of which we pledge our honors 
to perform. 

In the war of 1812, the Ashburnham Light Infantry was 
held in a state of suspense through the summer of 1813 and 
a part of the following year. The indifference of Massa- 
chusetts to the prosecution of the war is a part of the general 



THE ASHBURNHAM LIGHT INFANTRY. 429 

history of the times. So ftir as individual opinion was con- 
cerned the general sentiment of the town was in support of 
the position of Governor Strong. But the spirit of the 
soldier arose in triumph over the prevailing sentiment of the 
town. During the progress of the war, the company was 
frequently disciplined in the exercise of arms and expectantly 
awaited the summons to march. 

During the summer of 1814 the presence of an unusual 
number of the armed vessels of the enemy caused frequent 
and grave alarm on the sea-coast. At this time several 
reg-iments of State militia were called out and were stationed 
in Boston and vicinity. The Ashburnham Light Infantry 
was ordered into the service earl}^ in the month of Septem- 
ber. There are several now living who remember the 
hurried preparation and departure from this town. It was 
on the Sabbath. The company assembled at the Jewett 
store and after brief words of counsel and fervent prayer for 
their safe return by Rev. Dr. Gushing, the arms, ammunition 
and equipage were on a long line of wagons hastily engaged 
for the occasion. The soldiers were in uniform but in the 
general features of the day there was only a faint suggestion 
of a military demonstration. The highway was filled with 
vehicles of all descriptions which were employed to transport 
the army on its way. The wagons were unloaded at Lan- 
caster. The men were ordered under arms and they pro- 
ceeded on their way in a more warlike demonstration. They 
arrived in due time at Boston and were mustered into the 
service September H. The company was stationed at South 
Boston and Dorchester fifty-one days and was discharged 
October 30, 1814. Soon after their safe return to their 
homes, Rev. Dr. Gushing preached a sermon addressed 
particularly to the soldiers, congratulating them and the 
public on the prospect of peace. The sermon contains some 



430 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



wholesome advice. "Let me caution you to take heed that 
you rejoice without infringing upon the rules of temperance. 
The pleasure of this day is marred if anything takes place 
inconsistent with your characters as men and Christians." 

The following is the roll of the company at this time. 
The three last names were enrolled a few days before the 
company was ordered into service. The remaining names 
are transcribed from the official roll at the annual inspection 
in May preceding. Four of the company — James Laws, 
Jr., Jonas Holden, Joseph Policy and Adam Butler — were 
residents of Westminster. 

Ivers Jewett, Captain 
Timothy Crehore, Lieutenant 
Walter R. Adams, Ensign 



Ebenezer Adams, Sergeant 
John Gates, Jr., " 

Reuben Townsend, Jr., " 
Elijah Brooks, " 

James Adams, Fifer 

Benjamin Barrett, " 
Oliver Barrett, Drummer 
Amos Stone, " 

Laban Gushing, " 
Jonathan Samson, Jr. 
Josiah White 
Reuben Rice, Jr. 
Luther Bigelow 
Joseph F. Burgess 
James Billings 
Ebenezer Flint 
James Laws, Jr. 
Charles Munroe 
Ebenezer Munroe, Jr. 
Joseph Miller 



Stephen Marble 
Joseph Rice 
Joseph Townsend 
Ephraim Taylor 
Jonas Holden 
Humphrey Harris 
Henry Gipson 
Joel Marble 
George Wilker, Jr. 
Adam Butler 
Thomas Howard 
Charles Stimson 
Asahel Corey 
Caleb Willard 
Elisha Garfield 
Elias Blodgett 
Enoch Whitmore 
Charles Barrett 
Asia Phillips 
Dickerson Brooks 



THE ASHBUKNHAM LIGHT INFANTRY. 431 

Edward Mayuard John Hastings 

Joseph PoUey Reuben Stimson 

Jacob Ward Heman Harris 

Stephen Adams Jabez Marble 

For many years succeeding the war of 1812 the independ- 
ent company was maintained with full ranks. In proficiency 
of drill and standai-d of discipline it was among the first 
companies of the regiment. The ofiicers were frequently 
promoted to command of the regiment and the citizens of 
the town evinced a reasonable pride in the organization. In 
the progress of years the military spirit was sufi'ered to 
decline, the laws of the State were frequently amended and 
proffered a diminishing support and encouragement in the 
maintenance of a military organization. In an hour of 
despondency the company appealed to the town for assist- 
ance, but in this direction they were met with a cold refusal. 
In 1838 a proposition to make a small appropriation for the 
benefit of the company and another to loan them a small 
amount of money, were promptly denied. The sentiment 
of indifference which pervaded the community as a natural 
consequence was disseminated among the ranks of the com- 
pany. From about 1845, the record is gloomy and often 
overcast with inactivity, but the company maintained a legal 
existence and occasionally manifested a spasmodic effort at 
resustication until December 1, 1851, when the remaining 
officers were officially discharged. From that date until 
1855, the company remained beneath the surface. The last 
captain was Nathaniel F. Cutter who resigned November 14, 
1846, and no successor was commissioned. Lieutenant 
Clarence M. Proctor remained lieutenant commanding until, 
as stated, December 1, 1851. In the mean time orders for 
the choice of officers were issued, and in 1847 Colonel 



432 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



Francis J. Barrett was chosen captain, but he declined to 
qualify and assume command of the company. 

From 1791 to 1851 the following officers of the Ashbm-n- 
ham Light Infantry have been commissioned. The absence 
of a date in connection with a very few of the names indi- 
cates that no official record of the commission has been 
found, yet no name has been admitted without ample proof 
of service in the capacity indicated. 



CAPTAINS. 



Joseph Jewett, 
Cliarles Hastings, 
Willard Lane, 
John ScoUay, 
Phinehas Randall, 
Silas Willard, 
Caleb Wilder, 
Grovener Scollay, 
Henry Willard, 
Moses Lawrence, 
Ivers Jewett, 
TimothyCrehore, Jr 
Ebenezer Adams, 
Hosea Stone, 
Charles Barrett, 
John Willard, Jr., 
Joseph Rice, 
Reuben Rice, 
Samuel Foster, 
Emery Rice, 
Asa Merriam, 
Kilburn Harwood, 
Alvin Kendall, 
Henry Kibling, Jr., 
John W. Mossman, 
Asahel Wheeler, 
Jonas Corey, 
Nathaniel F. Cutter, 



1791 
1792 
1795 
1797 

1799 
1805 



1810 
1813 
1815 
1817 
1818 
1820 
1823 
1824 
1827 
1828 
1831 
1832 
1833 

1838 
1841 
1844 
1845 
1846 



LIEUTENANTS. 



Caleb Kendall, 1791 

Willard Lane, 1792 

John Scollay. 1795 

Phinehas Randall, 1797 

Silas Willard, 1798 

Grovener Scollay, 1805 

Henry Willard, ' 1807 

Ivers Jewett, 1811 
Timothy Crehore, Jr. 1813 

Ebenezer Adams, 1815 

Cliarles Barrett, 1817 

John Willard, Jr., 1820 

Joseph Rice, 1822 

Enoch Whitmore, 1824 

Reuben Rice, 1826 

Samuel Foster. 1827 

Oilman Jones, 1828 

Emery Rice, 1830 

Asa Merriam, 1831 

Lewis 0. Houghton, 1832 

Asahel Corey, 1833 

John W. Mossman, 1838 

Asahsl Wheeler, 1841 

Jonas Corey, 1844 

Nathaniel F. Cutter, 1845 
Clarence M. Proctor, 1846 



ENSIGNS. 



Charles Hastings, 1791 

John Scollay, 1792 

Phinehas Randall, 1795 
Silas Willard, 

Grovener Scollay, 1802 

Henry Willard, 1805 

Moses Lawrence, 1807 

Samuel Gates, 1810 

Walter R. Adams, 1813 

John Gates, Jr., 1815 

John Willard, Jr., 1817 

Joseph Rice, 1820 

Reuben Rice, 1822 

Samuel Foster, 1826 

Oilman Jones, 1827 

Emery Rice, 1828 

Asa Merriam, 1830 
Lewis 0. Houghton, 1831 

George Woods, 1832 

Alvin Kendall, 1834 

Henry Ivibling, Jr., 1837 

Asahel Wheeler, 1838 

Francis J. Barrett, 1841 

Jonas Corey, 1841 

Nathaniel F. Cutter, 1844 
Clarence M. Proctor,1845 

Alonzo P. Davis, 1846 



During the last five years of this period there were more 
than two lieutenants. After 1841 there was a third lieu- 
tenant and the officers who held this commission were 
Nathaniel F. Cutter, 1841-44; Clarence M. Proctor, 
1844-45; Alonzo P. Davis, 1845-46; Joseph P. Rice, 
1846-51. The only fourth lieutenant was Samuel V. Whit- 



THE ASHBURNHAM LIGHT INFANTRY. 433 

ney who was in commission from 184(5 to 1851. From the 
oflScers of the Ashbiirnham Light Infantry, there were many 
promotions in the service. 

Colonel Joseph Jewett was commissioned major, June 28, 
1792, and lieutenant-colonel, April 13, 1795. General Ivers 
Jewett, major, April 24, 1815 ; lieutenant-colonel, June 20, 
1816 ; colonel, August 12, 1817 ; brigadier-general. May 11, 
1819 ; major-general, June 10, 1822 ; resigned, May 30 ^ 
1826. Colonel Timothy Crehore, Jr., major, August 12, 
1817; lieutenant-colonel. May 7, 1818; colonel, June 28, 
1819. Colonel Hosea Stone, major, March 23, 1820; lieu- 
tenant-colonel, March 19, 1822. Colonel Charles Barrett, 
major, March 19, 1822; lieutenant-colonel, April 15, 1822; 
colonel, March 2, 1824. Colonel Enoch Whitmore promoted 
from lieutenant to major, July 1, 1826; lieutenant-colonel, 
July 23, 1827 ; colonel, August 31, 1829. Colonel Kilburn 
Harwood, major. May 13, 1837, and colonel, July 24, 1841. 
Colonel Francis J. Barrett promoted from ensign and 
adjutant to major, August 20, 1842 ; lieutenant-colonel, 
September 2, 1843; colonel, August 6, 1844; resigned, 
February 26, 1846. 

It will be remembered that in the resolve of the General 
Court creating the Ashburnham Light Infantry, there was a 
provision that from the men in this town liable to perform 
military duty, sixty or more should be reserved for a militia 
company under the general laws of the State. This service, 
upon those not legally exempt, was compulsory, yet for many 
years it was rendered with apparent alacrity. The company 
of militia was continued and it maintained a visible organiza- 
tion until the annual trainings and musters were abolished. 
The officers of the militia company from 1792 to 1834 were 
as follows : 

28 



434 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



CAPTAINS. 



Jonathan Merriani, 171>2 
Silas Whitney, 1795 

EbenezerT. Adams, 1799 
Henry Kiblinger, 1801 
John Willard, 1802 

Samuel Cotting, 1808 

George R. Gushing, 1807 
Philander J.Willard, 18 11 
Lemuel Whitney, 1813 
Jacob Fairbanks, 1814 
Elias Lane, 181G 

Timothy Stearns, 1818 
Francis Lane, Jr., 1821 
Benjamin Gibbs, 1822 
Jonas Munroe, 1824 

John 0. Davis, 1826 

Jehiel Watkins, 1827 
Henry Kibling, Jr., 1828 
Jonas Nutting, Jr., 1830 
Asa Merriani, 1832 

Josiah L. Wetherbee, 1834 



LIEUTENANTS. 



Isaac Whitmore, 1792 
EbenezerT. Adams, 1795 
Henrj' Kiblinger, 1797 
Nathaniel Foster, 1799 
Caleb Wilder, 1802 

Silas Whitney, 1803 

Ithamer Fairbanks, 1805 
Philander J. Willard, 1809 
Lemuel Whitney, 1811 
Ellas Lane. 1814 

Timothy Stearns, 1816 
Francis Lane, Jr., 1818 
Benjamin Gibbs, 1821 
Jonas Munroe, 1822 

.John C. Davis, 1824 

Jehiel Watkins, 1826 
Henry Kibling, Jr., 1827 
Jonas Nutting, Jr., 1828 
Charles Davis, 1830 

Josiah L.Wetherbee,1833 



ENSIGNS. 



Henry Whiteman, 1792 

John Adams, Jr., 1795 

John Willard, Jr., 1797 

Nathaniel Foster, 1798 

Samuel Cotting, 1799 

Ithamer Fairbanks, 1803 

Lemuel Whitney, 1808 

Elias Lane, 1813 

Timothy Stearns, 1814 

Francis Lane, Jr., 1816 

Charles Stearns, 1818 

Jonas Munroe, 1821 

John C. Davis, 1822 

Jehiel Watkins, 1824 

Henry Kibling, Jr., 1826 

John Leathers, 1827 

Charles Davis, 1828 

Josiah L. W etherbee ,1830 



b 



In 1814 this company, then under the command of Cap- 
tain Jacob Fairbanks, contained seventy men, including 
officers. In the summer of this year a draft of two men was 
made. Tradition asserts that the lot fell on Deacon William 
J. Lawrence and Thomas Hobart. Both of these men were 
Federalists and opposed to the prosecution of the war and 
the administration party greatly rejoiced over the result. In 
regard to Deacon Lawrence the tradition is correct. He 
was drafted at this time and furnished a substitute, but the 
name of Thomas Hobart does not appear on the roll of the 
company. Jesse Ellis was the other man drafted and Henry 
Whiteman was his substitute. From this company Colonel 
Benjamin Gibbs was promoted to major, March 2, 1824, and 
to lieutenant-colonel, March 2, 1825. Colonel Jehiel 
Watkins was promoted to major, August 7, 1841 ; to lieu- 
tenant-colonel, September 6, 1841, and to colonel, Septem- 
ber 2, 1843. Among the regimental officers several were 
adjutants. Dr. Abraham Lowe was appointed regimental 



THE ASHBURNHAM LIGHT INFANTRY. 435 

surgeon, October 3, 1805 ; Dr. Abraham T. Lowe, surgeon's 
mate, March 24, 1821, and Melzer Hudson was appointed 
quartermaster, July 5, 1797. 

The Ashburnham Light Infantry did not long remain 
beneath the surface. The second epoch of its history 
extends from 1855 to 1862. If it faded from existence 
through the tardy processes of disintegration it sprang into 
life with spontaneous and vigorous animation. The slum- 
bering military spirit was swiftly kindled into flame. The 
occasion was found in a Fourth of July celebration at Fitch- 
burg in 1855. The reviving sentiment of the town invited 
Captain Henry Kibling to call together the remaining mem- 
bers of the company and to till the ranks with new recruits. 
The men were drilled and participated in the celebration with 
credit to themselves and to the town. The spirit of former 
years was fully aroused. The company was reorganized and 
continued in a flourishing condition until the war of the 
Rebellion. A conspicuous record of service in the field is 
continued in another chapter. Under authority of the 
following general order the old company was revived : 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 

Head Quarters, Boston, July 13, 1855. 
Special Order No. 30. 

Whereas, Alonzo P. Davis and fifty-eight others of Ashburnham 
have petitioned His Excellency the Governor and Commander-in- 
Chief for libert}' to organize a company of Infantry in the town of 
Ashburnham and vicinity, 

The Commander-in-Chief grants the prayer thereof and directs 
that orders be issued for the choice of officers immediately ; the 
notification thereof be addressed to Alonzo t*. Davis of Ashburn- 
ham. 

The Commander-in-Chief further orders that when said Com- 
pany is organized it be known as Company G, Ninth Regiment of 



436 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Infantry. Upon the application of the Captain when duly quali- 
fied, and a certificate from the Selectmen of Ashburnham that they 
have provided a suitable armory, the arms and equipments will 
be furnished by the Adjutant-General. 

By command of His Excellency, 

HENRY J. GARDNER, 

Governor and Commander-in-Chief. 
Ebenezer W. Stone, 

Adjutant-General. 

The eonipany promptly organized with Joseph P. Rice, 
captain, and four lieutenants. This number of officers was 
continued until 1861. The number of men on the company 
roll at the close of the year was sixty-five, nearly all of 
whom enlisted immediately after the order and before the 
choice of officers. 

The petitioners met in the Town Hall July 26, 1855, and 
completed an organization. At this time the regulations 
prescribed four lieutenants for the company. The officers 
chosen at this time were commissioned under same date as 
follows : 

Captain, Joseph P. Eice ; First Lieutenant, Addi- 
son A. Walker ; Second Lieutenant, Jonas Morse ; 
Third Lieutenant, Alonzo P. Davis ; Fourth Lieutenant, 
George H. Barrett. Fifty-live men were included in the 
original enlistment and eleven were added immediately after 
the organization. With full ranks and ably commanded, the 
company attended the division muster at West Brookfield in 
September. At this date Colonel Edwin Upton of Fitch- 
burg was in command of the regiment. From 1855 to 1861, 
it was known as Company G of the Tenth Regiment, and 
until all companies of militia were depleted by individual 
enlistments in the service, the Ashburnham Light Infantry 
was in a prosperous condition and was maintained with full 



THE ASHBURNHAM LIGHT INFANTRY. 437 

ranks. The whole number of enlistments from the date of 
reorganization to April, 1861, was one hundred and forty- 
three. After this date many members of the company 
entered the service and a large number joined the company, 
but they were enlisted for service in the army, rather than as 
members of a local company of militia. During this period 
there were few changes in the officers. Late in Decemljer of 
the same ^^ear Jonas Morse resigned. Lieutenants Davis 
and Barrett were promoted and Silas Nims was connnissioned 
fourth lieutenant, February 28, 1857. At the promotion of 
Captain Rice Lieutenant Walker was commissioned captain, 
August 11, 1860. Lieutenants Davis and Barrett were 
promoted May 7, 1860. Lieutenant Nims resigned and 
Samuel A. Taylor was commissioned third lieutenant, and 
James W. Gardner, fourth lieutenant, June 15, 1860. On 
the occasion of the resignation of First Lieutenant Walker 
in March, the company was under command of Lieutenant 
Davis from June to August, 1860. Colonel Joseph P. Rice 
was promoted to colonel, June 19, 1860. On his staff Dr. 
Alfred Miller was surgeon and Marshall Wetherbee was 
quartermaster. 

At the close of the war the independent organization in 
this town was revived. Many of those who were members 
before the war desired the establishment of the old company 
and a greater number who had served in the war eagerly 
seized a favorable opportunity to continue in this manner the 
companionship and association of arms. Early in the year 
1866, the contemplated movement was earnestly forwarded 
and in response to a petition numerously signed the decisive 
order was issued August 11, 1866. 

Special Order, No. 99. 

Asahel Wheeler and fifty-nine others of Ashburnham, having 
forwarded to the Adjutant-General a roll of enlistment for the 



438 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

VoluDteer Militia of the Commonwealth, agreeably- to the laws of 
this Commonwealth governing and regulating the militia, 

It is ordered that a company be organized of the men thus en- 
listed and that a captain and one first lieutenant and one second 
lieutenant be immediately chosen. The order to assemble the 
men for the election will be directed to Asahel Wheeler of Ash- 
burnham who will furnish the presiding officer with an attested 
copy of the enlistment roll previous to the meeting. 

The chairman of the board of Selectmen of Ashburnham will 
preside at the election. The company when organized will be 
designated and known as Company E, First Battalion Infantry, 
M. V. M. 

By order of the Commander-in-Chief. 

WILLIAM SCHOULER, 

Adjutant-General. 

The company was promptly organized and the commis- 
sions of the first officers bear date of September 3, 1866. 
Tlie past twenty years have been an era of prosperity. The 
organization owns the armory which was purchased 1883, and 
have camp property vahied at about three hundred dollars. 
The present number of men, including officers, is fifty-eight, 
and sustained by public sentiment the future of the compan}' 
is secure. 

Soon after the reorganization of the company in 1866, 
with unqualified unanimity of sentiment and in memory of 
the gallant Colonel Joseph P. Rice, the organization assumed 
the name of The Rice Guards. The official designation 
is Company E. From 1866 to 1869, the company composed 
a part of the first battalion, first brigade, and first division; 
from 1869 to 1878, the company was in the Tenth Regiment, 
third brigade ; and since the reorganization of the militia, 
December 3, 1878, the company has formed a part of the 
Sixth Regiment of infantry in the first brigade. The officers 



THE ASHBURNHAM LIGHT IXFANTRY. 



439 



of Company E, and the date of commission, from 1866 to 
the present time, are given as follows : 



CAPTAINS. 



Asahel Wheeler, 1866 

George E. Davis, 1868 

William H. Lindlev, 1871 

Walter O. Parker" 1872 

Josiah W. Bride, 1879 

Walter H. Laws, 1882 

Charles H. Pratt, 1885 



FIRST LIEUTENANTS. 



George E. Davis, 
Samuel C. Lesure, 
George E. Davis, 
William H. Lindley, 
Walter O. Parker, 
Eugene A. Puffer, 
C. Edgar Willard, 
Josiah W. Bride, 
Walter H. Laws, 
Charles H. Pratt, 
Alvah S. FuUford, 



1866 
1867 
1868 
1868 
1871 
1872 
1874 
1875 
1880 
1882 
1885 



SECOND LIEUTENANTS. 



Harrison C. Cheney, 1866 
Samuel C. Lesure, 1867 
James M. Garnet, 1867 
George E. Davis, 1868 
Leander W. Libby, 1868 
Harrison C. Cheney, 1869 
Michael FitzGibbon,1870 
John H. Stoddard, 1872 
C. Edgar Willard, 1874 
Daniel F. Ryan, 1874 
Lucius R. Hodgman,1876 
Cliarles H. Pratt, 1880 
Alvah S. Fullford, 1882 
Charles H. White, 1885 



Major Josiah W. Bride was commissioned major, Feb- 
ruary 7, 1882 ; resig-ned March 2':), 1884. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

WAR OF THE liEBELLIOX. 

PREPARED FOR WAR. MISSION OF THE ASHBURNHAM LIGHT INFANTRY. 

EARLY ENLISTMENTS. — SECOND REGIMENT. THE HOME COMPANY. 

THE UNIFORM. LIIJERALITY OF GEORGE C. WINCHESTER. STATE AID. 

TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT. ITS RECORD. NAMES OF MEN IN THIS 

SERVICE. COLONEL JOSEPH P. RICE. CAPTAIN WALKER AND THE 

SLAVERY PROBLEM. OTHER ENLISTMENTS IN 1861. RECORD OF 1862. 

FIFTY-THIRD REGIMENT. RESOLUTIONS. RECORD OF 1863. THE 

DRAFT. ENLISTMENTS. THE SECOND DRAFT. CONCLUSION. 

Massachusetts, for many years preceding the War of the 
Rebellion, had occupied an advanced position among the 
Northern States in the maintenance of an organized and dis- 
ciplined militia. At the first call for men to suppress the 
Rebellion, no State responded with less delay. The regi- 
ments from this State were not only early in the field, but 
they entered the service in a better state of discipline than 
was a majority of the army hastily gathered at Washington. 
In these measures of military preparation the town of Ash- 
burnham maintained a foremost rank, and during the early 
progress of the war the influence and the mission of the 
Ashburnham Light Infantry was clearly revealed. The 
military spirit fostered by the organization, joined by a 
stronger force in the patriotic impulse of the people, was 
represented by over eighty men from this town in the army 
during the first eight months of the war. To present the 
names of the volunteers from this town, with the date of 

440 



WAR OF THE REBELLION. 441 

enlistment, the regiment and duration of service and a record 
of casualties and disability, will be the province of this chap- 
ter. A ftiithful account of the service of each soldier would 
fill a volume. 

In the spring of 18G1, the Ashburnham Light Infantry, 
under the command of Captain Addison A. Walker, was in 
a good state of discipline and promptly tendered service to 
the governor as an organization. The disciplined companies 
were held in reserve by the State authorities to be dis- 
tributed amono- the reo;iments that Avere soon to be recruited. 
For this reason the company from this town was not called 
into the service until the Twenty-first Regiment w^as organized. 
This delay, complimentary in itself to the company, was the 
prolific source of embarrassment, and several men impatient 
of delay enlisted in other organizations. 

Joseph H. Whitney, George P. Nutting and Martin V. B. 
Grimes enlisted May 22, 1861, in Company A, Fourth 
Regiment, and were discharged at expiration of term of 
service in July of the same year. 

The Second Regiment was mustered, for three years. 
May 25, 18(31, and by reenlistment was continued in the 
service until July 14, 1865. In this regiment, which 
rendered gallant service in Virginia, participating in the 
historic battles of that State, and later formed a part of 
General Sherman's army in the grand march to the sea, 
Ashburnham was represented by six men : Charles H. Heald 
was promoted to second lieutenant, July 3, 1865 ; Sergeant 
Allen A. Nutting was killed June 9, 1863, at Beverly Ford, 
Virginia ; Harvey A, Cheney was discharged September 13, 
1861 ; Benjamin F. Fay was killed at Cedar Mountain, 
Virginia, August 9, 1862 ; Charles W. Kendall was trans- 
ferred August 6, 1863, to the Veteran Reserve Corps, and 
Augustus INIcIntosh was discharo-ed with the reo^iment after 
four years of service in July, 18(55. 



442 HISTORY OF ASFIBURNHAM. 

In the Fifteenth Regiment there were two orio-inal enlist- 
ments from this town. They were mustered July 12, 1861. 
Their record is as follows : John K. Walker was killed at 
Ball's Bluff, Virginia, October 21, 1861, and Robert J. 
Elliot was transferred to the regular army, September 24, 
1862. 

In the Sixteenth Regiment was Patrick McCoolif who 
enlisted July 2, 1861, and completed three years of service. 

In the Twentieth Regiment was Francis Sacket who was 
discharged on account of disability, a month after his enlist- 
ment. 

John Finan enlisted in First Regiment of Cavalry in 
September, and was discharged on account of wounds in 
February, 1863. 

During the early months of the war, and while the soldiers 
already named were enlisting into the service, the thought 
of the people and the action of the town related more par- 
ticularly to the home company which was momentarily 
expecting a summons to march. In a town meeting held at 
this time it was voted to raise the sum of eight hundred 
dollars to procure a uniform for the company, and a short 
time after an additional sum of six hundred dollars was 
appropriated for this purpose. The material was purchased, 
a tailor was employed and a hundred women of Ashburnham 
promptly volunteered to assist in making the military suits. 
This action of the town, prompted by a generous impulse, 
was of little benefit to the company. When the men were 
called into service they were required to uniform in accord- 
ance with the regulations of the armj''. 

The generosity of the town was unappeased with this act 
for the comfort and appearance of the soldier. The enthu- 
siastic liberality of George C. Winchester furnished each 
member of the company with a knife of oflensive and 



WAR OF THE REBELLION. 443 

defensive proportions and several of them are still preserved 
amono- the treasured relics of the war. There was con-" 
siderable talk of procuring a revolver for each man of the 
company, and indeed, suggested by emphatic votes passed 
at an informal meeting of the citizens, a large number was 
purchased before it became apparent that a military company 
could not enter the field of active service in the capacity of 
a movable arsenal. One revolver was finally presented to 
each officer and the remainder was sold. In this proceed- 
ing the town in its corporate capacity took no part except to 
express an emphatic dissent ; but with greater wisdom and a 
more attentive regard for the future necessities of all con- 
cerned, the selectmen were instructed to provide for the 
needy families of the men in the service. During the con- 
tinued progress of the war, this proposal was faithfully 
executed and large sums of money from the treasury of the 
town and of the State were expended in the relief of the 
families of the soldiers. 

The Twenty-first Regiment was recruited in July and 
August, 1861. Company G of this regiment, composed 
largely of men from this town, entered Camp Lincoln in 
Worcester, July 19, and with the regiment left for the seat 
of war August 23. The record of this gallant regiment is a 
prominent feature of the rei)orts of the Adjutant-General and 
its history has been published in an interesting and authentic 
narrative by Captain Charles F. Walcott. The regiment 
was assigned to the Burnside expedition to North Carolina 
and there participated in the battles of Roanoke, Newbern 
and Camden. In the summer and autumn of 1862 they 
participated in the campaign in Virginia and there inscribed 
on their colors the sanguinary lines of Manassas, Chantilly, 
South Mountain, Antietam and Fredericksburg. The 
casualties in these eniraffements will bo noted with the 



444 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

several individual records. In the spring of 1863 the regi- 
ment rendered efficient service in Tennessee and in this 
campaign the battles of Blue Springs and Campbell's Station 
and the siege of Knoxville were inscribed on their banners. 

About the time General Grant assumed command of the 
armies of the United States, the regiment joined the army of 
Virginia and shared the arduous service and honors of that 
decisive campaign. In August, 1864, at the expiration of 
the term of service, those who had not reenlisted were 
honorably discharged and the veterans who had engaged to 
serve during the war were transferred to the Thirty-sixth 
and subsequently to the Fifty-sixth Regiment. They re- 
mained with the army in Virginia and shared the glory of 
the capitulation of the rebel army. 

The following list contains the names of the men from 
Ashburnham who served in the Twenty-first Regiment. 
Nearly all of them were members of the Ashburnham Light 
Infantry, were mustered into the service in July, 1861, and 
were members of Company G. 

Captain Addison A. Walker, the senior captain of the 
regiment, was the commander of the Light Infantry at the 
beginning of the war. To the governor he promptly tendered 
the service of a disciplined and efficient company. In Janu- 
ary, 1862, the regiment sailed for North Carolina. Captain 
Walker, on account of sickness, was left at Annapolis. Sub- 
sequently he was detailed on recruiting service for several 
months. He then joined the regiment at Newbern, North 
Carolina, but being detailed on special service he could not 
be assigned to the command of his company. At this time 
General Burnside tendered him a position on his staff", but 
impatient at the restraints and embarrassments of the situa- 
tion he resigned May 13, 1862. From the first he enjoyed 
the respect of his men and the confidence of his superior 
officers. 



WAR OF THE REBELLION. 445 

First Lieutenant Alonzo P. Davis was a veteran in the 
Light Infantry, of whicli lie had been an officer several years. 
He resigned in January, 1862. 

Second Lieutenant Samuel A. Taylor was promoted first 
lieutenant, January 24, 1862 ; captain, May 28, 1862 ; 
resigned, January 13, 1863. He was subsequently a second 
lieutenant in the Fourth Heavy Artillery. 

Sergeant Asahel Wheeler was promoted second lieutenant, 
January 24, 1862 : first lieutenant, May 28, 1862 ; captain, 
January 14, 1863 ; resigned, April 25, 1863. He was sub- 
sequently a captain in the Sixty-first Regiment. 

Sergeant Charles H. Parker promoted first lieutenant. 
May -IH, 1862; resigned, March 2, 1863. Wounded 
severely while in command of the company at the battle of 
Antietam, September 17, 1862. 

Corporal George E. Davis was an adjutant and sergeant- 
major ; promoted first lieutenant, April 26, 1863; he reen- 
listed and was honorably discharged, August 30, 1864, at 
the reduction of the regiment. 

Sergeant Joseph H. Whitney promoted to sergeant-major, 
July 21, 1862, and second lieutenant, October 30, 1862; 
resigned, February 23, 1863. 

Sergeant Samuel C. Lesure reenlisted, and in a reorgani- 
zation of the regiment was discharged as a supernumerary, 
September 24, 1864. 

Sergeant M. Thomas Russell was discharged on account 
of disability, May 8, 1862. 

Corporal Lorenzo H. Gilbert promoted first sergeant, 
January 2, 1864 ; reenlisted and was honorably discharged, 
September 24, 1864. He was wounded in the service. 

Corporal Harrison C. Cheney promoted sergeant and 
acting sergeant-major and discharged at expiration of term 
of service, Aua'ust 30, 1864. 



446 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Corporal Charles G. Lawrence reenlisted ; was wounded 
at Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864. 

Corporal Charles Henry Puffer reenlisted ; was promoted 
to sergeant and killed at S[)ottsylvania, May 12, 1864. 

Corporal Henry H. Martindale reenlisted. 

George F. Puffer promoted corporal and sergeant ; reen- 
listed and was honorably discharged, September 24, 1864. 

Jonas W. Dwinnell promoted to corporal and discharged 
on account of wounds, January '22, 1863. He was wounded 
and suffered the loss of an arm at the battle of Fredericks- 
burg. 

Erastus Mcintosh promoted corporal ; reenlisted. 

Alfred Piper promoted corporal ; discharged on account 
of disability, October 16, 1862. 

Frank J. Litch, wagoner, discharged at expiration of term 
of service, August 30, 1864. 

Peter Archambeau discharged on account of disability. 
May 25, 1863. 

Joseph B. Brown discharged on account of wounds, May 
7, 1863. 

Merrill Farwell discharged on account of disability, 
August 4, 1862. 

James M. Garnet was transferred to Company H, Octo- 
ber 20, 1861 ; promoted to sergeant ; reenlisted and honor- 
ably discharged, September 24, 1864. 

George G. Hadley was wounded at Camden, North Caro- 
lina, and discharged on account of wounds, December 4, 
1862. 

James P. Hare was wounded at Chantilly ; discharged on 
account of wounds, January 16, 1863. 

George W. Lawrence reenlisted. 

Washburn Lewis discharged on account of disability, 
March 18, 1864. 



WAR OF THE REBELLION. 447 

James Mclntire died at Newbern, North Carolina, April 
21, 1862. 

Ezra M. Merritt discharged on account of disability, 
August 9, 1862. 

George E. Page killed at Fredericksburg, December 13, 
1862. 

Calvin Pindar reenlisted. 

William Pratt Avounded at Antietam and discharged on 
account of wounds, November 25, 1862. 

Eugene A. Pufi'er wounded at Antietam ; discharged on 
account of wounds, March 27, 1863. 

Robert N. Shaw discharged on account of disability, 
November 29, 1862. 

Ransom G. Stowell discharged on account of disability. 
May 8, 1862. He subsequently served in the Fifty-third 
Regiment. 

George M. Wetherbee discharged at expiration of term 
of service, August 30, 1864. 

James E. Whipple reenlisted. 

Charles H. White, musician, reenlisted. 

Frank B. Whitmore discharged at expiration of term of 
service, August 30, 1864. 

Merrick Whitney, Jr., discharged on account of disability, 
January 26, 1863. 

George W. Wilson discharged on account of disability, 
September 20, 1862. 

Waldo Dwinnell enlisted January 5, 1864, and was 
assigned to this company ; he was taken prisoner at the 
battle of the Wilderness, May 6, 1864, and died in Ander- 
sonville Prison in September. 

Frank G. Kibling enlisted January 4, 1864, and died in 
hospital at Camp Nelson, Kentucky, February 22, 1864. 

Sylvester F. Oliver enlisted January 5, 1864, and was 



448 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

transferred to Thirty-sixth Eegiment. He died January 29, 
1865. 

Henry E. Thomas enlisted December 31, 1863, and was 
killed in battle of Cold Harbor, June 2, 1864. 

Hosea Wallace enlisted July 23, 1862, and was discharged 
with the regiment, August 30, 1864. 

Lemuel Whitney enlisted in Company A of the same regi- 
ment, August 14, 1862, and was discharged with the regi- 
ment, August 30, 1864. 

James H. Willard was an original member of company H, 
and was discharged, August 30, 1864. 

Fernando C. L. W. Thayer enlisted in Januar}^ 1864, 
and was assigned to Company A. He was transferred with 
the veterans to the Thirty-sixth llegiment. 

While the regiment was in Tennessee in December, 1863, 
a large part of the men reenlisted for the war. The vet- 
erans were granted a furlough of thirty days and were per- 
mitted to visit their homes. When the regiment was dis- 
missed at the expiration of term of service, the veterans were 
transferred to the Thirty-sixth Regiment. In this connection 
their continued service is stated. They remained with the 
army in Virginia until the regiment was disbanded at the 
expiration of term of service. They were then transferred to 
the Fifty-sixth Regiment and were honorably discharged with 
that regiment, July 12, 1865. The service was long and 
the record honorable. The veterans who counted twice on 
the quota of Ashburnham were, George E. Davis, Samuel 
C. Lesure, Lorenzo H. Gilbert, Charles Henry Puffer, 
George F. Puffer, Charles G. Lawrence, Erastus Mcintosh, 
Charles H. White, George W. Lawrence, Henry H. Martin- 
dale, James M. Garnet and James E. Whipple. 

Calvin Pindar enlisted on the quota of Ashburnham and 
reenlisted on quota of Clinton. Lyman F. Thurston of 



WAR OF THE REBELLION. 449 

Holden, Luther E. Stewart of Clinton, Henry C. Perkins 
of Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire, Frank Lumevzette of 
Hoklen and Timothy Donovan of Worcester, on reenlist- 
ment, were assigned on the quota of Ashburnham. The 
veterans who were credited to the quota of this town antici- 
pated a bounty which they did not receive. 

After the transfer to the Thirty-sixth Regiment in 1864 
there were several casualties which have not been stated. 
Sylvester F. Oliver died January 29, 1865 ; Waldo Dwin- 
nell was taken prisoner at the battle of the Wilderness, May 
6, 1864, and died within the rebel lines in September fol- 
lowing ; Frank Lumerzette died of wounds, August 12, 
1864; Henry C. Perkins was transferred February 11, 1865, 
to the Veteran Reserve Corps, and James E. Whipple was 
discharged on account of disability, January 19, 1865. 

In the Twenty-first Regiment, associated with and one of 
the men of Ashburnham, was Colonel Joseph P. Rice. He 
early manifested a military spirit and ability to command. 
He had been an able and popular commander of the Ash- 
burnham Light Infantry, and at the outbreak of the war he 
was colonel of the Ninth Regiment of militia to which the 
Light Infantry belonged. In this service he had enjoyed 
the respect and confidence of his associates. In the begin- 
ning of the war he early tendered the service of his command 
to the governor and was greatly disappointed that his regi- 
ment was not accepted. Ready to enter the service in any 
capacity he was commissioned a captain in the Twenty-first 
Regiment and assigned to the command of Company H. In 
February following he was promoted to major and to lieu- 
tenant-colonel, May 16. He was a soldier in the best use 
of the term, and to bravery and courage he united manliness 
of character and genuine kindness of heart. At the battle 
of Chantilly, September 1, 1862, while advancing beyond 

29 



450 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

his command, to determine whether a force in Iiis front were 
friends or enemies, he was shot through the body by a 
musket-ball and died instantly. The intelligence of his 
death Avas received with sudden grief and unfeigned expres- 
sions of personal sorrow. At a meeting of the town, 
November 4, 1862, the following resolutions were unani- 
mously adopted : 

Resolved^ That as citizens of Ashbiirnham we desire to express 
our deep sense of the loss we have sustained in the recent death 
of Lieutenaut-Colouel Joseph P. Rice at the battle of Chantilly, 
and our appreciation of the lasting obligations under which we 
rest for the great service he has rendered us and his countiy in 
the time of need, and to show, as far as in us lies, a becoming 
respect for his memory. 

Resolved, That in the death of Colonel Rice we mourn the loss 
of one who has been to us a friend and a townsman faithful to 
every delegated trust, discharging all the duties imposed upon him 
with a generous disregard of self and in such a manner as to 
entitle him to our warmest admiration and respect. 

The best and wisest laws that have governed and fostered 
civilization often have been the crystallization of some rule 
of action which the people practised by choice a long time 
before they were required to yield a willing obedience to 
statute. In the same manner an humble and subordinate 
officer in the discharge of duty in a limited field has often 
employed methods of procedure which subsequently have 
been grasped and dignified with the authority of a policy in 
the conduct of national affairs. The officers of the army, who 
were the first to come into immediate contact with the institu- 
tion of slavery and the attending embarrassments, originated 
and early put in practice the liberal policy which was finally 
adopted by the Government. 



WAR OF THE REBELLION. 45I 

In the autumn of 18(31, while the Twenty-first Regiment 
was in Maryland, in accordance with a practice then prevail- 
ing and encouraged in the army, the officers were expected 
to return to the owner any slave who might be found in their 
vicinity. Captain Walker, faithfully representing the senti- 
ment of the men from Ashburnham under his command, was 
the first officer who refused to perform this service. On an 
occasion when Captain Walker was officer of the day, the 
dignified personage of Governor Hicks applied to him for 
the recovery of a slave then within the lines of the regiment. 
The governor was met with a decided refusal, from which he 
appealed with effect to the colonel of the regiment. The 
colonel ordered Captain Walker to find and deliver the 
fugitive to the expectant owner. To this Captain Walker 
replied that he did not enter the service for an opportunity 
of hunting slaves and politely requested his superior officer 
to detail some other captain to perform this servile duty. 
Then every captain in the regiment was in turn detailed for 
this work and every one followed the example of Captain 
Walker. The negro finally escaped. Had the fortunes of 
this slave been less fortuitous, the events of the day were 
the harbinger of the freedom of his race. 

The large number already named, who entered the service 
in 1861, did not exhaust the patriotic impulse of the town. 
Immediately after the departure of Company G, Twenty- 
first Regiment, twenty men enlisted in Company F, Twenty- 
fifth Regiment. They were mustered into the service at 
Worcester in September and left for the seat of war, 
October 31, 1861. This organization has an excellent 
record. It was a part of the Burnside expedition and was 
retained in North Carolina until the decisive campaign in 
Virginia. It then participated in the battle of Cold Harbor 
and other engagements near Richmond. In October, 1864, 



452 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

the reenlisted veterans and the later recruits formed a bat- 
talion of four companies and remained in the service until 
July 13, 1865. Three recruits, credited on the quota of 
Ashburnham, subsequently were assigned to this regiment 
and will be named in later paragraphs. 

Frank A. Davis, Michael FitzGibbon, Francis H. Morton 
and Carlos P. Ward were veterans in this regiment. Davis 
and FitzGibbon were discharged at the close of the war in 
July, 1865. ]Morton was transferred to the Veteran Keserve 
Corps, and Ward, whose original enlistment was not credited 
to the quota of this town, died at Newbern, Xorth Carolina, 
November 14, 1864. 

Corporal Augustus S. Rockwood, Corporal John A. 
Spaulding, Octavius W. Brown, Harvey Clark, Lincoln 
Wallace and Martin Burgess were discharged at expiration 
of term of service in October, 1864. Burgess was a member 
of Company I, and Rockwood was wounded. 

Stephen C. Hastings, musician, was honorably discharged 
August 30, 1862, at the reduction of the band, and Francis 
J. Barrett was killed at Cold Harbor, Virginia, June 3, 
1864. 

The remainino- eioht were discharo-ed on account of dis- 
ability as follows: Sergeant Oliver D. Wilder, March 12, 
1863; James L. Walker, April 6, 1863; Luther Clark, 
March 12, 1863 ; Parley Mclntire, :\ray 20, 1863 ; Orin 
Morton, January 31, 1863 ; Charles E. Smith, May 26, 
1862: Joshua T. Stowell, August 7, 1862, and Michael 
Thompson, April 27, 1863. 

In this regiment and in Company I, was Henry K. Samp- 
son who was originally credited on the quota of Royalston. 
He reenlisted on the quota of this town in January, 1864, 
and was discharged in Julv, 1865. 



WAK OF THE REBELLION. 453 

The remaining enlistments, during the year 1861, included 
Samuel D. Holt who enlisted on the quota of Readville in 
the Twenty-fourth Regiment, December 4, 1861, and 
reenlisted on the quota of Ashbumham and was promoted 
corporal in January, 1864 ; he continued in the service 
until January, 1866 ; Bartholomew Coughlin, who enlisted 
December 6, in the Twenty-ninth Regiment and died 1862 ; 
Pascal Brooks enlisted Xovember 1, in Thirty-second Regi- 
ment and died October 1, 1862, at Sharpsburg, Maryland; 
Francis S. Willard enlisted Xovember 1, in Thirty-second 
Regiment and died in Virginia, February 5, 1863 ; Leroy 
A. Howe enlisted Xovember 6, in Thirtj^-second Regiment 
and was discharged on account of disability, Xovember 29, 
1862 ; Charles F. Leathers, a veteran, enlisted X'^ovember 4, 
in Thirty-second Regiment, promoted to corporal, reenlisted 
January 5, 1864, and was dismissed with his regiment, June 
29, 1865; Marcus L. Ward enlisted October 30, 1861, in 
Thirty-second Regiment and was discharged on account of 
disability, February 26, 1863 ; John Hare enlisted Xovem- 
ber 7, 1861, Thirtieth Regiment, died at Ship Island, 
Mississippi, March 8. 1862 : George G. Farwell enlisted 
X^ovember 2, 1861, on the quota of Fitchburg, in Thirty- 
second Regiment : he reenlisted January 4, 1864, on quota 
of this town and was killed June 18, 1864. 

In 1862 there was a call for three hundred thousand men. 
The quota of Ashbumham was twenty-seven. In the 
Thirtv-fourth Resfimeut, which left the State August 15, 
there were live men from this town. They enlisted in July. 
Sergeant Charles Wood was promoted to second lieutenant, 
May 15, 1865, and discharged with his regiment; Walter 
O. Parker, musician, was discharged with his regiment, June 
16. 1865 : Sumner AV. Black died at Hai-per's FeiTy, 
Yirofinia, Xovember 10, 1863 ; Alfred Castle was discharged 



454 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

on account of disability, February 11, 1865, and Martin V. 
B. Grimes was discharged on account of wounds, February 
16, 1865. 

The Thirty-sixth Regiment was recruited in July and 
August and left the State September 2. This organization 
contained, at this time, twenty-three men from this town. 
It will be noted that a few of them were temporary residents 
at the date of enlistment. 

Of the twenty-three in this service, nine were honorably 
discharged with their regiment, June 8, 1865, as follows: 
Sergeant Charles W. Whitney promoted to second lieu- 
tenant, November 13, 1864, Sergeant George N. Duncan, 
Sergeant Charles I. Fish, Chester B. Gale, Francis H. 
Perkins, Frank S. Learned, John C. Lawrence, Cyrus W. 
Nickerson and Joseph Oaks. 

On account of disability the following six were discharged : 
Thomas H. Eyan, March 11, 1863; Sergeant Waldo A. 
Foster, May 30, 1863; Corporal John B. Harty, date 
unknown; John L. Finney, January 13, 1865; Mitchell 
Larby, no record; Edward Sibley, April 12, 1865. 

The individual record of the remaining men is as follows : 
Sergeant Joseph Hames died of wounds, June 4, 1864 : 
Corporal Frederick Biron died of wounds at Knoxville, 
Kentucky, January 11, 1864; Corporal Max Hoflman was 
killed at Petersburg, Virginia, June 17, 1864;' Otis Metcalf 
and Edward B. Merriam were transferred to the Veteran 
Reserve Corps ; Dennis Murphy reanlisted and was trans- 
ferred on the quota of Hardwick to the regular army ; 
Charles W. Allard was left in the hospital at Worcester and 
there died, September 15, a few days after the regiment 
left the State. The record of the remaining man from Ash- 
burnham is exceptional. Charles Sherbert deserted April 
27, 1863. 



WAR OF THE REBELLION. 455 

The Thirty-sixth Regiment was an organization of good 
repute. In the army in Virginia, in Mississippi and the 
siege of Vicksburg and later in Virginia, in the closing yet 
sanguinary service of the war, it has left an honorable and 
gallant record. 

In the autumn of this year the Fifty-third Regiment was 
recruited under the call of the President for men to serve 
nine months. In this organization Ashburnham was repre- 
sented by twentj'-seven officers and men. Of this regiment, 
George H. Barrett, who had been an officer of the Light 
Infantry, was lieutenant-colonel. The regiment was ordered 
to the South and rendered efficient service in Louisiana 
under General Banks. The organization was mustered out 
September 3, 1863. 

In this service four died of disease, one was killed in 
action and two were discharged on account of disability. 
Henry A. Marble died at New Orleans, May 19 ; Rinaldo 
Shattuck died May 8, at Brashear ; Stephen C. Whitney 
died February 20, at New Orleans ; James M. AVoodell died 
June 7, at New Orleans; Russell Whipple was killed at 
Port Hudson, June 14 ; Corporal Orange E. Howe was dis- 
charged February 25 and William M. Young was discharged 
March 12, 18(i3. The remaining twenty-one completed the 
term of enlistment and were returned to their homes in 
September, 1863 : Lieutenant-Colonel George H. Barrett, 
Sergeant William D. Capron, Corporal Spencer Frost, Cor- 
poral William Wallace, Corporal Ransom G. Stowell, 
Francis S. l>alcom, Marshall H. Bourne, Aaron G. Buttrick, 
David M. Gushing, Edwin J. Gushing, Lewis Ghizier, 
Thomas M. Howard, Charles B. Jones, James F. Lincoln, 
Horace O. Mansfield, Augustine May, Francis H. Merriam, 
Francis A. Munroe, Hobart W. Piper, Harvey J. Rice, 
Frederick R. Whipple. 



456 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Colonel Bjirrett was commissioned captain of Company I, 
and promoted to lieutenant-colonel, November 10. He was 
in command of the regiment at its departure from the State 
and remained in the service until the regiment was dis- 
charged. 

These numerous enlistments filled the quota of 18(>2. At 
this time the town met and passed the following resolution : 

Mesolved, That we recognize the devotion and disinterested 
services of all our fellow-townsmen who have gone out from among 
us to engage in the service of the country, and that the town clerk 
be requested to collect and enter upon the town records the names 
of all our townsmen who have been or may hereafter be killed or 
otherwise lose their lives in the service of their country in putting 
down the present unholy rebellion. 

The generous impulse of the several towns which tendered 
temporary relief to the families of the soldiers w^as sustained 
and continued by the State and through the war the generous 
measures adopted by the Commonwealth were faithfully 
executed by the towns. The continued action of the citizens 
and of the town officers of Ashburnham was in full accord 
with a generous and comprehensive system of benevolence. 

The enlistments of 1861 and 1862 called a large propor- 
tion of the men of suitable age into the service. The quota 
of 1863 was filled with less alacrity and a draft was ordered. 
This peremptory demand for troops was general throughout 
the North, and Ashburnham shared with other towns a new 
experience of the war. Sixty-four men from this town were 
drafted. Of these a considerable number were discharged 
on account of disability and of those held for service, several 
furnished substitutes or paid commutation. The names of 
those who entered the service in response to this imperative 
command will appear in the subse(|uent paragraphs in the 



WAR OF THE REBELLION. 



457 



list of those who entered the service. The names of the 
drafted men are as follows ; 



John D. Hapgood 
Charles F. Rockwood 
George A. Stone 
Austin Brooks 
Granville B. Gilchrist 
Samuel E. Stone 
Albert F. Johnson 
Willard P. Drury 
William Dahymple 
Hiland Hall 
Orrin N. Bennett 
William Briggs 
Alexander Morse 
William W. Lane 
George L. Beals, Jr. 
Asahel Wheeler 
Earl Richel 
Merrick Hadley 
Nazzar Dane 
Charles W. Lane 
Stephen Sawin 
Edwin J. Russell 
Henry Pelky 
Jonas P. Sawin 
William Franklin 
Thomas Doolan 
William L. G. Ward 
Alexander Grout 
Jesse W. Goodwin 
Hosea S. Whitne}' 
Charles H. Wallace 
Rodney King 



Franklin S. Oliver 
Osmore A. Brigham 
Timothy O'Keif 
Walter Lawrence 
Irving Brooks 
Jona. E. Goodwin 
David S. Brown 
Wendell P. Clark 
Frederick Wilder 
Benton Adams 
Robert N. Shaw 
Ed. W. Weston 
George F. Potter 
Joseph L. Brigham 
George G. Hadley 
-Charles C. Eaton 
Orange S. May 
Martin B. Lane 
Patrick Mulchy 
John M. Baldwin 
Augustus G. Nutting 
Edward G. Newell 
Heury W. Ward 
Charles S. Keyes 
Fred M, Stanley 
Edwin A. Whitney 
Osman Casvant 
William C. Marea 
Mark Dunlap 
Theodore Barron 
Peter Sherbert 
Cyrus D. Hortou 



458 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

The immediate effect of the draft was depressing. The 
gloomy days of the war and the season of discontent were 
during the spring and early summer of 1863. The 
spontaneous enthusiasm among the masses which attended 
the early progress of the war, reflecting the warm colors of 
hope and courage, began to wane and a general sentiment of 
depression was instant and pervading. Presently the victory 
xit Gettysburg and the success of the army in the West in- 
vited the people to rally for the closing struggle. The firm 
command of General Grant and a unity of movement and 
purpose, which controlled the separate armies, restored the 
confidence and elicited an enthusiasm scarcely less exultant 
than that which thrilled the loyal North at the fall of Sumter. 
During these fluctuations in the general sentiment of the 
North, the people of Ashburnham, umnoved by the influences 
of the hour, maintained a record unstained by the shadow of 
disloyalty. 

The men who entered the service in 1863 were generally 
assigned to regiments already in the field and very few of 
them were in any one organization. In July Rodney King 
was assigned to the Nineteenth and transferred to the Twen- 
tieth Regiment ; John M. Baldwin was assigned to the Thirty- 
ninth and transferred to the Thirty-second Regiment ; John 
E. Valentine, a corporal, to the Fifteenth Regiment; and 
John Fitzgerald to the Nineteenth and transferred to the 
Twentieth Regiment. These men remained in the service to 
the close of the war and were honorably discharged. 

In July and August the quota of the town was credited 
with the names of Charles Lepond, John Shaffer, James 
Burke, Charles Wilson and Thomas Andrews. These were 
hired recruits and all of them deserted soon after, and to 
secure additional bounty, undoubtedly, they enlisted and 
deserted airain before the close of the war. 



AVAR OF THE REBELLION. 459 

George F. Potter enlisted July 14 and was assiii'ned to 
the Sixteenth Regiment. He was subsequently transferred 
to the Eleventh Regiment and was discharged in May, 1865. 
In the Second Regiment Heavy Artillery was Harvey P. 
Brooks and Edwin A. Pollard ; the former enlisted in July 
and served to the end of the war ; the latter enlisted in Octo- 
ber and died at Newbern, North Carolina, November 16, 

1864. Francis Sacket, who enlisted in November, was 
assigned to the Twenty-seventh Regiment and in January, 

1865, was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps. Pat- 
rick Doolan enlisted in December and served to the close 
of the war in the First Battery Light Artillery. John 
Cassidy enlisted in August in the Sixteenth and was trans- 
ferred to the Eleventh Re«:iment. He was discharged after 
a service of eighteen months on account of disal)ility. 
Archibald McMahon enlisted December 25 and deserted from 
the Twenty-fifth Regiment after a service of eight weeks, 
and Theodore A. Dodge enlisted in the A'eteran Reserve 
Corps in November. 

From January 1, 18()4, to April 1, 1865, eighty-three 
enlistments were credited to the (juota of Ashburnham. 
This number includes four entries into the Twenty-first 
Regiment, twenty-six recnlisted men and fifty-three new 
enlistments. A few of the men who entered the service 
during this period were hired recruits who received the 
bounty offered by the town without reluctance or conscien- 
tious scruple, and with equal alacrity deserted at the first 
opportunity. Others were residents of this town and all of 
these earned an honorable record. In the following list will 
appear the names of several who had prcA'iously been honor- 
ably discharged from a former service. Unless otherwise 
stated all of the following Avere honorably discharged on 
account of exi)iration of term of service or at the close of the 
war. 



460 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



William 8. White 
John Fregean 
Louis C. E. Coderre 
Morris Smeddy 



Dennis O'Neill 

Josiah Thomas 
Job Foster 
William Doolan 
James Kelley 
Frank B. Sawtelle 



Henry T. Lane 
Charles T. Chamberlain 

Charles L. Starkey 

Albert H. Tuckerman 

Hobart W. Piper 



Frank W. Bemis 
Irving Brooks 
Harlem E. Ward 



Alexander O'Brien 
Samuel A. Taylor 



Asahel Wheeler 



Joseph H. Whitney 



Oliver D. AVilder 
Theodore Greenwood 
Ebenezer Hart 
Frederick Hammond 
James Fargo 
William H. Smith 
George O. Whitney 
Joseph Hanwart 
Etiene Lechuga 
Sereno Xewton 
Richard C. Chase 
David O. Williams 
Charles H. Whipple 
Walter C. Clark 

Harlem E. Ward 
Michael Horrigan 
George G. Hadley 
Isaac Call 
Michael MuUoy 



DATE OF 
ENLISTMENT. 



MILITARY 
ORGANIZATION 



Jan. 4, 1864 
Jan. 18, 1864 

Jan. 5, 1864 

Jan. 29, 1864 
May 13, 1864 

June 2, 1864 
June 14, 1864 

June 14, 1864 
July 20,1864 

July 20, 1864 

July 23, 1864 

Aug. 6, 1864 

Aug. 6, 1864 



Aug. 11, 1864 
Aug. 16, 1864 



Aug. 20, 1864 



Aug. 20, 1864 



Aug. 20, 1864 



Sept. 21,1864 



Feb. 
Feb. 
Feb. 
Feb. 
Feb. 



6, 1865 
21, 1865 

2, 1865 
23, 1865 

6, 1865 



Jan. 3, 1865 
Feb. 18, 1865 
June 28, 1864 
Aug. 29, 1864 
Aug. 27, 1864 



57th Regiment 
7th Regiment 

25th Regiment 

5th Cavalry 
19th Regiment 

2d H. A. 



2d H. A. 

60th Regiment 



5th Regiment 
Unattached 

Unattached 



29th Regiment 
4th H. A. 



4th H. A. 



4th H. A. 



4th H. A. 



30th Regiment 

2d Cavalry 

IstH. A. 
14th Artillery 
19th Regiment 

4th Cavalry 
19th Regiment 
V. R. C. 



Discharged July 30, 1865 
Died May 30, 1864 
Deserted April 1, 1804 
Transferred to 37th and to 
20th Regt.; discharged 
June 16, 1865 
Died in Rebel Prison Aug. 

6, 1864 
Discharged Oct. 1, 1865 
Discharged Mar. 25, 1865 
Discharged July 20, 1865 
Discharged June 30, 1865 
Discharged May 6, 1865. He 
had previously been in 
Regimental Band 20th 
Regt. 
Died Oct. 29, 1864 
100 days service; dischar'di 

Nov. 30, 1864 
100 days service ; dischar'd 

Nov. 30, 1864 
100 days service ; dischar'd 

Xov. 16, 1864 
Promoted corporal ; dis- 
charged Nov. 14, 1864. He 
formerly served in 53d 
Regt. 
Discharged Nov. 14, 1864 



This name is repeated in 

a later service 

Discharged July 29, 1865 

Formerly a captain in 21st 
Regt. In this service he 
was a lieutenant ; resig'd 
March 8, 1865 

Formerly a captain in 21st 
Regt. He was commis- 
sioned a captain in this 
service and assigned to 
the 61st Regt. Mustered 
out at expiration of term 
of service 

This was his third enlist- 
ment. He was formerly 
a lieutenant in 21st Regt. 
Promoted in this service 
to sergeant-major, Dec. 1, 
1864 ; discharged June 17, 
1865 

Discharged June 17, 1865 



Discharged July 5, 1866 

Discharged May 18, 1865 
Discharged July 20, 1865 
Deserted Oct. 4, 1865 
Discharged June 15, 1865 
Discharged Feb. 20, 1865, on 

account of disability 
Discharged Aug. 12, 1865 
Discharged June 30, 1865 
Discharged Aug. 31, 18ti6 
Discharged Nov. 15, 1865 
Deserted Sept. 29, 1864 



WAR OF THE REBELLION. 



461 



NAMES. 


DATE OF 
ENLISTMENT. 


MILITARY 
ORGANIZATION 


REMARKS. 


James Walker 


Sept. 1, 1864 


V. R. C. 


Discharged Nov. 14, 


1864 


Newton B. Wliitman 


Sept. 2, 1864 


" 


No record 




William Pfaffle 


Feb. 20, 1865 


" 






Charles W. Kendall 


Dec. 20, 1864 


Hancock Corps 






Michael Murphy 


Jan. 18, 1865 


« 






John E. AValiant 


" 


" 






John Rebel 


Feb. 6, 1865 


N.C. Regiment 






William G. Davenport 


Sept. 14,1864 


U. S. A. 






George H. Litch 


Nov. 11, 1864 


*' 






Charles W. Krigham 


Mar. 2, 1865 


'< 






Francis E. Brighara 


Mar. 3, 1865 


" 






William Butler 


Feb. 4, 1865 


" 







In the midst of the later enlistments and accounting 
for a few of them the following persons were drafted May 
16, 18(U : Patrick O'Brien, Martin N. Ward, Thomas Ham- 
mond, Thomas Mahan, Amos F. Willard, Patrick J. Hare, 
Timothy A. Tenney, Merrick Hadley, George A. Stone, 
Job Foster, Orange S. Whitmore, Hezekiah Matthews, 
Joseph L. Brigham, Frederick Pelky, George G. Rockwood, 
Aaron Rice, William Doolan and Hartwell Tenney. No 
official statement of the several quotas of this town has been 
found and the records of the town atlbrd no information. 
The number of enlistments in 18G1 was eighty-five ; in 1862 
fifty-seven; in 1863 eighteen and in 1864 and the early 
months of 1865, including the veterans, there were eighty- 
three enlistments, making an aggregate of two hundred and 
forty-three entries in the service from this town during the 
war. The Avhole number of individuals who entered the 
service from Ashburnham, so far as found in this record, is 
two hundred and thirteen. Joseph H. Whitney is credited 
with three enlistments and the following persons were 
counted twice upon the quota of the town : Charles H. 
Heald, Martin V. B. Grimes, Charles W. Kendall, Francis 
Sacket, Augustus Mcintosh, Samuel A. Taylor, Asahel 
Wheeler, George E. Davis, Samuel C. Lesure, Lorenzo H. 
Gilbert, Charles G. Lawrence, George W. Lawrence, 



462 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Charles II. Putter, George F. Putter, Henry H. Murtindale^ 
Charles H. White, Erastus Mcintosh, James M. Garnet, 
George G. Hadley, Ransom G. Stowell, James E. Whipple, 
Frank A. Davis, Michael FitzGibbon, Francis H. Morton, 
Oliver D. Wilder, Charles F. Leathers, Ilobart W. Piper, 
Harlem E. W\ard. 

Several, who were residents of Ashburnham at the time 
they entered the service, enlisted on the quota and their 
names appear in the records of other towns. It is not pre- 
sumed that the following list is complete. 

Noyes B. Herrick, Clarence D. Proctor and Alden W. 
Parker, on the quota • of Fitchburg, served in the Fourth 
Regiment Heavy Artillery from August 20, 1864, to June 
17, 1865. 

Lieutenant George M. Munroe, on the quota of Boston^ 
was an original member of Company G, Twenty-first Regi- 
ment. He was promoted from first sergeant to second lieu- 
tenant, September 26, 1862, and to first lieutenant, March 
3, 1863. At the battle of Antietam, after Lieutenant 
Charles H. Parker was removed from the field on account of 
wounds, he assumed command of the company and was 
wounded in the knee and the arm. 

Charles L. Stimson was in Company E, Twenty-fourth 
Regiment, on the quota of Boston.- He was detailed as 
military secretary to General Burnside and subsequently was 
commissioned a lieutenant in the First Ohio Cavalry. 

George Henry Stearns, credited to Bridgewater, was a 
member of the Brigade Band, Twentieth Army Corps. 

William H. Richardson, Otis Pratt and Aaron Pratt 
served in Rhode Island regiments. 

Aaron B. Bixby enlisted from Fitchburg in Company A, 
Thirty-sixth Regiment, and was transferred in September^ 
1863, to the Veteran Reserve Corps. 



WAR OF THE REBELLION. 463 

Corporal Charles M. Whitney, assigned to quota of Fitch- 
burg, was a member of Company D, Twenty-first Regiment. 
He was killed September 1, 1862, at the battle of Chantilly. 

Ephraim W. Moore enlisted from Boston in Company F, 
Second Regiment. He died August 20, 18G2, from wounds 
received in the engagement of Cedar Mountain. 

Newton Brooks, on the quota of Gardner, was a member 
of Company G, Fifty-third Regiment. 

Patrick Fitzgerald, there known as James Fitz, was a 
member of Company K, Sixth New- Hampshire Regiment. 
He served from November, 1861, to July 17, 1865. 

Webster W. Wallace, on the quota of Lawrence, enlisted 
in First Regiment Heavy Artillery, August 1, 1861. He 
was promoted a sergeant and died of wounds, July 26, 
1864. 

In other regiments are found the names of Henry Merriam, 
George Willard, Charles Stone, John L. Cook, Reuben A. 
Buzzell, George O. Metcalf and George P. Ward. 

A large number of the sons of Ashburnham who removed 
from their native town previous to the war were in the 
service and several were officers of rank and distinction. So 
far as the facts are ascertained, a record of service will be 
given in the family registers. 



CHAPTER XX. 

PHYSICIANS. LA^VYERS. PERSONAL NOTICES. COLLEGE 

GRADUATES. — OTHER SONS OF ASHBURNHAM. 

DOCTORS BROOKS, SENTER, ABRAHAM LOWE, ABRAHAM T. LOWE, NATHANIEL 
PEIRCE, ABERCROMBIE, CUTLER, STONE, MILLER, WALLACE, WHITMORE, 
MATTOON, TEMPLE, JILLSON, CHARLES L. PIERCE, STICKNEY, AMORT 

JEWETT, NATHANIEL JEWETT. LAAVYERS CUNNINGHAM, ADAMS, PARKER 

AND ANDREWS. SAMUEL WILDER. — JOSEPH JEWETT. IVERS JEWETT. 

JACOB WILLARD. SILAS WILLARD. JOHN ADAMS. ENOCH WHIT- 
MORE. — JEROME W. FOSTER. — OHIO WHITNEY. — ISAAC HILL. — THOMAS 
PARKMAN CUSHING. MILTON WHITNEY. A LIST OF COLLEGE GRADU- 
ATES. OTHER SONS OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Physicians. — Ashburnham has been fortunate in the 
character and ability of the resident physicians. The follow- 
ing list includes several men of superior skill and professional 
reputation. 

Dr. Peter Brooks was the first physician of Ashburn- 
ham, and during the greater part of his practice here he had 
no competitor. Dr. Senter was here a short time, but his 
practice was not of sufficient duration to disturb him in the 
full possession of the field which he held until the arrival of 
Dr. Lowe. Dr. Brooks lived on the old Winchendon road, 
between the common and the David Russell farm. About 
1792 he left town and nothing is known of his subsequent 
history. His family temained permanently and his descend- 
ants in this town have been numerous. Of the native ability 
and professional skill of Dr. Brooks little is known. From, 
the fact that he remained here twenty years it is reasonable 

464 



PERSONAL NOTICES. 465 

to presume that he enjoyed some measure of public confi- 
dence. 

Dk. Senter was here a short time immediatel}' preceding 
the Revolution. In 1774 he was chosen one of a committee 
to amend the Boston Covenant before it was signed, but his 
name does not appear again in the records. Tradition pre- 
serves his name and compliments him with good ability and 
a liberal education. His stay was brief and his connection 
with this town unimportant. 

Dr. Abraham Low^e, son of Jonathan and Sarah (Per- 
kins) Lowe, was born in Ipswich, February 11, 1755. The 
homestead of his father was in the parish of Chebacco, and 
is now a part of the town of Essex. In his infancy the 
family removed to Lunenburg. If Dr. Lowe did not pursue 
a liberal course of academical study at the schools he was a 
close and attentive reader and an accurate scholar. His 
professional studies were pursued under the tuition of Dr. 
Abraham Haskell, a justly famed physician of Lunenburg. 
At this time Dr. Lowe became acquainted with Dr. Peter 
Snow, w^ho was a fellow-student, and subsequently a dis- 
tinguished physician and esteemed citizen of Fitchburg. 
The acquaintance ripened into a mutual friendship which was 
sustained through life. In 1786, or the year preceding, Dr. 
Lowe removed to Ashburnham and here began the labor of 
a lono; and useful life. In an eminent deo;ree he was trusted 
as a physician and esteemed as a citizen. He was frequently 
chosen to positions of trust and in professional employment 
he had no rival for many years. Among his minor employ- 
ments Dr. Lowe was town clerk seven years, ti'anscribing 
the records in a clear hand and in well-chosen language. 
But for municipal service he found little leisure. His active 
years w^ere devoted to his profession and few physicians have 
practised with less criticism and greater success. Among 

30 



466 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

his fellow-men he was accorded a supremacy which is only 
surrendered to superior abilities and unchallenged character. 
The aged who remember him are familiar with the courtesy 
of his manner, the kindness of his heart and the impress of 
truth and wisdom which attended his speech. He died 
October 23, 1834. 

Dr. Abraham T. Lowe, a son of Dr. Abraham Lowe 
and Charlotte (Hale) Lowe, was born in this town, August 
15, 1796. The influences of his home invited study, and 
at an early age he attended the academy in New Ipswich, 
and at twenty years of age he was graduated a Doctor of 
Medicine at Dartmouth Medical College. At the solicita- 
tion of his father he commenced practice in this town where 
he was successfully employed nine years. His circuit ex- 
tended into Westminster and other adjoining towns. Of his 
professional labors at this time Dr. Lowe has said, "My 
duties called me, I believe, almost without exception, into 
every house and family in town. I knew the direction and 
condition of every road, bridle path and passable cross-cut 
way. I never, while in health, declined a professional visit. 
I rode on horseback, in a light- wheel carriage, or sleigh, to 
meet the requirements of the season or state of the travelled 
ways ; but there were times when travelling in either of 
these modes was impracticable ; then I took to my rackets, 
or Indian snow-shoes ; and I have frequently in this manner 
made visits, both in and out of town." 

In the midst of this arduous, professional employment 
Dr. Lowe took an active interest in the schools of this town 
and was a member of the committee of supervision. He 
was popular with all classes and is held in grateful remem- 
brance by the aged who were his associates. In 1825 or 
1826 he removed to Boston and engaged in the business of 
a wholesale and prescription druggist. In this business he 
was successful and retired with a competency in 1839. 



^. 




';-;S«-s?5aBK=*S¥ 



■? '■f'^irr - * 




PERSONAL NOTICES. 467 

Dr. Lowe has been a director in several monetary institu- 
tions and in this direction his service has been conspicuous. 
In 1859 he was chosen president of the Safety Fund Bank 
which subsequently became the First National Bank of 
Boston, and under his sagacious management this institution 
has maintained a prominent position among its energetic 
rivals. Dr. Lowe was an able advocate, and was promi- 
nently identified with the construction of the Boston and 
Lowell railroad. At that date many regarded the project as 
experimental, but the substantial results are a tribute to the 
foresight and judgment of Dr. Lowe and his associates. He 
was one of the early directors of the road from Worcester to 
Albany and for several years a director of the Boston and 
Worcester railroad and also the Fall River railroad. He 
early and clearly comprehended the importance of these 
gigantic enterprises and with energy and courage he labored 
for the future interests of his city and Commonwealth. 

In addition to efiicient service for the public schools of 
Boston, he has repeatedly served in the Board of Aldermen, 
and beginning in 1824, he has been a member of the Massa- 
chusetts Legislature several years. In this service he 
disclosed the rare traits of mind and of character which 
distinguish his successful career in business. 

In early life Dr. Lowe compiled the Columbian Orator, a 
school-book which was favorably received, and subsequently 
he published the Second Class Book, for younger pupils ; 
but he is better known as the author of several papers upon 
scientific and medical subjects. He is one of the original 
trustees of Cushing Academy and during the past ten years 
he has been president of the board. 

Dr. Lowe at the age of almost ninety years has earned a 
respite from active employment. Without ambition or 
ostentation he has conscientiously met every responsibility 



468 HISTOKY OF ASHBUKNHAM. 

aud faithfully directed every interest confided to his care. 
His industry, his integrity and his purity of character, which 
attended him through life, now crown his age with blessings 
and honor. 

Dr.. Nathaniel Peikce, a son of Oliver and Mary 
(Smith) Peirce, was born in Lunenburg, October 8, 1778. 
He pursued his preparatory studies at New Ipswich Academy 
and was a teacher in the public schools several years. He 
entered Harvard University, but on account of failing health 
did not graduate. Later he pursued a course of professional 
study and received his diploma at the Medical School, then 
in Weathersfield, Vermont, and in that town he practised a 
short time. Leaving Weathersfield he removed to his native 
town where he was engaged in the manufacture of wool or 
felt hats, at that time one of the home industries of New 
England. He removed to this town in 1825 and immediately 
entered upon the practice of his profession. From the first 
he secured and maintained the confidence of the people and 
for many years his practice was large and remunerative. In 
the mean time he purchased many acres of land and became 
a prosperous farmer, and as the infirmities of age invited 
him to less active pursuits he gradually retired from practice 
and gave his attention to the supervision of his farm. 

A tall, commanding man, his head towering above the 
multitude, he was dignified in manner and deliberate in the 
use of words. In method he was direct and aggi-essive, and 
if he was sometimes blunt in his speech he was generally 
just. His opinions were well matured and when required 
they were expressed without evasion or concealment. If he 
honestly differed with others in opinion and expressed his 
own views plainly, he tolerated no contention and conducted 
no quarrels. He was a kind neighbor, an honest man and a 
faithful citizen. He was frequently chosen by his townsmen 



I^P^ iSfc^_ 




,3tuart-,BoS^°^- 




^■^ /y, SzA 




PERSONAL NOTICES. 463 

to local office and was a member of the Legislature 1831 
and 1832. He died September 3, 1862. 

Dr. Otis Abeecrombie, a native of Deei-field and a grad- 
uate of the Yale Medical School, came to Ashburnham in 
1827. He was favorably received and was chosen a member 
of the school committee soon after his arrival. At this time 
the field was occupied by members of the profession who 
had become established in the confidence of the people. In 
1829 he removed to Fitchburg. After a successful practice 
of nine years, on account of failing health, he retired from 
business and removed to Lunenburg where he died January 
24, 1851, aged forty-nine years. 

Dr. William H. Cutler, son of Jonathan and Keziah 
(Hutchins) Cutler, was born in Plainfield, Connecticut, July 
2, 1787. After attending school at the academy in Plain- 
field he pursued his professional studies with Dr. Darius 
Hutchins of Abington, Connecticut. His first professional 
labors were in Winchendon where he practised about seven 
years. In 1820 he removed to New Salem and was there 
successfully employed until he removed to this town in 1829. 
In Winchendon he was a member of the school committee in 
1819 and in New Salem he was frequently chosen to positions 
of trust, among which he was for many years one of the 
trustees of the New Salem Academy. In this town Dr. 
Cutler rode a wide circuit many years and was justly re- 
garded as a conscientious, skilful physician. As a man, 
he was upright, sincere and honest, and was held in high 
esteem. As the infirmities of age grew upon him he retired 
from active practice and removed in 18(54 to Andover where 
he died July 16, 1867. 

Dr. William P. Stone, son of David and Lydia (Per- 
kins) Stone and a brother of Rev. Benjamin P. Stone, D. D., 
late of Concord, New Hampshire, was born in Reading, 



470 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Vermont, July 23, 1809. A few years after this date 
the family removed from Reading to Enosburg, Vermont. 
Dr. Stone graduated at Dartmouth Medical School in 1835 
and came to this town in 1837, where he was successfully 
employed eight years. From the first he was well received. 
Beneath a modest and unassuming manner, there was no 
failure in the discovery of an intelligent mind and a faithful 
and competent physician. He had many friends and no 
enemies. In the spring of 1845 he removed to Boston and 
previous to 1850 he removed to Danbury, New Hampshire, 
where he remained several years. In October, 1862, he 
was commissioned assistant surgeon of the Second New 
Hampshire Volunteers, and was promoted to surgeon of this 
regiment, July 6, 1864. He remained in the service until 
the regiment was mustered out, December 19, 1865. Soon 
after the war he removed from Danbury to Westminster, 
Vermont, where he continued the practice of his profession 
a few years. He died in Burke, New York, 1872. 

Dr. Alfred Miller, son of John and Betsey (Robinson) 
Miller, was born in Westminster, Vermont, March 15, 1815. 
He pursued his preparatory studies in the schools of West- 
minster and Bernardston and graduated at Middlebury 
College 1840. While reading for his profession he taught 
school several years and completed his study with Dr. 
Alfred Hitchcock and at the Medical School in Woodstock, 
Vermont, where he graduated in 1844. In the following- 
year he entered upon the practice of his profession in this 
town where he was successfully employed until he removed 
to Fitchburg in 1863. 

He was a skilful physician and was highly respected by 
all who knew him. Affiible and kind in his manner, atten- 
tive to the calls of his profession, he was a popular physician 
and a valued citizen. Dr. Miller was repeatedly elected a 



PERSONAL NOTICES. 471 

member of the school committee and to other positions of 
trust. In Fitchburg he was eminently successful. He con- 
tinued in active practice in that city until his death, Novem- 
ber 15, 1877, aged sixty-two years. He was a member of 
the Legislature 1866 and 1876. 

Dr. Mekkick Wallace, a son of Nahum Wallace of 
Oxford, was born April 12, 1808. In 1847 he completed a 
course of study at the Botanical Medical College then in 
Worcester, and to this school of medicine he closely adhered 
in his practice. His remedial methods were then compara- 
tively new and he early secured a liberal patronage. His 
practice extended into the adjoining towns and frequently he 
made long journeys in response to demands for his profes- 
sional attendance. Dr. Wallace was also a successful farmer 
and in this pursuit he manifested a constant interest. He 
died May -n, 1875. 

Dr. Lorenzo Locke Whitmore, a son of Colonel Enoch U Q^ 
and Clarissa (Willard) Whitmore, was born in this town, 
July 2, 1823. With the exception of Dr. Abraham T. 
Lowe, he is the only physician in this town who was born 
within the field of his professional labor. He pursued a 
liberal course of academical and professional study, gradu- 
ating at the Harvard Medical School in the class of 1852. 
After a brief practice in Warwick, he returned to this town 
and assumed the management of a large farm which for more 
than one hundred years has been the homestead of his 
ancestors. For several years he rode an extended circuit in 
this town and in Rindge, and fully maintained the confidence 
of his patrons. More recently he" has found full employ- 
ment in the management of his farm. 

Dr. John Orlando Mattoon (eclectic) was a native of 
Vershire, Vermont, born October 10, 1887. He was 
educated at the academy in Chelsea, Vermont, and the 



472 HISTOKY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

well-known institution in New London, New Hampshire. 
He read for his profession with Dr. George K. Bagley of 
Chelsea, Vermont, and graduated at a medical school in 
Cincinnati in 1858. The same year he located in this town 
and practised with a fair measure of success until his early 
death which occurred January 13, 1862. 

Dr. Theron Temple, son of John and Sally (Taylor) 
Temple, was born in Heath, April 20, 1833. He is a gradu- 
ate of Berkshire Medical College in class of 1856. In 1857 
he entered upon the practice of his profession in Belchertown 
and was there successfully employed until 1861, when he 
was commissioned assistant-surgeon in the Twenty-fifth 
Massachusetts Volunteers. This regiment was assigned to 
the Burnside expedition. In this service Dr. Temple con- 
tracted malarial fever and resigned in the spring of 1862. 
The same year he removed to this town where he commanded 
the respect of the community and secured a lucrative prac- 
tice. While residing in this town he was examining surgeon 
by appointment from Governor Andrew. In the autumn of 
1864, he removed to Amherst and continued in active prac- 
tice until 1875. During the past ten years he has been 
employed in the customs service at Boston with a residence 
in Waltham. 

Dr. Harvey D. Jillson (eclectic) pursued his pro- 
fessional studies at Harvard Medical School and at Worces- 
ter. Adopting the theories of the eclectic school, he 
entered upon the practice of his profession in Leominster in 
1860. He removed to this town in 1864. He was elected 
a member of the school committee for three years but 
removed to Fitch burg in 1868 before the completion of the 
term. For two years he was president of the Worcester 
North Eclectic Society, and eleven years its secretary, and 
was a vice-president of the National Eclectic Medical Society. 



PERSONAL NOTICES. 473 

He died September 25, 1877, aged forty-three years. 

Dr. Charles L. Pierce, son of John F. and Abigail 
Fiske Pierce, was born in Derby, Vermont, May 17, 1840. 
He attended school at Newbury, Vermont, and at Meriden, 
New Hampshire, and graduated at the New York College of 
Physicians and Surgeons. He practised his profession a 
short time at Charlestown, New Hampshire, and removed to 
this town in 1865. Dr. Pierce was generally regarded as a 
skilful physician and was employed by a considerable part 
of the community. He removed to Natick in 1871, and 
from thence to San Francisco, California, where he died 
May 11, 1885. 

Dr. Alonzo Lawrence Stickney, son of Alvah and 
Rebecca (Wright) Stickney, was born in Townsend, May 
26, 1835. He attended the academies at Milford and New 
Ipswich, New Hampshire, and graduated at Harvard 
Medical School in the class of 1862. His hrst professional 
labors were at Sutton. In the spring of 1864 he was 
appointed assistant-surgeon in the regular army and served 
to the close of the war. Returning to Sutton he was there 
successfully employed in the practice of his profession until 
his removal to this town in 1871. In an unusual degree, he 
early secured and has merited the confidence of his patrons. 
His success as a physician and his usefulness as a citizen will 
elicit prompt recognition in future reviews of completed 
labor. 

Dr. Amory Jewett, son of Amory and Lucy E. (Die- 
waide) Jewett, was born in Boston, January 17, 1833. He 
attended the public schools of Boston and graduated at the 
Eclectic Medical College, Cincinnati, Ohio. After a brief 
practice in Boston, he removed to this town in 1868 and 
remained in successful practice until 1873. Since he re- 
moved from this town he has practised in Clinton, Fitchburg 



474 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

and Hubbardston. On account of failing health he has retired 
from active practice and now resides in Somerville. Dr. 
Jewett, while residing in this town, was successively secre- 
tary, councillor and president of the Worcester North 
Eclectic Medical Society. 
/ ^ Dr. Nathaniel Jewett, a brother of Dr. Amory Jewett, 

was born in Boston, March 10, 1841. He graduated at the 
Boston High School in 1858 and pursued a course of pro- 
fessional study under private tuition. He graduated at the 
Boston Dental College 1869, and at the New York Eclectic 
College 1871. In the mean time Dr. Jewett attended 
lectures at Harvard Medical School and at the College of 
Physicians and Surgeons, New York. He removed to this 
town in 1871 and has maintained a lucrative practice to the 
present time. He has been president of the Worcester 
North Eclectic Medical Society, and for many years the 
secretary and treasurer. He has been councillor and presi- 
dent of the Massachusetts Eclectic Medical Society and is a 
member of the National Eclectic Medical Association. Dr. 
Jewett is the eighteenth resident physician who has practised 
in this town and among this number none has been more 
constantly employed. 

Dr. Charles Kxowlton was here a few months in the 
autumn and winter of 1830-31. 

Dr. Miles Spauldixg, now of Groton, practised in this 
town from April to September, 1845, supplying the time 
between the practice of Dr. Stone and Dr. Miller. 

Dr. John Petts, who resided in this town for many 
years, was a physician, but he did not engage in practice 
after he removed to Ashburnham. 

Lawyers. — Of the four resident lawyers of this town 
only one remained any considerable length of time. If the 
good people of Ashburnham have not been wholly free from 




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PERSONAL NOTICES. 475 

strife and contention, they have seldom appealed to the 
courts for arbitration. And in some instances it is possible 
the contestants have found more entertainment in a continued 
prosecution of some domestic quarrel than could be realized 
in any possible terms of legal adjustment. 

Epiiraiim May Cunningham, Esq., practised law in this 
town from about 1818 to 1824. He removed to South 
Reading, now Wakefield. While in this town he boarded 
with the Jewetts, and by tradition he is furnished with the 
credentials of a good character and respectable abilities. 

Henry Adams, Esq., came to this town in 1825, or early 
in 1826, and remained four or five years. He was a man of 
fair abilities and met with a reasonable measure of success. 

George G. Parker, Esq., was born in Coventry, 
Connecticut, May 10, 1800, and was graduated at Yale in 
the class of 1828. He pursued his professional studies in 
the office of Myron Lawrence, Esq., of Belchertown, and 
began the practice of law in this town in 1831. He was 
quite deaf and labored under great embarrassment, yet he 
was successful and was highly esteemed by the profession 
and by his townsmen. He served two years in the supervi- 
sion of the public schools and for many years he was a mem- 
ber of the board of selectmen. In 1840 and 1841 he ably 
re])resented the town in the Legislature. He died Decem- 
ber 14, 1852. 

Albert Haynes Andrews, Esq., son of Jeremiah and 
Abigail Anna (Haynes) Andrews, was born in Waltham, 
December 29, 1829. He attended the schools in Ashby and 
Fitchburg and the Academy at Westminster, and jun-sued 
his i)rofessional studies in the office of Judge Thornton K. 
Ware of Fitchburg. He was admitted to the Worcester 
county l)ar in 1856. With a view of entering upon the 
practice of law in the West, Mr. Andrews went to Chicago 



476 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

and there becoming interested in the controversy attending 
the political situation of Kansas he raised a company of sixty 
men and hastened to the relief of the Free State party in this 
memorable conflict. Returning to the East he entered upon 
the practice of law in this town in the autumn of 1857. He 
was the fourth and last resident lawyer in Ashburnham. 

While a resident of this town he was a member of the 
school committee and in 1860 and 1661 he represented this 
district in the Legislature, and was- adjutant of the Ninth 
Regiment of Militia , then under command of Colonel Joseph 
P. Rice. In May, 1861, Mr. Andrews was commissioned a 
first lieutenant in the regular army and assigned to the 
Nineteenth Infantry. He continued in the service about 
nine years and during this time he was in fact a citizen of 
Ashburnham. For gallant and meritorious service at the 
battle of Shiloh he was breveted captain and at Stone River 
he won the brevet rank of major. In the autumn of 1863 
Major Andrews was ordered North on recruiting service. 
After enlisting two hundred and sixty-five men he remained 
with his regiment in Tennessee and Georgia until the sur- 
render of the Confederate army. Subsequently, Major 
Andrews was with his regiment in Arkansas and Louisiana 
until he resigned January 1, 1870. During this time he was 
commandant of military posts much of the time and was 
frequently assigned to important trusts. 

During the past seventeen years Major Andrews has 
resided in Fitchburg, in Kansas and in San Francisco, Cali- 
fornia, and since November, 1879, he has been Inspector of 
Customs at Boston. In a life of diversified employment. 
Major Andrews has been faithful and efficient in the dis- 
charge of duty and has commanded the respect and confi- 
dence of his associates. 



PERSONAL NOTICES. 477 

Deacon Sainiuel Wilder was born in Lancaster, May 7, 
1739. He was a son of Colonel Caleb Wilder and a grand- 
son of Judge Joseph Wilder. Colonel Caleb Wilder owned 
man}^ acres of land in Dorchester Canada and was much 
employed in forwarding the settlement. His name frequently 
appears in the records of the proprietors, but he never re- 
sided in this town. Samuel Wilder settled here previous to 
1765. At the first town meeting under the act of incorpora- 
tion, March 25, 1765, he was chosen collector of the land 
tax. Before the close of the year he temporarily removed 
from the town and in November following Samuel Nichols 
was chosen in place of Mr. Wilder who was, as the record 
asserts, " out of the province." He soon returned and in 
1767 he was a selectman and received other mention in the 
proceedings of the meetings. From this date he resided in 
Ashburnham continuously until his death. In early life he 
was a captain in the colonial militia, but he was never honored 
with the title after he was chosen a deacon. The records 
assert his popularity and the unlimited confidence of his 
townsmen. He was several years a member of the General 
Court ; was the town clerk twenty-two years, a selectman 
fifteen years and an assessor twenty years. In addition to 
this extended service he was frequently chosen on important 
committees and in every emergency his service was invoked. 
For many years he was justice of the peace and in his time 
few legal papers were executed in this town which did not 
bear his familiar signature. 

The advancement of Mr. Wilder was attended by no for- 
tuitous circumstances. His honors were merited and his 
position among his townsmen was the voice of mature senti- 
ment. If not brilliant, his qualities were solid, and if he did 
not win the applause of his fellow-men, he enjoj^ed in an 
unusual degree their trust and confidence. At fitty-nine 
years of age he died suddenly May 9, 1798, but he lived 



478 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

until Joseph Jewett had been advanced to his assistance in 
town affairs. Leaving his mantle, like the prophet of old, 
upon the shoulders of his successor, he closed a record full 
of honor and unstained with an ignoble deed. 

Joseph Jewett, son of Edward and Sarah Jewett, was 
born in Stow, May 10, 1761. The family had previously 
resided in Concord, where some of the older children were 
born and subsequently removed to Bolton. Deacon Edward 
Jewett, a man of superior ability and a prominent citizen of 
Rindge, was an older brother. After serving in the Revolu- 
tion, of which mention is made in another chapter, Joseph 
Jewett removed to this town in 1783. He was a merchant 
and a farmer and for many years the leading business man in 
the place ; but in other employments he was even more in- 
timately identified with the town's history. In this con- 
nection his record as a citizen, and the sterling qualities of 
his character demand more than a passing notice. At the 
age of twenty-two years he entered upon the scene of his 
future activity and immediately the town recognized the 
qualities of the man. The proof of his popularity and the 
measure of the confidence reposed in him are witnessed by 
the records. He was a member of the board of selectmen 
fifteen years, an assessor fifteen years, town clerk eighteen 
years and was ten times chosen to preside over the annual 
March meeting. 

In the midst of these accumulating honors and responsi- 
bilities he was a member of the Legislature seven years and 
was frequently chosen to serve on committees and render 
other service to the town. But no numerical statement of 
his official service will fairly express the measure of confi- 
dence reposed in him, or the unanimity in which he was 
called to these posts of duty. In military affairs he evinced 
a lively interest. Tradition asserts he was the first captain 
of the Ashburnham Light Infantry. It is certain that he 



PERSONAL NOTICES. 479. 

commanded a company in this town as early as 1789 and was 
commissioned a captain of the independent company in this 
town, July 12, 1791, and the following year was promoted 
to major. He was lieutenant-colonel in 1795 and colonel 
of the regiment, to which the Ashburnham companies 
belonged, in 179G. For many years he was a justice of the 
peace and was frequently called upon to act in this capacity. 
A rear room in the store building was styled the court-room 
and there many official papers were executed and many 
minor suits were adjudicated. 

In these outlines of a life work, if other evidence failed, 
there would remain the inference of capacity, honesty and a 
measure of urbanity through which his fellow-men clearly 
recognized these sterling qualities. 

In civil afiairs Joseph Jewett is the most conspicuous per- 
sonage in the town's history. He was the oracle of his time 
and an autocrat among his townsmen, yet his ambition was 
limited and he wisely exercised authority when thrust upon 
him. The aged who remember Mr. Jewett are united in the 
testimony that he was a man of rigid integrity, — that the 
distinguishing qualities of his mind were an intuitive per- 
ception and a sound judgment, and that he was kind and 
considerate to his fellow-men. He died May 3, 1846. 

General Ivers Jewett, a son of Colonel Joseph Jewett, 
was born in this town. May 7, 1788. His record as a mer- 
chant in his native town has been stated in another chapter. 
In 1827 he removed to Fitchburg and was interested in 
several manufacturing and other enterprises. Many of the 
business ventures which he forwarded with enthusiasm and 
supported with his money and credit were unfortunate for 
him and his friends. General Jewett was of buoyant, ardent 
temperament, of attractive, personal appearance and com- 
manding presence. He was affable, kind-hearted and gener- 
ous. Popularity was his birthright and the record of his 



480 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

early life is attractive and inspiriting. At thirty-four years 
of age he had risen from the ranks of the Ashburnham Light 
Infantry to the rank of a general of the State Militia. At 
every step in this rapid transition he had been an efficient 
and popular officer. lie had been a successful merchant and 
had enlarged the business established by his father. He had 
been employed in town affairs and had exercised unusual 
sway and command among liis fellow-men. 

Few men at this age and in a rural community of limited 
population have made a more brilliant record. In mental 
capacity, in fitness to lead and ability to command among 
men and aptitude in the routine transaction of business, he 
resembled his father in an eminent degi'ee. In boldness of 
conception, in power to persuade and in originality of project 
he was his superior ; but in ripeness of judgment, in pru- 
dence and caution, he failed at the threshold of his father's 
success. Of his later life little is known. He removed to 
the South and there accumulated a handsome property which 
was swept away by the fortunes of war during the Rebellion. 
He died at Mobile, Alabama, April 26, 1871. 

The WiIvLard.s. — The brothers Deacon John and Jacob 
Willard removed from Harvard 1768. They were men of 
ability and occupied prominent positions in public affairs. 
Deacon Willard died July 4, 1793, having been in feeble 
health for several years. He was a man of most estimable 
character and was highly respected. Had he been sustained 
by health it is proljable that very few in the history of the 
town would have been more conspicuous. 

Jacob Willard was a strong, aggressive character. His 
services in behalf of good government during the disturb- 
ances succeeding the Revolution, and especially during the 
excitement attending the revolt of Daniel Shays, were instant 
and effective. He was a delej^ate to the Law and Order 



PERSONAL NOTICES. 481 

Conventions held at that time, and was a iirni supporter of 
the Government. He was a representative to the tirst 
Legishiture convened under the Constitution of the State, 
and was four times elected subsequently. His name fre- 
quently appears in the list of town officers in another chap- 
ter, and few men have exercised a stronger or more salutary 
influence in town aftairs. He died February 22, 1808. 

Silas Willard, Esq., son of Deacon John Willard, was 
another prominent citizen of this town. In 1820 he was a 
member of the Constitutional Convention and was frequently 
chosen to positions of trust. For twenty-eight years he was 
a justice of the peace and through a long life he commanded 
the esteem and respect of all who knew him. He died June 
14, 1855. 

John Adams, son of Captain Thomas and Lydia (Chad- 
wick), Adams, was born, January 22, 1745. In 1766 he 
began a clearing on Cambridge farm, on land purchased of 
his father, and here he was engaged each summer in clearing 
land and in building a house and a barn until 1770, when he 
became a permanent resident of this town. That John 
Adams was a man of unusual vigor of bod}^ is an easy infer- 
ence from the fact that he lived to the advanced age of one 
hundred and four years, one month and four days, and that 
he was a man of superior mental endowment is swiftly wit- 
nessed by the record of a prolonged and useful life. He was 
frequentl}' elected assessor and selectman, and in other 
municipal atfairs he was much employed. In an unusual 
degree he commanded the respect and good will of his towns- 
men. The fruit of a life of industry and frugality he dis- 
tributed, while living, among his children, and when over 
ninety years of age, with a horse and light wagon, he 
journeyed to Harford, Susquehanuah county, Pennsylvania, 
and hack to Ashburnham. His son, James, had previously 
31 



482 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

removed to Harford and soon after his visit there he re- 
turned to that place and there resided until his death. 

In the closing years of a remarkable life he passed through 
no twilight of mental decay and feebleness. When over one 
hundred years of age, in a letter to Mrs. Samuel Gibson, 
who during many years was a near neighbor, he writes of 
himself in these clear, intelligent sentences, — "My eyesight 
remains much as it has been for many years. I can see with 
srlasses to read an hour or two at a time which answers in 
the room of hearing." Not until he had closely approached 
one hundred years did his hearing fail, and to the end he 
was able to converse w^ith his friends, although his hearing 
was considerably impaired. Under date of February 7, 
1846, he wa'ites to his grandson, John Adams, as follows : 

Beloved Grandson : — This morning I received the kindness of 
your letter, and among other things it brought the sorrowful and 
melancholy tidings of the death of your venerable grandmother 
Gibson. The news has struck me with uncommon feelings of 
sorrow. I presume you are not unacquainted with the friendship 
that has for many long years subsisted between the old lady, your 
grandmother, and m^'self, and hope you will not wonder at my 
being overpowered. My mind is too much disturbed to be able to 
write. O, what a vale of tears is this pilgrimage, — this worldly 
state in which we are placed ! And how are we excited to sym- 
pathize with each other under the bereavements which we have 
sustained since I saw yuu last, when we look around and see what 
slaughter the King of Terrors has been permitted to make in our 
family. O, how man}- of our nearest relations and even bosom 
companions are no more ; — and last of all your beloved grand- 
mother, my friend and sister. And where now shall we look for 
consolation? To God and to the Gospel of his Son. There, and 
there alone, shall we find relief. 

Love to your children and all enquiring friends, your uncle 
Samuel's [Gibson] family in particular. With the affections of a 
parent, I remain 

JOHN ADAMS. 



PERSONAL NOTICES. 433 

In a letter to Joel Foster, son of Samuel and grandson of 
Jeremiah Foster, an early settler in this town, vivid evidences 
of an unimpaired memory are apparent. The letter was 
written at Harford, February 3, 1846. 

Respected Friend : — I am now with a weak and faltering hand 
attempting to comply with your request by writing a few lines to 
you, hoping this will find you and your family in health and 
prospering. I would inform you that my health is as good as may 
be expected by a person like myself under the infirmities of old 
age and the decay of mental faculties. Dear sir, I received your 
friendly letter by my son James and took much pleasure in read- 
ing the contents of it ; it alwaj's gives me much pleasure to receive 
a letter from my Massachusetts friends, but especially from a 
family where I have been so agreeably acquainted as I was with 
your honored father and his family. It reminds me of by-gone 
days when we were doing town business together. If ever I took 
satisfaction in that business it was when I was connected with 
your father. True, he was not a ready writer ; but his candor, his 
judicious and sound judgment and unprejudiced mind and ex- 
tensive knowledge of the town and its affairs, qualified him for the 
business in which he was often engaged. I presume you remember 
me often at your house, and I knew something of its affairs ; and 
truly I thought your father and his family was a worthy example, 
and on his farm a pattern of industry, dilligence and economy ; 
in the town, a pillar to the community a blessing to all, an honest 
man, which is the noblest work of God. But his God whom he 
served saw fit in the midst of his days to call him hence, and shall 
not the Lord of heaven and earth do right? And who shall say 
to the Almighty, what doest thou, or why doest thou so? 

I understand by your letters that in years past you have beeu 
visited by sickness and the loss of friends, even your bosom friend. 
In this I can feelingly sympathize with you, having been tried in 
the same furnace of affliction, losing the wife of my youth with 
whom I lived fifty-three years, every year adding strength to the 
tie of aflfection. But under these trials it becomes us to cultivate 



484 HISTOEY OF ASHBUENHAM. 

a spirit of resignation whereby we may be enabled to say from the 
heart, — " Not my will, heavenl}' Father, but thine be done." 

Dear friend, I now take the liberty to congratulate you on the 
happy connexion which you have formed with the once Mrs. 
Cobleigh, a lad}^ with whom I have in time past had some acquaint- 
ance, and view her to be a lady of virtue, intelligence and benefi- 
cence, and with whom I wish you to enjoy a long, peaceful, joyful, 
prosperous and happy life. 

I must write one sad piece of news, if 3^ou have not heard of it. 
Our coal mine, about eighteen miles from here, about a fortnight 
ago broke in and covered seventeen men which have not yet been 
found. 

Give my respects to all your surviving family and enquiring 
friends. When I think of Ashburnham, it seems as though I was 
at home, being the place where I spent the prime and vigor of my 
days, and where there are now many of m}' near relations and 
dear friends sleeping in the dust. Peace to their ashes ; and 
peace to the town ; long may it continue to prosper ; and may 
truth and righteousness grow and flourish. 

Divine Providence, it seems, has so ordered that my body must 
return to dust in a strange land, that is, in a land far distant from 
where rest most of the ashes of my beloved relatives. Truly such 
would not have been my choice ; but why should we be anxious 
about the clay when the spirit has taken its flight to God who gave 
it? And blessed be God for the hope which is the anchor of the 
soul sure and steadfast, that we in his own time shall meet and 
worship him and his son Jesus Christ our Eedeemer, joining in a 
new and never-ending anthem and song of redeeming love. 

And here, dear sir, I must conclude my broken epistle ; and 
bidding you goodby, I remain your sincere friend, 

JOHN ADAMS, aged one hundred and one years. 

Mr. Joel Foster. 

Other letters and writings, treasured by his descendants, 
assert the vigor of an active mind, and those written when 
this aged man had lived an hundred years are without a 





^^-. 



e-^'"^ 



PERSONAL NOTICES. 485 

parallel. He died February 26, 1849. His descendants in 
this town have been and still are numerous and have ever 
been useful and prominent citizens. 

Colonel Enoch Whit3iore, son of Isaac and Rebecca 
(Foster) Whitmore, was born in this town, September 8, 
1796. He was a farmer and a manufacturer, and resided in 
the northwest part of the town. In early life he was an 
efficient officer in the militia and rapidly rose to the command 
of the regiment. Having held the commissions of lower 
rank he was commissioned colonel of the Fourth Regiment 
in 1829. In town affairs he was frequently called to positions 
of trust and was chosen to nearly all the offices within the 
gift of the town. 

The anti-slavery cause early enlisted his sympathies and 
found in him an intelligent and steadfast support. With 
him the sentiment was not the offspring of emotional 
sympathy, but a living principle of human right and justice. 
In this and in all questions of moment, Colonel Whitmore 
was a radical but not a fanatic. In his view the institution 
of slavery was wrong, and to oppose it with the force of a 
persistent nature was a natural sequence. For many years 
he was in the minority and during an age of strong political 
prejudices, his political views were a bar to' promotion in 
public service ; yet his frequent election to office was a spon- 
taneous recognition of his worth and ability. In his daily 
life he was above reproach, and in his social relations he was 
generous and affectionate. He died September 13, 1860. 

Jerome W. Foster, Esq., son of Joel and Dolly 
(Wetherbee) Foster, was born in this town, December 15, 
1810. He was a great-grandson of Jeremiah Foster, one of 
the early settlers of this town, and inherited in an eminent 
degree a firmness of character and soundness of judgment 
which had distinguished his ancestors. Mr. Foster was a 



486 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

man of varied employments and many trusts were safely 
confided to his efiicient management. He was a civil 
engineer, a justice of the peace, for many years the superin- 
tendent of the post office and was frequently employed in the 
conduct of town affairs. He was also a trustee of Gushing 
Academy and a member of the committee of construction, 
and to his prudent and sagacious counsels the Academy is 
much indebted. For eighteen years he was town clerk. 
The records by him transcribed are expressed with precision 
and orderly arrangement. In every labor of an industrious 
life, Mr. Foster has left the impress of mature judgment and 
integrity of character. If he never sought the applause of 
his fellow-men and never suggested his own advancement he 
did not fail to receive the spontaneous confidence and un- 
qualified respect of all who knew him. 

Mr. Foster was reserved in manner and conservative in 
his habits of thought, jet he never failed in the discharge of 
important trusts, nor in courage to maintain his convictions 
of right and duty. He was prominent in all measures per- 
taining to the welfare of the town and on questions of 
moment his advice was frequently sought, and in his loyal 
service the best interests of the community were encouraged 
and advanced.' He died March 23, 1871. 

Hon. Ohio Whitney, son of Ohio and Mary (Bolton) 
Whitne}^ was born in Ashburnham, June 9, 1813. 
He was honorably connected in direct and collateral 
branches of his family. In early life he was an apprentice 
with Josiah White, a carpenter of this town, and sub- 
sequently he was foreman with Mr. Tower of Worcester, a 
few years. Returning to his native town at the age of 
twenty-six years, he was mainly employed as a contractor 
and builder through the earlier years of an active and useful 
life. He was engaged at different times in many business 





l^c^ 




u. 



'^^rLey 




A- 



PERSONAL NOTICES. 487 

enterprises, and especially those in which the prosperity of 
the town was more immediately involved. But he was best 
known and is more conspicuous in the annals of this town as 
a public-spirited, loyal citizen. With him the fame and 
growth of Ashburnham was not merely a series of sudden 
impulses, enlisting his energies for a day, but rather a con- 
trolling and ever renewed inspiration which neither failed 
under discouragement nor suffered abatement under oppos- 
ing obstacles. 

Every commendable enterprise has found in Mr. Whitne}' 
unfailing encouragement and to the aid of very many his 
willing service has been summoned. For many years he 
was a trustee of the Fitchburg Savings Bank and a vice- 
president of the Ashburnham Savings Bank, and an original 
director of the Ashburnham National Bank. He was presi- 
dent of the Worcester North Agricultural Society in 1864 
and 1865, and an active member of the Fitchburg Board of 
Trade. His efficient service in behalf of Gushing Academy, 
is mentioned in another chapter. 

In the affairs of the town he was much employed. His 
service in this direction was efficient and cheerfully rendered. 
Eighteen years he presided over the annual March meetings 
and was frequently elected to the board of selectmen and 
assessors and upon important committees. In 1856 he 
represented the town in the House of Representatives, and 
the following year he was a member of the Senate. 

But such enumeration of public services fails to suggest 
the characteristics of the man. In this direction others have 
earned equal honors, but few have served the public with 
equal acceptance and efficiency. In his intercourse with his 
fellow-men he was affable and charitable. He bore malice 
to none. In the inner walks of his daily life his affections 
were constant and his friendships enduring. He died 
February 6, 1879. 



488 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Personal Notices. — To the following notices are 
appended brief sketches of Governor Isaac Hill, Thomas 
Parkman Gushing and Hon. Milton Whitney. While they 
removed from this town in early life they were members of 
Ashburnham families ; Mr. Gushing and Mr. AVhitney w^ere 
natives of this town. 

Hon. Isaac Hill, eldest son of Isaac and Hannah (Rus- 
sell) Hill, was born in Gambridge, now Arlington, April 6, 
1788. The ftimily removed to Ashburnham in 1798 and 
here found many ties of kindred. The mother of this dis- 
tinguished man was a grand-daughter of Captain Thomas 
Adams who removed to this town in 1775 and a sister of 
Thomas Russell who removed here about 1790. The parents 
continued to live and died in this town, and three of the 
daughters became the wives of Ashburnham men. Assist- 
ing in the management of a farm and attending the primitive 
schools of this town a few weeks in each year, Mr. Hill 
remained here until December, 1802, when he was appren- 
ticed to Joseph Gushing, the publisher of the Farmers' 
Cabinet at Amherst, New Hampshire. Mr. Gushing was 
a son of Gaptain David Gushing of this town. 

Having improved every opportunity for the acquisition of 
knowledge, he left the employ of Mr. Gushing and went to 
Goncord, New Hampshire, April 5, 1809, the day before he 
was twenty-one years of age. In the autumn preceding the 
American Patriot, a small weekly paper, had been 
established in Goncord and at this time Mr. Hill purchased 
the establishment. On the eighteenth of April he became a 
citizen of Goncord and entered upon a career enlivened by 
many weighty and brilliant achievements. He was an able 
controversial writer and for many years the vigorous editor 
of the New Hampshire Patriot. Through the columns of 
this paper he won a national reputation and became the 



PERSONAL NOTICES. 489 

acknowledged leader of the Democratic party of the State. 
He was a rigid partisan, ready at all times to give and to 
receive vigorous blows ; and if he was strong and some- 
times scathing in attack he was generous and noble in all his 
personal relations with his fellow-men. His friendship was 
unfailing, he was frank, sincere and honest and his character 
was above reproach. It is easily within the limits of con- 
servative estimate to assert that Isaac Hill had a more 
numerous personal following and firmer adherents than has 
fallen to the lot of any man in New Hampshire. 

In the course of an active life he was called to numerous 
positions of trust and responsibility and in this varied service 
his integrity and ability were conspicuous. He was a di- 
rector of several local monetary organizations ; twice the 
clerk of the State Senate, a member of both branches of the 
Legislature and in 1829 he was appointed by President Jack- 
son second comptroller of the Treasury Department. He 
was chosen United States senator for a full term commencing 
March, 1831. Having been elected governor of New Hamp- 
shire in the spring of 1836 he resigned his seat in the Senate 
a few months before the completion of the term. In 1837 
and 1838 he was reelected governor, and in 1840 he was 
appointed sub-treasurer of the United States at Boston. 

Thomas Parkman Gushing was born in this town, Octo- 
ber 7, 1787. He was the youngest of the eight children of 
Rev. Dr. John and Sarah (Parkman) Gushing. In lineal 
descent this family is not represented in this town at the 
present time, but the name is crystallized in the annals of 
Ashburnham. It will live for ages and will be read in fair 
characters, both in the prolonged and useful pastorate of the 
father and in the life and benevolence of the son. At the 
age of thirteen years he entered the store of an elder brother 
in Boston. This engagement was interrupted by the death 



490 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

of his brother. In 1809 he became one of the firm of Tuck- 
erman and Rogers, subsequently known as Tuckerman and 
Gushing and as Gushing and Wilkinson. In this firm he 
was actively engaged until he retired from business a few 
years previous to his death. 

In an address delivered by Rev. Josiah D. Grosby at the 
dedication of Gushing Academy, 1875, appears the following 
outline of the business life of Mr. -Gushing. 

"The knowledge, varied, extensive and valuable, necessar}^ 
to conduct such establishments successfully, is almost an 
education of itself. Besides, the habits of the man of busi- 
ness in respect to order, punctuality, observation, large 
generalization of facts, of close and consecutive thinking, of 
decisive and instant action, conjoined with honorable dealing, 
are of high value. 

"Not unfrequently men, so trained, have stepped into the 
highest offices of the country, and have filled them with 
great profit to the people, as well as honor to themselves. 
Mr. Gushing seems to have applied himself with a character- 
istic enthusiasm to a thorough mastery of all the knowledge 
connected with his business, and much more than this, as 
will appear farther on. He went abroad for business pur- 
poses early in life, and made good use of his opportunities 
for general improvement. But all this was incidental to his 
main purpose, that is, success in business. About 1812, he 
formed the purpose of going to Europe to purchase goods 
to be put upon a bare market after the war. He was 
defeated in his first attempt, but finally reached England 
through Halifax. He remained in Europe to the close of 
the war. He bought his goods, and they came upon the 
market at a favorable time, with much advantage to himself 
from his venture. 



PERSONAL NOTICES. 491 

" Mr. dishing was an upright and honorable merchant of 
the old school. He guided his conduct by principles, and 
not impulses. His gains were not from speculation, dash or 
reckless movements, but were the results of fair trade. His 
morals were pure and his habits good. Though a man of 
great energy and persistency, yet he was a quiet, noiseless 
man, especially pleased with home and domestic scenes. 
His relief from toils of business was not in the gatherings of 
men, but in reading, many times till late at night. It may 
suffice to say, that by good conduct, untiring industry and 
excellent judgment, he gained for himself an ample fortune 
in the sense of his time, and achieved a place among the 
solid men of Boston." 

In his youth the exterior educational advantages of Mr. 
Cushing were limited, but the influences of his home in 
childhood gave direction to his habits of thought and his 
manner of life. He was a student always and with an ex- 
acting employment of his leisure hours he became a master 
of English literature and acquired a fair knowledge of French 
and Spanish. 

By attentive reading, by observation and through the asso- 
ciation with persons of similar tastes, Mr. Cushing fully 
comprehended the enlargement of education and the progress 
of art and the sciences that have attended the age in which 
he lived. In these habits of thought and in such employ- 
ments, stimulated by a thirst for knowledge which his early 
advantages could not satisfy, the foundations of Cushing 
AciKlemy were wisely and firmly laid. 

Concerning his manner in his daily life the afl'ectionate 
liand of a daughter has written : 

"My father had a remarkably even temper, and rarely 
gave way to anything like excitement in tone or look. He 
had a quick sense of humor and enjoyed telling and hearing 



492 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

a good story. His manners were ever those of a highly 
bred gentleman, his voice naturally low, and uniform urban- 
ity and courtesy distinguished him in his family as abroad. 
He had a fine musical ear ; in younger days was a good 
singer and played the flute well. Even to the last year of 
his life, it was a delight to him to accompany the piano with 
his favorite instrument, and our evenings were often spent 
in music and singing. 

"He was also fond of art, and though never in Italy, was 
familiar with her treasures of sculpture, architecture and 
painting, and possessed many fine engravings of the same." 

Thomas Parkman Gushing died November 23, 1854. His 
will which had been written a few years, making ample pro- 
vision for an institution of learning in his native town, was 
then announced. The wisdom and the liberality of the 
bequest have received willing tributes of commendation, but 
no one can present a clearer picture of the man or give a 
better interpretation of his thought than are revealed in the 
pages of his will. 

Milton Whitney, Esq., son of Captain Silas and 
Hannah (Gushing) Whitney, was born in this town, 
October 9, 1823. In an exact use of an ambiguous term, 
Mr. Whitney was a self-educated man. His only educa-' 
tional privileges were found in the public schools in this 
town and at a time before high schools and academies 
presented an opportunity for an advanced course of study. 
At an early age he entered the law ofiice of Torrey and 
Woods, Esqs., of Fitchburg. He was an attentive student 
and was admitted to the Worcester county bar about 1845. 
After a brief practice in Fitchburg, he removed to Baltimore, 
Maryland, in 1850. There, as if awaiting his arrival, the 
laurels of conquest abundantly crowned his industry and 
earnest efforts. His ability as a lawyer and his power as an 



PERSONAL NOTICES. 493 

advocate were promptly recognized, and he early secured a 
large and lucrative practice. In 1854 he was chosen county 
attorney for the county of Baltimore, and at the completion 
of his term in 1858, he was reelected. In the conduct of 
this office, he manifested both ability and courage. He in- 
stituted a fearless and vigorous prosecution of a disorderly 
element of the population, and liberated the city from a 
reign of terror which had prevailed for many years. With 
unrelenting energy he brought men of high and low degree 
to feel the power of oflended law, and gave to human life 
and property a security unknown in former years. In this 
direction his success was brilliant and substantial. Often he 
labored in the midst of an adverse public sentiment and 
wrested a verdict against crime from a sympathizing jury. 

In 1860 he resigned an office in which for six years he had 
won unusual distinction and had secured the merited regard 
of his fellow-men. During the remaining years of his life he 
conducted many trials that are historic in that State. 

The national government recognizing his ability, confided 
to his care several important cases. In one of these he 
secured a verdict of three million dollars on a claim of the 
Post Office Department against a delinquent contractor. 
This successful issue attracted considerable attention from 
the fact that the defendants had successfully resisted all 
former proceedings against them. But he was best known 
and won the highest distinction as a criminal lawyer. With 
the training he had received as a prosecuting attorney, with 
an intimate knowledge of criminal law and the ability to 
summon every energy for instant use he was as successful in 
defence as he had formerly been in the prosecution of persons 
accused of crime. He was frequently brought into com- 
petition with men of the highest legal attainments and 
ability as advocates, but on all occasions he sustained 



494 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

himself with credit and honor. His intellect brightened in 
the contest and each encounter added to his fame. 

In the midst of his oreatest achievements his strength 
failed him and he sought his native town for rest and in the 
hope of amended health. Surrounded by friends and visited 
by the acquaintances of his youth, his courage triumphed 
over his weakness, yet he found no relief and lived only a 
few weeks. 

Mr. Whitney was of medium height and of slender form. 
Sudden and nervous in his movements, he was yet affable 
and inviting in his manner. In his clear blue eye beamed 
the lio-ht of restless force and the tone of his voice s^ave 
accurate expression to the ardor of his emotions. Modest 
and unassuming, he seldom referred to his achievements or 
appeared conscious of the magnitude of his labor. He died 
in Ashburnham, September 3, 1875, and was buried in 
Baltimore, Maryland. 

College Graduates. — The following list of college 
graduates both in number and ability is highly creditable to 
the town. All of them are either natives of Ashburnham o^ 
removed hither in early childhood. A few are included who 
did not graduate, although they substantially completed a 
collegiate course of study. 

Asa Stearns, son of William and Lydia (Davis) 
Stearns, was born in Ashburnham, October 14, 1784. 
Graduated at Harvard University, 1807. He was a young 
man of promise. His early death is recorded by Rev. John 
Gushing: — Asa Stearns, A. B., a candidate for the gospel 
ministry, died December 19, 1809, JE. 25." 

Rev. Oliver Green, son of Oliver and Dorothy Hildreth 
Green, was born in Pepperell, July 4, 1781. Oliver Green, 
Sen., was a native of Pepperell and resided there until about 
1782 when he removed to Ashby. The year 1799 he 



)9*- 



PERSONAL NOTICES. 495 

resided in Westford, and in 1800 he removed to this town 
where he died May 15, 1834. Oliver, the son, was nineteen 
years of age when the family removed to Ashburnhara. He 
graduated at Dartmouth College, 1807, and studied divinity 
with Rev. Dr. Samuel Austin, of Worcester. He taught at 
New Salem from June, 1807, to October 1808, and at 
Saratoga Springs, New York, from October, 1808, to 
September, 1809. In the autumn of the last year he 
removed to Sparta, New Jersey, where he was pastor of the 
Presbyterian church and a teacher. He died at Sparta, 
October 24, 1810. 

De. Samuel Scollay, son of Grover and Rebecca (j 

(Harris) Scollay, was born in Harvard, January 21, 1781. o Q 

The family removed to Ashburnham when he was a child of "*" 
three or four years of age. He fully improved the public 
schools of this town and labored upon the farm of his father 
until he became of age and was at full liberty to direct his 
future course. He then pursued a liberal course of study 
and was graduated at Harvard University, 1808. After 
teaching a short time, he studied medicine with Dr. Samuel 
J. Cramer, of Charlestown, Virginia, and in the spring of 
1816, he received his degree from the University of Pennsyl- 
vania in Philadelphia. He entered upon the practice of his 
profession in Smithfield, Jefferson county, Virginia, now 
West Virginia, and there remained in active labor until his 
death. He was a man of superior ability, and in his pro- 
fession he merited and enjoyed an excellent reputation. He 
acquired a substantial estate, but the memory of his spotless 
character and excellent qualities of mind and heart was the 
richer inheritance of his children. He died January 11, 
1857. 

Rev. Jonathan David Winchester, son of Henry and 
Lois (Phelps) Winchester, and a grandson of Rev. Jonathan 



496 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Winchester, was born in Ashburnhum, April 28, 1781. 
Graduated at Middlebury College, 1809. He read theology 
with Rev. Holland "Weeks, of Abington. After preaching a 
few years at Madrid, New York, he was pastor of the First 
Presbyterian church in Madison, Ohio, from 1826 to 1828, 
and of the Second Presbyterian church in that place 1830-31. 
He was a noted biblical student and devoted considerable 
time to a critical study, but a literal interpretation of the 
prophecies concerning the restoration of the Jews. He 
believed in their early return to Jerusalem with their 
Mosaic rights and ceremonies and that their conversion to 
Christianity would immediately follow. Until his death he 
labored assiduously to direct the attention of the Christian 
public to this subject, and also to convince the Jews of the 
general truths of Christianity. Imbued with these senti- 
ments and improving every opportunity to give them ex- 
pression, he travelled extensively in this country and also 
visited England where he was engaged several months in 
active labor. With a lofty faith and courage unabated, he 
was contemplating a journey to the shores of the Medi- 
terranean, in a hope that he might render more signal service 
in preparing a way for the return of Israel to their ancient 
Jerusalem, when death overtook him. He died at Madison, 
Ohio, August 17, 1835. 

Henry Crosby, son ot Frederick and Martha* (Maynard) 
Crosby, was born in Shrewsbury, July 18, 1785. The 
family removed to this town 1795. He graduated at Dart- 
mouth College, 1810, and read for the profession of law in 
the State of New York, where he practiced several years. 
Subsequently, he removed to Middlebrook Mills, Mont- 
gomery county, Maryland, where he was engaged in teach- 
ing many years. About 1838, it is supposed, he removed 
to Missouri and his subsequent career is unknown. 



PERSONAL NOTICES. 497 

Asa Gkeen, M. D., son of Oliver and Dorothy (Hil- 
clreth) Green, was born in Ashby, February 11, 1789. He 
entered sophomore class of Williams College and graduated 
1813. In college he held a good reputation as a scholar and 
was distinguished for wit and vigor of thought. He 
practised medicine in Lunenburg, Townsend and North 
Adams, and while residing in the last named place he con- 
ducted a paper for a short time. Later, he removed to New 
York city and published a readable work of fiction which 
was intended to ridicule quackery in medicine. He received 
his degree of Doctor of Medicine from Brown University. 
He died in New York, 1839. 

Hon. Phinehas Randall, son of Phinehas and Sarah 
(Crosby) Randall, was born in Ashburnham, June 5, 1787. 
About 1810 the family removed to Williston, Vermont, and 
while a resident of that place he entered the University of 
Vermont where he graduated in the class of 1813. He was 
principal of the academy in Cherry Valley, New York, for 
a short time and was early admitted to the bar. He was 
successfully engaged in the practice of his profession at 
Bowman's Creek, later known as Ames, in Montgomery 
county, New York, until 1851, when he removed to 
Waukesha, Wisconsin, where he died 1853. 

In 1828-9, he was a member of the New York Legislature 
and was appointed Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for 
the county of Montgomery 1839. Among his children are 
included Hon. Alexander W. Randall, governor of Wiscon- 
sin, and Hon. Edwin M. Randall, Chief Justice of Florida. 
The family record is continued in the Genealogical Register. 

Rev. John Stearns, son of Isaac and Mary (Crosby) 
Stearns, was born in this town. May 11, 1791. Graduated 
at Union College, 1821. He studied divmity and was 
ordained in the ministry without charge. He was a teacher 

32 



J> 



498 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

in Washington, D. C, where he died September 10, 1824. 

Rev. Merrick Augustus Jewett, D. D., youngest 
son of Colonel Joseph and Sarah (Woods) Jewett, was born 
in this town, August 26, 1798. He is remembered as a 
youth of excellent qualities of mind and heart, and was held 
in high esteem as a pupil and subsequently as a teacher in 
the public schools of his native town. He pursued his 
preparatory studies at Phillips Academy, Andover, and 
graduated at Dartmouth College in class of 1823. During 
the ensuing two or three years he assisted in the store of an 
elder brother who was established in Baltimore, Maryland, 
and while there he studied theology under the direction of 
Rev. Dr. John McKim Duncan. After preaching nearly 
eight years in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in the sum- 
mer of 1834, while journeying to St. Louis where a field of 
labor was inviting him, he tarried for a day at Terre Haute, 
Indiana. The labor of a lifetime now met him on his way. 
He was cordially invited to remain and preach the ensuing 
Sabbath. The first sermon determined the future relations 
between the preacher and the settlement. Terre Haute, 
now a city of thirty-five thousand inhabitants, was then a 
village of twelve hundred. At their earnest solicitation 
Mr. Jewett remained and preached to them through the 
week, and early in December, 1834, a Congregational 
church was organized with eleven members. With an 
ardent, eloquent preacher and a respected and beloved 
pastor, the church grew with the town. In 1841, during a 
series of revival meetings, Mr. Jewett was assisted by Rev. 
Henry Ward Beecher and over one hundred names were 
added to the roll of the church. 

An incident connected with his early labors in Terre 
Haute was never forgotten by the pastor or his sympathizing 
flock. After he had preached a few weeks he returned to 



PERSONAL NOTICES. 499 

Baltimore to attend his family on the journey to their future 
home. Returning they arrived at Terre Haute Christmas 
eve. The following morning his little son was instantly 
killed by the accidental discharge of a gun in the hands of a 
servant. If his labors were begun with tears> the sorrowful 
event awoke the tender sympathy of his people. 

In 1860, and after a successful and able pastorate of nearly 
twenty-six years, Mr. Jewett resigned his charge. Without 
charge, though frequently engaged in religious labor, he 
continued a residence in that place until a few months pre- 
ceding his death. While journeying in the South for the 
benefit of impaired health he died at Paris, Texas, April 3, 
1874, aged nearly seventy-six. 

In regard to the ministry of Rev. Dr. Jewett, one who 
knew him through all the years of his devoted labor in 
Terre Haute, pays him a cheerful tribute : "He was a man 
of great ability, bearing a high reputation as a pulpit orator 
and as a faithful, sympathetic pastor." "Added to his social 
qualities and to his strong sympathy and to his broad 
catholicity were his superior talents. He was an earnest 
preacher of the truth. He was a man of thought, a man of 
culture." 

Rev. Josiah Davis Crosby, Union College, 1826. 
Vide Chapter VIII. 

Rev. Jesse George Davis Stearns, son of Jesse and 
Lucinda (Davis) Stearns, was born in this town, February 
24, 1812. The family removed to New Ipswich in 1829 
where he pursued his preparatory studies and graduated at 
Amherst College, 1836. He was principal of Hopkins 
Academy in Hadley 1836-8, and tutor in Amherst College 
1839-41. Mr. Stearns pursued a full course of theological 
study at Andover, 1838-9 and '41-2. He was ordained at 
Billerica, the home of his ancestors. May 29, 1843, and was 



500 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

dismissed May 8, 1867. He was subsequeDtly acting pastor 
at Zumbrota, Minnesota, from 1876 until his death which 
occurred November 1, 1882. 

Of his pastorate in Billerica, Rev. Henry A. Hazen 
accords the following merited tribute : " The long and faith- 
ful pastorate of Mr. Stearns deserves especial recognition. 
A scholar of exceptional diligence and culture, modest and 
devout and active in every good word and work, he com- 
mended himself to the citizens of the town as well as to his 
own charge. As a teacher of a useful private school and 
superintendent of the schools of the town, he exerted no 
little influence and represented the town in the Legislature." 
Mr. Stearns is the author of " Meaning and Power of 
Baptism," and of several printed discourses and pamphlets. 

Rev. William Raymond, son of Daniel and Sally 
(Green) Raymond, was born in Ashby, October 27, 1815. 
The family removed to this town in 1822. He entered 
Amherst College in 1834 and remained two years. Subse- 
quently he was an academical and theological student at 
Oberlin College but did not graduate. Having been 
appointed to the Mendi Mission, Africa, under the auspices 
of the American Missionary Association he arrived with his 
wife at Freetown, Sierra Leone, January 15, 1842, after a 
passage of fifty days. During the voyage they experienced 
considerable sickness and buried their only child. They 
immediately returned to their native land, but again sailed 
for Africa, November 21, 1843. In this service he died in 
Africa, November 26, 1847. 

Rev. William Safford Spaulding, son of Isaac and 
Lydia (Brown) Spaulding, was born in this town, March 4, 
1809. He was a student at New Ipswich Academy and 
graduated at Marietta College 1839. He was principal of an 
academy in East Brooklyn, New York, 1841-2 ; of Brooklyn 



PERSONAL NOTICES. 501 

Female Collegiate Institute 1843-4; of Salisbuiy, New 
Hampshire, Academy, 1845-6 ; of Boscawen, New Hamp- 
shire Academy, 1847-8. While residing in Salisbury he 
studied divinity with Rev. C. B. Tracey and was ordained 
in the ministry September 18, 1848. During the succeed- 
ing ten years he was engaged in teaching and in the ministry 
in Ohio. Commencing in 1859 he was two years acting- 
pastor of the Congregational church in Bristol, New Hamp- 
shire, and agent of the American Tract Society from 1867 to 
1870. He died in Lynn, June 10, 1884. 

General Harrison C. Hob art, a distinguished lawyer 
and politician of Wisconsin, was born in this town, January 
31, 1815. He was a son of Peter and Keziah (Hobart) 
Hunt and at the solicitation of his maternal relatives he 
assumed the name of Hobart. In his youth he served an 
apprenticeship of three years in a printing-office at Haverhill, 
New Hampshire. Through his own efforts at his trade and 
in teaching school he pursued a liberal course of study grad- 
uating at Dartmouth College 1842. He studied law in the 
office of Hon. Robert Rantoul of Boston and emigrated to 
the Territory of Wisconsin in 1846. Mr. Hobart entered 
upon the practice of his profession in Sheboygan, His 
talents and sterling qualities commanded immediate recog- 
nition and on the year of his arrival he was chosen to the 
territorial legislature from Sheboygan and Washington 
counties. On the organization of the State government he 
was the first senator from his district. In this service he 
was appointed chairman of the Committee on Judiciary, a 
most important position, and many of the early statutes of 
the State were drafted b}^ him. The following year he was 
returned to the Assembly and was elected Speaker of the 
House. In the years immediately following he was twice 
nominated for Congress and commanded the full support of 
his political party which was in the minority in his district. 



502 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

In 1855 he removed to Chilton in Camulet county and from 
that district he was elected to the Assembly in 1859. The 
following year he was the standard bearer of the Democratic 
party in the gubernatorial contest. In this canvass the town 
of Ashburnham was exclusively and honorably represented, 
the Republican and successful candidate being Hon. Alex- 
ander W. Randall whose father was a native of this town. 

During these years, crowned with many and substantial 
honors, Mr. Hobart has been a successful lawyer and has 
been thoroughly identified with the prosperity of a vigorous 
State and the welfere of its public institutions. At the first 
call for troops in the Spring of 18 61 he closed his office and 
enlisted as a private. In the organization of the Fourth 
Wisconsin Regiment he was commissioned captain. Having 
been stationed several months near Washington, in March, 
1862, the regiment was ordered to New Orleans under com- 
mand of General Butler. In this campaign the regiment 
rendered gallant service. Captain Hobart, then at Baton 
Rouge, was promoted August 21, 1862, to lieutenant-colonel 
of the Twenty-first Wisconsin Regiment. Colonel Hobart 
joined his regiment in Kentucky in Octol^er. The colonel 
being absent on account of wounds, Colonel Hobart was in 
command of the regiment from the time of his arrival in 
Kentucky. At the battle of Stone River which ensued soon 
after, Colonel Hobart and his command received honorable 
mention in the report of General Rosseau. On the evening 
of the memorable battle at Chickamauga, General Thomas 
ordered a retreat ; in this movement, Colonel Hobart who 
had been holding a forward position was taken prisoner. 
With many other Union prisoners he was incarcerated in 
Libby prison. At the end of four months he Avith many 
others escaped through a tunnel which they had excavated 
under the street and a distance of sixty feet. He returned to 




\-^ ^ X^A-^.^^^ 



PERSONAL NOTICES. 503 

his regiment and participated in the siege of Atlanta, Georgia, 
and in the "March to the Sea." In the closing scenes of the 
war he was in command of a brigade. At the request of 
General Sherman and dating from the capture of Atlanta, he 
was bre vetted brigadier-general for meritorious service. On 
his return to civil life in 1865 General Hobart removed to 
Milwaukee and there renewed the practice of his profes- 
sion. In 1865 he was again a candidate for governor and 
was defeated by Hon, Lucius Fairchild on party issues. 
Two years later finds him again in the Assembly where his 
service was conspicuous. Through several succeeding years 
he was a member of the city council and in 1878 its 
president. 

His career has been brilliant and honorable. As a lawyer, 
an orator, a legislator and a soldier, he has won many laurels 
and has secured the confidence and respect of his fellow-men. 

Rev. Josiah Milton Stearns, son of Jesse and Lucinda 
(Davis) Stearns, was born in this town, June 17, 1818. He 
fitted for college at New Ipswich Academy and entered 
Amherst College in class of 1843 but graduated at Marshall 
College, Pennsylvania, in class of 1844. He studied theol- 
ogy at Cincinnati, Ohio, and was ordained over the Congre- 
gational church at Lunenburg, Vermont, June 6, 1849. 
From his first charge he was dismissed February o, 1852. 
After a brief pastorate at Brentwood, New Hampshire, he 
died in that town June 12, 1858. 

Rev. Danfokth Leandeu Eaton, son of Josiah and 
Mary (Reed) Eaton, was born, July 4, 1822. Entering 
Oberlin Colleo;e he o-raduated in regular course 1843 and 
remained in the theological department of that institution 
the ensuing two years. During a prolonged and active 
career he has been a successful preacher in Michigan. (All 
the places named in the following paragraphs are in that 



504 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

State.) He was ordained in the ministry at Farmers Creek, 
March 1, 1848, and the same year he was installed over the 
Congregational church in Oakland, where he remained until 
1856. Subsequently he labored four years at Howell and 
at Brighton. In 1860 he was installed over the Congrega- 
tional church in Lowell. From 1862 to 1866 he was 
engaged in lousiness but returned to the ministry and 
preached in several places in the vicinity and again in 
Lowell from 1874 to 1878. During the past eight years, 
with a home in Lowell, he has supplied in Ovid, Cannon and 
Cannonsburg. 

Mr. Eaton has been a faithful pastor and an acceptable 
preacher. He has ever maintained friendly and intimate 
relations with his charge, and with rare executive ability he 
has been eminently successful in building up the churches 
over which he has presided. 

Peter Thatcher Hunt, son of Peter and Hezekiah 
(Hobart) Hunt, was born in Ashburnham, September 9, 
1819. He graduated at Dartmouth College, 1847. He 
taught at Lexington and at Louisville, Kentucky, and was 
principal of the Glasgow Academy in the place last named. 
In the mean time he studied law and was admitted to prac- 
tice in Louisville. Removing to Iowa he entered upon a 
successful practice of his profession, but failing health led 
him to modify the matured plans of a life work. In quest 
of health he visited the Pacific coast where for several years 
he was familiar with a life among the mines and with Indian 
warfare. Later he removed to Washington Territory and 
was there engaged in teachino; and in stock-raising. During 
the war he was active and inlluential in the Union cause and 
a leading member of the Legislature. In 1872 he removed 
to Denver, Colorado, where he continues to reside and is a 
useful and influential citizen. 



PERSONAL NOTICES. 505 

Dr. Charles Edson Davis, son of Charles and Elvira 
(Buss) Davis, was born in this town. May 11, 1822. He 
entered Dartmouth College 1846, and remained th rough 
Freshman and Sophomore years. With impaired health he 
pursued his professional study with Dr. Harriman of Gard- 
ner and graduated at Dartmouth Medical School, 1852. He 
practised successfully in Greenwich, Hard wick and Ashby. 
He died in this town, June 8, 1863. 

Oliver Davis, son of Charles and Elvira (Buss) Davis, O 
was born in this town, August 7, 1823. He entered Dart- 
mouth College with his brother and graduated in class of 
1850. He studied medicine with Dr. Alfred Hitchcock of 
Fitchburg, and later he was a student at Harvard Medical 
School. On account of failing health he returned to his 
home a few weeks before the completion of the prescribed 
course of study. With ample preparation and ability for a 
life of usefulness, he died March 1, 1853. 

Rev. Walter Eice, son of Silas and Almira (Corey) 
Rice, was born in this town, December 25, 1836. He 
attended the public schools of his native town and of Ashby 
and in early life removed to Illinois. With a view to enter 
the ministry, he entered Beloit College, Wisconsin, where he 
graduated with honor in the class of 1862. He pursued the 
prescribed course of study at Newton Theological Institution 
and graduated 1865. In July of the same year he was 
ordained and installed over the church in West Acton. In 
1868, he became acting pastor of the church in South Royals- 
ton. Commencing in April, 1874, he was a student, in 
special course, at Andover Theological Seminary, and sub- 
sequently was pastor of the church in Lunenburg. Since 
May, 1880, Mr. Rice has been pastor of the church in 
Brandon, Vermont. He is in the midst of a successful 



606 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

career and every year is presenting the fruit which will 
attend the labor of a lifetime. 

Rev. Francis Joel Fairbanks, son of Emory and 
Eunice (Ha3^ward) Fairbanks, was born in this town, Sep- 
tember 8, 1835. During his preparatory studies he was a 
popular teacher in the public schools of this town, Lunen- 
burg and Gardner and one term in the High school at Ashb3^ 
He entered Amherst College the last term of Freshman year 
and graduated in class of 1862. He pursued a course of 
theological study at the Theological Seminary, Princeton, 
New Jersey, and Union Theological Seminary, New York 
city. Licensed to preach May, 1863, by the Worcester 
North Association. Having supplied at Westminster, 
Vermont, during vacations while at the seminary, he was 
installed over the church in that place August 31, 1864, and 
dismissed in May, 1871. From January 1, 1872, he was 
acting pastor two years of the church in Ayer and acting 
pastor of the church in Paxton from April 1, 1874, to Sep- 
tember 1, 1877. Since the last date he has been acting 
pastor of the Congregational church in West Boylston. 
]\Ir. Fairbanks is an earnest laborer in his profession. With 
the force of a vigorous mind and a fixed purpose he has 
commanded the attention and respect of his charge. His 
w^arm sympathies have sought their confidence and love, and 
in his daily life his public instruction is continually renewed. 
He has delivered a number of discourses on miscellaneous 
subjects and is the author of the History of Westminster, 
Vermont. 

Joseph Whitcomb Fairbanks, Ph. D., son of Emory 
and Eunice (Hayward) Fairbanks, was born in this town, 
March 26, 1841. He fitted for college at Williston Semi- 
nary, Easthampton, and graduated at Amherst College 1866. 
He was principal of the High School, South Hadley Falls, 



PERSONAL NOTICES. 507 

1866-8 ; of Centre School, Norwalk, Connecticut, 1868-74 ; 
of Dix Street Grammar School, Worcester, 1874-5 ; of 
Worcester High School, 1875-8 and of Williston Seminary, 
Easthampton, 1878-84. During the past two years he has 
been private tutor at St. Paul, Minnesota. Mr. Fairbanks 
is a person of strong and massive frame, genial in manner 
and of commanding presence. Endowed with rare executive 
ability, combined with liberal culture and ripe scholarship, 
he is a popular and efficient instructor. The labor of his life 
has been attended with an unusual measure of success. 

Melvix O. Adams, Esq., son of Joseph and Dolly Win- 
ship (Whitney) Adams, was born in Ashburnham, November 
7, 1847. He pursued his preparatory studies in this town 
and at New Ipswich Appleton Academy and graduated with 
honors at Dartmouth College in the able class of 1871. He 
was sub-master of the Fitchburg High School 1871-2, and 
read law with Hon. Edward Avery of Boston, and Hon. 
Amasa Norcross of Fitchburg. He received the degree of 
Bachelor of Laws from Boston University 1874, and the 
same year he was admitted to the Suffolk county bar. Until 
the year 1876 he continued a legal residence in this town and 
was moderator of the annual March meeting 1874, '75 and 
'76. Mindful of the partiality and appreciative regard of his 
townsmen, he has responded to many invitations for ad- 
dresses on miscellaneous subjects. 

In his professional labors in Boston since 1874, he has 
been successful and has won a merited reputation for character 
and abilit3^ Since 1876 he has been assistant district attor- 
ney for the district of Suffolk, and has pro])al)l3^ been 
engaged in the trial of a greater number of cases than has 
fallen to the lot of any lawyer of his age in the State. In 
habit of thought he is quick and vigorous. In attack or 
defence his resources are at instant command, and all his 



508 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

work is sustained by the weight of integrity and character. 
Mr. Adams is yet a young man, possessing ability and 
opportunity to complete a career which has been ably and 
firmly outlined. 

Dr. Ernest P. Miller, son of Dr. Alfred and Elsie L. 
(Kibling) Miller, was born in Ashburnham, January 4, 
1851. He attended the public schools of this town and of 
Fitchburg, and graduated at Harvard University 1872, and 
at Harvard Medical School 1877. He immediately entered 
upon the practice of his profession in Fitchburg, and has 
been successfully employed. Since 1877, he has been 
Medical Examiner; in 1878 and 1883 he was elected City 
Physician and since 1884 he has been a member of the Board 
of Examining Surgeons for Pensions. 

Frederic D. Lane, son of Samuel and Nancy H. 
(Eaton) Lane, was born in this town, July 4, 1849. He 
attended the public schools of Ashburnham and Appleton 
Academy at New Ipswich and graduated at Dartmouth Col- 
lege in class of 1878. He taught one year in the public 
schools of Ashby and this town and since December, 1879, 
he has been an instructor of mathematics and German in 
Cushing Academy. 

Francis W. Lane, son of Allen F. and Laura (Tyler) 
Lane, was born in this town, October 24, 1858. He pur- 
sued his studies in the public schools of his native town and 
at Cushing Academy, and graduated at Dartmouth College 
1881. He has taught in Yonkers, New York, and in Wash- 
ington, D. C. At the present time he is examiner of pen- 
sions in the Department of the Interior. 

Dr. Henry E. Cushing, son of Benjamin and Lois 
(Holbrook) Cushing, was born in this town, November 30, 
1853. Pursued his preparatory studies at Westfield High 
School and graduated at Dartmouth College 1882. He 



PERSONAL NOTICES. 509 

received his degree from the Chicago Medical College in 
March, 1884, where he had pursued a prescribed course of 
study. In April following he removed to Champion, Illi- 
nois, and is junior member of the firm of Howard & Cush- 
ing, physicians and surgeons. 

Walter Herbert Marble, son of Warren and Mary 
L. (Wilker) Marble, was born in this town, September 13, 
1858. He was a student in the public schools of this town 
and at Cushing Academy. He graduated at Dartmouth 
College in class of 1883. At present he is a student at the 
Chicago Medical College, where he will graduate in March, 
1886. 

In addition to the college graduates a considerable number 
from this town have been admitted to the learned professions. 
Some of them have been distinguished in their calling and 
none have failed to honor the town from whence they came 
and in which the early habits of life were formed. 

Rev. Stephen Randall, son of Stephen and Sarah 
(Fairbanks) Randall, was born in Stow, January 20, 1763. 
He was the eldest of ten children, seven of whom were born 
before the family removed to this town in 1780. He was 
married and resided in this town until about 1808. In 1795 
he was dismissed at his request from the Congregational 
church in order that he might unite with the Methodists. 
He was a preacher in that denomination several years. He 
died in Sweden, New York, April 16, 1828. 

Rev. Samuel Harris, son of Deacon Jacob and Eliza- 
beth (Winchester) Harris, and a grandson of Rev. .Jonathan 
Winchester, was born in this town, August 18, 1774. He 
read theology with Rev. Dr. Seth Payson of Rindge, and 
with Rev. Samuel Worcester of Fitchburg, and Avas licensed 
to preach 1803. After preaching a short time at Alstead 
and New Boston, New Hampshir-e, he was ordained and 



^ 



510 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

installed over the Congregational church in Windham, New 
Hampshire, October 9, 1805. In consequence of loss of 
voice, he was dismissed at his request in December, 1826. 
In 1830 and 1831 he preached in Dublin, New Hampshire, 
but his voice again failed and he returned to Windham, 
where he died September 5, 1848. He was a faithful pastor 
and a useful man, and was held in high esteem by all who 
knew him. 

Rev. Elijah Willard, son of Deacon John and Sarah 
(Willard) Willard, was born in this town, April 19, 1782. 
At nineteen years of age he entered the Methodist ministry 
and was then received into the New England Conference. 
For several years he was assigned to stations in New Hamp- 
shire, Vermont and Canada. Subsequently, he filled several 
pastorates in this State, but for many years he was retained 
in the Conference in superannuated relation. He was an 
attentive student of the Scriptures and eminently biblical in 
the matter and the language of his public instruction. It is 
the unanimous testimony of all who knew him, that he was a 
sincere, earnest preacher and a most worthy and exemplary 
man. He died at Saugus, September 5, 1852. 

Dr. Abel Wilder, son of Samuel and Dorothy (Carter) 
.-VV Wilder, was born in this town, June 24, 1786. He was a 
man of marked ability, and for many years a distinguished 
citizen and eminent physician of Blackstone, where he was 
engaged in active practice from 1823 to 1864. A few weeks 
before his death he removed to New York where he died 
1864. 

Simeon Sanderson, Esq., son of Moses and Mary 
Proctor Sanderson, was born, September 24, 1790. After 
attending the public schools of this town and several terms 
at the academies in this vicinity, he read law with Mr. 
Dustan of Westminster, and entered upon the practice of 



PERSONAL NOTICES. 511 

his profession in that place. He was laborious in his habits, 
attentive to the interests of his clients, and many important 
cases were entrusted to his care. He died December 3, 
1841. 

Dr. Charles Woodward Wilder, son of Caleb and 
Elizabeth (Woodward) Wilder, and a grandson of Colonel 
Caleb Wilder of Lancaster, was born in this town, December 
30, 1790. He graduated at Dartmouth Medical School in 
class of 1817, and successfully practised his profession many 
years in Templeton. About 1845 he removed to Fitchburg. 
He ably forwarded the construction of the Fitchburg and 
Worcester railroad and became the first president of the cor- 
poration. In this position he was succeeded by Colonel 
Ivers Phillips, also a native of Ashburnham. Dr. Wilder 
subsequently removed to Leominster where he died February 
12, 1851. He was a skilful physician and an influential 
citizen. He was frequently elected to positions of trust and 
represented the town of Leominster in the Legislature. 

Rev. Calvin Cummings, son of Abraham and Mary 
(Bourne) Cummings, was born in this town, October 10, 
1792. The family removed to Ashburnham from Attle- 
borough a year or two previous to this date. Without doubt 
he enjoyed the limited school privileges of the community in 
which he lived and no information of an advanced course of 
study has been secured. His home was in the north part of 
the town and near the families of the early Methodists. He 
became identified with them at an early age. About 1820, 
he was licensed to preach, and since that date he did not 
permanently reside in this town. It is currently stated that 
he became a presiding elder and continued in the ministry 
many years, but a record of his labors has not been found. 
He died near Boston about 1855. 



m1 



o 



512 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Rev. Humphrey Harris, son of William and Betsey 
Harris, was born in Concord, March 28, 1795. The family 
removed to this town before the close of the past century. 
With few educational advantages he began to preach 
Methodism about 1828, and the following year he was 
admitted to the New England Conference and stationed one 
year at Gill. At the close of this appointment he joined 
the Wesleyan Conference and preached a few years in 
Vermont and one year in Rhode Island. About 1835 he 
returned to this town where he was a farmer and occasion- 
ally a preacher until his death. Subsequently he removed 
to Winchendon and soon after was killed by a falling tree in 
1847. 

Rev. William Whitney, son of William and Lucy 
(Brooks) Whitney, was born in Ashburnham, July 22, 
1809. He attended the public schools of this town and the 
academy in South Reading. At the age of twenty-one 
years he travelled by stage, canal and steamboat to the 
West. At that time it required six weeks to reach the 
western part of Illinois. He continued his studies at Rock- 
spring Seminary, now the Shurtleif College, of Alton, 
Illinois ; and at Granville Seminary, now Denison University, 
and at Oberlin, Ohio. He was licensed to preach in 1833, 
but soon entered upon a continued and useful career as a 
teacher. He was an instructor four years in Granville, six 
in Lancaster and eleven in other places in Ohio. In 1865, 
Mr. Whitney was appointed financial agent of Denison 
University and in 1870 treasurer of the Baptist Educational 
♦ Society. He has been an officer in several other religious 
and educational organizations, and in each position, to which 
he has been summoned, he has been efficient and faithful in 
the discharge of duty. He resides at Granville, Ohio. 



PERSONAL NOTICES. 513 

Rev. Stephen Gushing, son of Stephen and Eliza (Good- 
ale) Gushing, Avas born in Boston, March 13, 1813. In the 
spring of 1830 he removed with the family to this town and 
resided here until active labor in the ministry influenced a 
residence in other places. He was a student at the AVesleyan 
Academy at Wilbraham nearly three years and subsequently 
he pursued a partial course of study at the Wesleyan Uni- 
versity at Middletown, Gonnecticut. He was received in the 
New England Gonference of the Methodist Episcopal Ghurch 
in June, 1833, and for the ensuing twenty-four years he 
completed with ability and faithfulness various pastoral 
charges. Answering the demands of impaired health he 
rested a year, and from 1858 to 1880 he supplied the pulpit 
in many churches. His pastorates include Marlboro', 
Winchendon, Princeton, Hubbardston, Southbridge, East 
Gambridge, Newburyport, Ipswich, L^am, Wilbraham, 
Dorchester, Holliston, Nahant, Stoneham, Maplewood, 
Reading and Needham in this State, and Eastford and Staf- 
ford in Gonnecticut. 

Mr. Gushing has made several valuable contributions to 
the general and local history of Methodism in this country. 
He preached the semi-centennial discourse in this town which 
is mentioned in another chapter, and in 1883 at the annual 
session of the Gonference in Boston he delivered an address 
reviewing the progress of the church during the half century 
since his admission to the ministry. For many years he has 
eflSiciently served the Gonference as secretary and trustee 
and since 1881 he has been its treasurer. In these varied 
and responsible employments he has enjoyed the merited 
approbation of his associates. ^ 

Rev. Andrew Jaquith, son of Benjamin and Rebecca 

(Spaulding) Jaquith, was born in Ashby, March 7, 1816. 

He resided several years in the north part of this town. He 
33 



514 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

attended the Oneida Institute three years beginning in 1832, 
and several years subsequently he pursued a course of theo- 
logical study and was ordained and installed over the Congre- 
gational church in Langdon, New Hampshire, in 1860. He 
was devoted to the duties and labors of his profession and 
was held in high esteem by his parish. He died August 27, 
1864. 

Dr. George Washington Scollay, son of Grover and 
Sally (Stowell) Scollay, was born in this town, April 13, 
1819. In the spring of 1839 he went to St. Louis, Missouri, 
and in the autumn of that year he entered an institution of 
learning in Hillsboro', Illinois, where he remained two years 
and subsequently he pursued the prescribed course of study 
in the Medical Department of Kemper College, St. Louis, 
and graduated 1843. The succeeding ten years he was 
engaged in the practice of his profession in Shelby ville, 
Illinois, and for the past twenty-five years he has resided in 
Washington, D. C, and the city of New York. 

Rev. Ari Raymond, son of Daniel and Sally (Green) 
Raymond, was born in Ashby, May 7, 1820, but removed 
to this town in infancy. He prepared for the ministry 
and has preached and resided at Oro, Bell Ewart and other 
places in Canada. 

Dr. Ariel Ivers Cummings, son of Ariel and Malison 
(Currier) Cummings, was born in this town, June 11, 1823. 
He pursued the study of medicine at Dartmouth Medical 
College and graduated at the University of the city of New 
York, 1851. After a brief practice in Acworth, New Hamp- 
shire, Dr. Cummings removed to Roxbury where he con- 
tinued in active and successful practice until 1862. In the 
mean time he was a member of the school committee and 
occupied other positions of trust. Having made a study of 
law in the ofiice of Hon. William Gaston, he received the 



PERSONAL NOTICES. 515 

degree of Doctor of Laws from Harvard University 1858, 
but he adhered to the practice of his chosen profession. The 
same year Dartmouth College conferred the honorary degree 
of Master of Arts. 

In the summer of 1862 Dr. Cummins-s was amono- the 
volunteer surgeons who went to the relief of the army under 
General McCIellan. Later he was sent from Fortress Monroe 
to Portsmouth Grove, Rhode Island, with two ship loads of 
sick and wounded soldiers. From this service he was sum- 
moned to Boston to fill the appointment of surgeon of the 
Forty-second Regiment. This regiment left Camp Meigs 
November 21, 1862, and on the second of December three 
companies with Colonel Isaac S. Burrill, Surgeon Cummings 
and other ofiicers embarked on a transport for New Orleans, 
where they arrived on the sixteenth. Before the arrival of 
the remaining companies of the regiment, Colonel Burrill and 
his small command was ordered to the support of Galveston 
and there after a gallant defence, which forms a thrilling 
incident of the war, the command became prisoners of war. 
Dr. Cummings was confined within the rebel lines but was 
allowed to attend his fellow prisoners and to visit the sick 
among the residents of the surrounding country. He died 
at Hempstead, Texas, September 9, 1863. 

Professor Levi W. Russell, son of Ward and Mary 
A. (Russell) Russell, was born in this town, February 15, 
1831. His early education was obtained in the public 
schools of his native town, of which he was subsequently a 
popular teacher in several districts. He continued his ad- 
vanced studies at the Applcton Academy in New Ipswich, 
and was later under the able tuition of Prof. William Rus- 
sell, in his excellent schools at Reed's Ferry, New Hamp- 
shire, and at Lancaster. For more than twenty-five years 
Mr. Russell has been an eflicient instructor. His first 



c> 



,t>' 



516 HISTOKY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

continuous field in the callino: of his choice was in the Hi<>:h 
Street Grammar School of Fitchburg, where he labored 
seven years. After a successful management of the Central 
Grammar School of Watertown, early in 1869 he became 
jDrincipal of the Bridgman School of Providence, Rhode 
Island. During his able management, this school has 
graduated over one thousand pupils and every year has con- 
tributed to the popularity and reputation of his administra- 
tion. In addition to his uninterrupted employment as an 
instructor, Mr. Russell has delivered many addresses at 
teachers' institutes and at other educational assemblies. 

Dr. Leonard Woods, son of Samuel and Mary (Cald- 
c- well) Woods, was born in Ashburnham, July 5, 1840. 
o"^ Graduated at Harvard Medical School 1868, and practised 
at Maiden until 1873, when he removed to Pittsford, Ver- 
mont, where he died December 11, 1885. A man of 
unblemished character and fair abilities, he won the merited 
confidence and esteem of the community in which he lived 
and labored. 

Dr. Emily Metcalf, a daughter of Joel F. and Martha 
O Q^ (Davis) Metcalf, was born in Ashburnham, May 25, 1841. 
f ^ r o Miss Metcalf pursued a full course of professional study and 
graduated at the Boston University School of Medicine in 
1877. In the same year she removed to Waltham where 
she early secured a large and lucrative practice. For several 
years, in addition to professional labor in Waltham, Dr. 
Metcalf was a member of the Faculty of Lasell Seminary 
at Auburndale. While holding this position, which was 
interrupted by an increasing business at home, she visited 
the school almost daily and delivered frequent lectures upon 
subjects allied to her profession. In practice Dr. Metcalf 
has adhered to the theories of the Eclectic School of Medi- 
cine. She has been eminently successful and has commanded 
the respect and confidence of her patrons. 



\/ 



PERSONAL NOTICES. 517 

Dr. Charles H. Eice, son of Silas and Almira (Corey) 
Rice, was born in Ashburnham, Februaiy 19, 1843. In his 
childhood the family removed to Ashby. He attended the 
public schools of that town and subsequently graduated at 
Appleton xlcademy. New Ipswich, 1863. Dr. Kice studied 
medicine with Dr. Emerson of Ashby and graduated at 
Dartmouth Medical College 1865, and at "Harvard Medical 
School 1866. He immediately located in Fitchburg where 
he continues in an active and successful practice of his pro- 
fession. 

Dr. Charles A. Bemis, son of Albert T. and Sarah ^ 
(Hastings) Bemis, was born in this town, September 22, 1843. 
He was educated in the public schools of Ashburnham and 
pursued the prescribed course of professional study, gradu- 
ating at Jefferson Medical College 1872. He practised in 
Spencer two years and removed to Medway in 1874, where 
he remains in active and successful practice. Dr. Bemis is 
vice-president of the Thurbur Medical Association composed 
of the resident allopathic physicians in that vicinity and is 
examining surgeon for pensions. For several years he has 
been a member of the school committee of Medway and an 
efficient member of the Board of Health. 



^ 



CHAPTER XXI. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

PAUPERISM. TITIIINGMEN. TOWN HOUSE. UNION HALL. POST OFFICES. 

LIBRARIES. FIRST NATIONAL BANK. SAVINGS BANK. FARMERS' CLUB. 

POUNDS. — BOUNTIES ON WILD ANIMALS. THIEF DETECTING SOCIETY. 

BRASS BAND. POWDER HOUSE. POPULATION. 

Pauperism. — Very meagre, and in some instances no 
reference to the public support of the poor can be found in 
the early history of the towns in this vicinity. Aged and 
infirm people were not invited to the settlements and seldom 
removed from the older towns unless attended by children 
who were able to provide for them a comfortable support. 
Only the industrious husbandman, the mechanic or the man 
of business was welcomed among the sturdy toilers of a new 
settlement. If any came presenting doubtful credentials in 
regard to self-support, he was summarily warned out and 
sometimes attended by the constable to the place from 
whence he came, or to the town in which he had previously 
gained a legal settlement. The feeble-minded were often 
suffered to wander from door to door, olitaining food from 
the open hand of charity, savored with words of kindness 
and sympathy. The attentive care of the poor by the 
neighborhood prevented not a few from becoming a public 
charge, which accounts, in a measure, for the meagre refer- 
ences to this subject in the early records. 

518 



MISCELLANEOUS. 519 

If there is manliness in a measure of selfishness which 
leads one to cherish and protect his own, there is something 
higher and nobler in a thoughtful charity that lends a helping 
hand to want and suffering. In all their relations to one 
another our fathers have left a living example of neighborly 
kindness and liberal charity. The misfortunes of accident, 
damage by fire or the loss of domestic animals, were followed 
by substantial expressions of sympathy. Not infrequently 
these friendly oflerings were made by those who were more 
impoverished by a single act of charity than had been the 
recipient by the loss which had suggested the generous 
measure of reparation. If a farmer was sick at seed-time, 
his fields were planted and the labor of the season was 
performed by the cheerful hand of attentive neighbors. If 
he recovered from sickness at the close of harvest, he found 
his crop secured and his granaries rejoicing in the gathered 
product of his farm. In every misfortune, in every bereave- 
ment, in every time of need, with eyes suffused with the 
dews of thankfulness, he could behold the thoughtful deeds 
of a charitable neighl)orhood. 

In extreme cases of poverty, the officers of the town for 
many years met each application for public support in a 
temporary and individual manner. The methods adopted 
were as numerous as the needy individuals. Sometimes the 
selectmen provided a cow for the family, sometimes firewood 
and a stipulated amount of provision. Sometimes the abate- 
ment of taxes or the payment of house rent was deemed 
sufficient, but always there was extended an invitation to the 
needy to do something for themselves. These customs and 
methods lead to the conclusion, which is verified by the facts, 
that the first permanent paup(!rs were those who had grown 
old or infirm in the town upon which they had become 
dependent. 



520 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

If the early inhabitants of this town frowned on hiziness 
and prodigal husbandry, if to charity they added a sermon 
on industry and self-reliance, there is no evidence or tradition 
that they closed " their hand to their brother, to their poor 
and to their needy in the land." The present system of 
public charities, fostered by the Commonwealth, has sprung 
from their humble yet faithful attention to the wants of the 
poor. Many times, unrestrained by law, they exhibited 
more wisdom and humanity than can now be done under a 
complicated code of laws that restrains in rigid lines and 
clothes in the uniform of a system every form of procedure. 

The first record of any public charity in the town of 
Ashburnham occurred in 1778 : "To see if the town will do 
any thing for Timothy Johnson's wife, who is in needy 
curcumstances." "Voted to help Timothy Johnson's wife 
so that she may be comfortable." The husband was in the 
army and the wife with three children, the eldest not five 
years of age, was entitled to receive aid with a mutual feel- 
ing that the town remained the debtor. 

About the same date the selectmen were instructed " to 
supply Josiah Dodge with fire wood as they think proper," 
and in 1786 the town granted " 8 cords of wood and 4 bushels 
of Corn and Rie to be given to the widow Ruth Conant 
annually." She was the aged widow of Eljenezei" Conant, 
who died October 24, 1784. In 1792 the town " voted to 
pay for the cow that was bought for Daniel Clark's use," 
and in the same kine spirit the town refused to reconsider 
this generous action when it was proposed at a subsequent 
meeting. In one final and comprehensive manner the town 
disposed of the next case that arose : " Voted to vendue the 
negro boy, brought to the selectmen for the town to main- 
tain, to some suitable man, the lowest bidder, and to give 
him for maintaining said boy one seventh part of the sum 



MISCELLANEOUS. 521 

yearly untill the whole is paid ; said boy was struck off to 
Mr. Jno. Trask at twenty-four pounds: — Voted also that 
the selectmen should bind said boy to said Trask to serve 
him untill he arrives to the age of 21 years." 

The widow of Andrew Windrow, or Winter, as the name 
was written in later years, was occasionally assisted at her 
home for several years. Later the town provided support 
for her in the family of a neighbor where she died March 
14, 1814, aged ninety-one years. The town also provided 
board for the eldest daughter of Dr. Peter Brooks in the 
fomily of her brother for many years, and assumed the con- 
trol and support of the younger children of Daniel Clark 
during their childhood. 

In the considerate care of others, whose names we need 
not mention, the town gradually adopted a system of either 
providing a home for the unfortunate with their kindred and 
friends or in cases where this course was impossible, of con- 
tracting their support to the lowest bidder. Upon the 
vendue list for many years appears the name of Ann Hill, a 
colored woman, who died November 5, 1821, aged seventy- 
six years. This person was generally called Black Ann. It 
is tradition that she was once a slave and that she came to 
this town with the family of Rev. Jonathan Winchester. If 
a slave at that time, she was soon manumitted. 

For many years a man Franklin and wife Susan resided 
here and in their old age were supported by the town. It is 
also asserted that they were brought to this town as slaves. 
On this point tradition needs support. It is easier to infer 
that the negroes in the early settlements were slaves than it 
is to establish the fact. 

The traditions of this town are not agreed either upon the 
condition of these people or, if slaves, to whom they 
belonged. In fact, the most careful inquiry generally has 



522 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

been met by the honest answer, "I do not know." The 
opinion of the majority has been respected. It is not cer- 
tain tliat there ever w^as a skive within the town of Ash- 
burn ham. 

Commencino- with 1821 and continuino- until the town 
purchased a farm and established an ahnshouse, the support 
of all the poor was awarded to the lowest bidden. In these 
contracts, sometimes for one year and sometimes for a lonscer 
period, it was stipulated that the contractor "should board, 
lod2:e, clothe, doctor and nurse them in a comfortable manner 
and that the children should attend school in the district 
where they were supported." In the records, the person who 
contracted or undertook to support the poor w^as invariabl}^ 
styled the "undertaker." Such employment of an under- 
taker for the poor was innocent and proper, but some other 
term would have been less suggestive. 

The purchase of a fjirm was under consideration several 
3'ears. Committees were frequently appointed and conflict- 
ing recommendations followed in rapid succession. A report 
made in 1832 is the most noticeable of any on the subject : 

The Committee, ap[)ointed to take into consideratiou the best 
method of supporting the Poor, have attended to that subject and 
Ibeg leave to report : As we shall always have the poor with us it 
is our duly in the cause of supporthig that ill-fated class to adopt 
that method which will at the same time conduce to their comfort 
and make oui' burden lighter. In accordance with these views we 
have inquired of towns which have in former years let them out 
separately or the whole to one individual ; in this mode of 
supporting their poor the}' found their bill of expense to increase 
yearly ; in consequence of which they purchased a farm and their 
expenses are now one-third less and the poor better supported 
and much happier. We therefore recommend that after the 
expiration of the time for which Mr. Woods took them, to 



MISCELLANEOUS. 523 

purchase a farm and hire a suitable man with a wife to take the 
oversight of tlie poor and carry on the farm, which we beg 
leave respectfully to submit. 

NATHANIEL PIERCE, 
SILAS WILLARD, 
EBENEZER P^ROST, 
JOSEPH JEWETT, 
ASAHEL COREY. 

The subject continued to be debated with various degrees 
of interest until March, 1839. At this time Ohio Whitney, 
Joseph F. Burges and Elias Lane were chosen "to buy a 
farm for the use of the Poor." Without dehiy in 1839 they 
purchased the farm which is still owned and occupied by the 
town. Here many have found a temporary home in an hour 
of adversity and others, less fortunate, have here passed the 
remnant of their earthly career. Under the direction of a 
l)oard of Overseers of the Poor the management of the insti- 
tution has tendered a comfortable support to the homeless 
and the general system for the maintenance of the poor 
during these years has afforded temporary assistance to 
others who were not removed to the almshouse. The annual 
expense attending the farm with an average of ten inmates 
for the past ten years has been $1067.71 and the average 
annual expense incurred in temporary relief to families and 
individuals, not at the almshouse, has been $713.65. 

TiTHiNGMEN were annually chosen from the organization 
of the town until within the memory of many now living. 
The manners and customs of the times are reflected in these 
proceedings. The qualification of atithingman was a solemn 
presence and great acerbity of countenance. Only the most 
sedate and dignified were considered eligible to the office. 
It was a position of honor and this officer, armed with the 
tithing pole, commanded the respect even if he failed to win 



524 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

the admiration of his townsmen. In character and ability 
Tristram Cheney and John Kiblinger, the first tithingmen of 
Ashburnham, had no superiors in the town. If in the light 
of the law these officers were slightly inferior to a constable, 
both in the care exercised in their selection and in the con- 
sideration shown them, they were among the dignitaries of 
the town. They were a sort of ecclesiastical police who 
were enjoined by law and by custom to secure a proper 
observance of the Sabbath and to restrain the youth from 
frivolous conduct during the services and the intermission. 

With the refining influences and a higher standard of 
personal deportment that attended the progress of years the 
duties of the tithingmen were less exacting and they were 
accredited with a depreciated measure of importance and 
respect. Early in the present century the standard of quali- 
fication was not always maintained. The increasing amount 
of travel and teaming through this town was prompt to take 
advantage of a waning sentiment on the subject, until open 
violation of the Sabbath laws was of frequent occurrence. 
In 1814, for the purpose of creating a more exacting public 
sentiment, several conventions, numerously attended by the 
clergy and laity, were held in Rindge, Phillipston and other 
towns in this vicinity. The effect of this discussion was 
immediate and quite extended. In the autumn of the same 
year and immediately following the convention at Phillips- 
ton the town of Ashburnham "chose Joshua Smith, Esq., 
William J. Lawrence, Captain Silas Willard, Captain John 
Willard, Captain Moses Lawrence, Thomas Hobart and John 
Caldwell a committee to ade and assist the tythingmen and 
other officers in putting the LaAvs respecting the Lords Day 
in force." 

Thus reenforced and encouraged by an awakened public 
sentiment the officers arrested many persons who were 



MISCELLANEOUS. 595 

violating the law, and detained them until ]\Ionday morning. 
The following year the town chose nine tithingmen and 
several towns in this vicinity made choice of an equal or even 
a greater number. Previous to this date only two had been 
elected in any one year. In public sentiment a reaction soon 
followed. The next year the town was satisfied with the 
election of the conventional number. In 1827 only one was 
chosen, while in 1829 there was a complacent vote "not to 
choose tythingmen" and the following year, with a cumu- 
lative purpose, it was voted "not to have any tythingmen 
this 3"ear." Again in 1831 and each year until 1836 these 
officers were chosen in accordance with the laws of the 
State, but there is no record durino; the later years that the 
office was generally accepted or the oath administered. 

Stocks, for the temporary confinement of any who defied 
at once the commands of the constable and the solemn pro- 
prieties of the Sabbath, were built in this town at an early 
date. As the records contain no reference to them, it is 
probable they were constructed by voluntary efibrt. Sixty 
years ago, with their rusty lock and aged visage, these relics 
of a former generation were to be seen in the hearse house 
on the old common. 

The Towx House is a substantial building of modest 
pretensions. It continues to meet the requirements of the 
town in a reasonable manner and probably it will answer the 
demands of another generation without any unusual expense 
or the provocation of any serious expression of discontent. 
In its history it vividly reflects both the religion and the 
passions of a former generation. Originally built and occu- 
pied as a house of worship it is an agreeable duty to surround 
its existence on the old common with the memories of the 
pastorate of ]Mr. Gushing and an era of peaceful and profit- 
able occupancy. With the organization of the first parish 



526 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

and the loss of the counsels of an able and faithful minister, 
the trouble between the new parish and the town, concerning 
their respective property rights in the old meeting-house, 
immediately began. Strife is never so contagious nor con- 
tention so speedily fimned into flame, as wdien war is waged 
between an ecclesiastical and a secular oro;anization. The 
conditions suggested a conflict and the invitation was openly 
accepted. True, the members of the parish were also 
citizens of the town and in this dual character were contend- 
ing with themselves, but this brought the parties into closer 
contact and provoked a more animated conflict. 

Having completed their new house of worship, the first 
parish in 183G, abandoned the old meeting-house on the hill. 
The town, alleging control of the building, at once began to 
debate the expediency of removing it to the village and con- 
verting it into a town house. The parish, continuing to 
assert a property right in it, stoutly resisted and holding the 
key to the building, and practically the key to the situation, 
rallied at each town meeting and successfully opposed any 
encroachment upon their real or assumed rights in the 
premises. The town called many meetings to determine 
what was expedient to be done, and as many times the mem- 
bers of the parish, reenforced by a few in full sympathy with 
them, secured a vote that it was decidedly expedient not to 
do anything. 

In the mean time the parish turned a cold shoulder to the 
town by the removal of the stove from the old to the new 
meeting-house and, consequently, in cold weather town 
meetings were assembled in the school-house in the first 
district and in the churches in the village. After a pro- 
longed contention, the issues involved were happily com- 
promised in December, 1837, by the adoption on the same 
day by the town and by the parish of concurrent votes, " that 



MISCELLANEOUS. 527 

the parish would relinquish their right in the old meeting- 
house, provided the town will indemnify the parish from all 
claims from the pew-holders." 

The town, having secured the full possession of the build- 
ing, immediately took home the bone of contention and, 
having declared a peace with the parish, was free to institute 
an internal strife among themselves over its location. 

At an early day a committee of five, to wdiom the subject 
had been referred, presented a written report offering the 
town a choice of five locations ; two being near the school- 
house in the first district, two near the armory and one west 
of the Catholic church. Consistent with its former record, 
the town finally decided that it was not satisfied with any of 
the sites proposed. Another meeting was immediately 
called, at which ten other persons were joined to the exist- 
ing committee of five. The united wisdom of the revised 
committee was reflected in three reports ; eight in favor of a 
lot on land of Charles Hastings, Jr., and substantially the 
site finally selected ; four recommended a site on land of 
Samuel Barrett, near and probably west of the Armory, and 
the remaining three desired the town to select a lot on land 
of William J. Lawrence, near the store of Parker Brothers. 

The situation was critical. Through many straits the 
town gained possession of the old meeting-house and the 
question of its removal and location was not easily decided. 
The accumulatinoj recommendations of the committee now 
presented a choice of seven lots on which a ballot was taken, 
" and the spot offered by Mr. Barrett having the highest 
number of votes was decided to be the spot on which to 
build." Consistent with its previous record on this subject, 
and Avithout an adjournment, the town inmiediatelj^ pro- 
ceeded to reconsider this vote and then decided to locate the 
building on land of Charles Hastings, Jr. The records 
briefly narrate these decisive proceedings : 



528 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. . 

Sixty-two voted in favor of said spot and it was declared to be 
a vote. Mr. Hastings proposes to sell his spot for $200 ; the 
town house to stand 30 feet west of the west end of his house, the 
front to range with the front of the Methodist Meeting House and 
the front window in the west end of his house, to be sufficient land 
to set the house upon with ten feet of land all round the house to 
lie as commons land. 

Voted that the building committee be authorized to take a deed 
of Mrs. Charles Hastings and make payment of the same. 

Voted that the building committee be instructed to let out the 
town house iu two separate lots ; one of the wood and one of the 
stone work. 

Voted that the committee be instructed to build the town house 
of the present size of the old meeting house. 

At a meeting held the following month, January, 1838, 
with the customary honors of war, the toAvn fired a parting 
salute at the receding question in an additional vote : " that 
the committee for building a town house be authorized to 
build the same on either part of the lot purchased of Charles 
Hastings, Jr." 

These contested preliminaries being ended, the voice of 
discord is succeeded by the less strident noise of the saw and 
the more conclusive arguments of the hammer. The old 
meeting-house is dismembered, the odor of sanctity is 
brushed from its timbers and in a new place it again assumes 
its old form but not its original character. The ancient 
edifice with its porches, its square, pen-like pews, its lofty 
pulpit and sounding-board was no more. 

The town house was a new structure erected from the 
material of the old but retaining none of its sacred memories 
and hallowed associations. Degraded from the sacred uses 
to which it had been solemnly dedicated, a spirit of discord 
and contending passions continued to hover around it. Con- 
tention arose with John Hastings who l)uilt the basement. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 529 

and again with Artemas Maynard who erected the fence on 
a contract with the town. Legal proceedings were insti- 
tuted and the disputes ' were transferred from their familiar 
locality to the courts. 

In due course of time the law-suits were adjusted and 
every one concerned was invited to the reflection that the 
general affairs of the town house had been quite thoroughly 
debated and permanently settled. Only one item of business 
remained and to that outstanding question the attention of 
the town was promptly directed, whereupon it was "voted 
that the selectmen take charge of the key to the town 
house." 

Union Hall. — This building in the South Village was 
built in 1860 and the cost was met by voluntary subscrip- 
tions and the proceeds of several public entertainments. 
Commencing with January, 1860, several meetings were 
held which made known a strong public sentiment in favor 
of the erection of such a building for the convenience of 
that portion of the town. Under the favorable auspices of 
unanimity, the preliminary arrangements were quickly 
matured. John M. Pratt, Jonathan H. Piper and James L. 
Worcester were chosen trustees, and, subsequently, Reuben 
Puffer was chosen to succeed Mr. Worcester. With this 
exception, the board of trust remains unchanged to the 
present time. The store recently finished is rented, but the 
remainder of the building is reserved for the use of the 
community and affords convenient accommodation for social 
and religious meetings. 

Post Offices. — In the early administration of the postal 
system of the United States, post offices were located at 
accessible points and on the lines of established mail-routes 
without much regard to the centre of population. Fre- 
quently, small villages were granted postal facilities at the 

34 



530 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

expense of more populous communities less fortunately 
situated. In 1811 the first post office was established in 
this town. At that date there were ^403 post offices in the 
whole country and mails were transported in coaches, in 
sulkies and on horseback about one hundred thousand miles. 
These figures are exceedingly small when brought into com- 
parison with the statistics of the present time, but they con- 
stitute a part of the record of the expansion and develop- 
ment of the United States and the multiplied operations of 
all the departments of Government. 

A post office had been established several years previously 
in Westminster, and from that office were received the 
weekly papers and the few letters which were sent through 
the mails. Joseph Jewett was the first postmaster in this 
town, his appointment being dated January 23, 1811. The 
office was accommodated in the store, long known as the 
Jewett store, a building now owned and occupied by Charles 
Hastings. The next postmaster was Samuel Woods w^ho 
was appointed May 22, 1826, and he was succeeded by Dr. 
Q Otis Abercrombie, November 5, 1827. Mr. Woods was 

also a merchant in the same store and Dr. Abercrombie lived 
near by, and the office during their service was not removed. 
Dr. Abercrombie was not long a resident of this town and 
his official career was still more limited. Within a few 
weeks, December 19, 1827, Samuel Barrett was appointed 
and the office for the first time was removed. This appoint- 
ment was made for political reasons, but he made an excel- 
lent officer and was continued in the position many years. 
Mr. Barrett for a time had the office in the Deacon Lawrence 
house, more recently occupied by the late Ivers White and, 
subsequently, removed it to a building which stood many 
years at the head of Central street, a few yards west of the 
residence of Mrs. J. W. Foster. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 531 

The next postmaster was Ivers White who was appointed 
June 19, 1851 ; he was succeeded on political considerations, 
June 1, 1853, by Israel W. Knight, who removed the office 
into the hotel. In these quarters it did not long remain. 

December 15, following, Samuel V. Whitney was ap- 
pointed his successor, who removed the office to a store 
on the site of the residence of George C. Winchester. 
Soon after the present post office was built and Mr. Whitney 
was the iSrst postmaster in the building where the office, 
through several appointments, has remained to the present 
time. 

The next postmaster was Charles Winchester whose com- 
mission was dated July 7, 1856. He was succeeded, March 
21, 1861, as an inspiration of political sagacity, by George 
C. Winchester, who held the position over fifteen years. 
Mrs. Ermina L. Evans was appointed August 7, 1876, and 
Elliot A. Maynard, the present incumbent, was commissioned 
January 2, 1886. For many years, commencing in 1856, 
the office was ably conducted by Jerome W. Foster, Esq. 

A portion of the early records of the Post Office Depart- 
ment at Washington were burned many years ago, and as a 
continuous record is inaccessible, no effi^rt has been made to 
procure the statistics of this office. The revenue for the year 
ending July 30, 1883, was $1750.71. The mail was brought 
to Ashburnham Centre many years on the Worcester stage, 
owned by Charles Stearns and later by Ivers White and 
others. Upon the carriage of the mails by the railroads, the 
Cheshire Eailroad contracted with the department to carry 
the mail between the depot and Ashburnham Centre, from 
July, 1849, to July, 1853, at ninety-four dollars per annum. 
For the ensuing ten years the service was performed by C. 
Marshall at one hundred dollars per annum. He was 
succeeded after a few months as contractor by George J. 



532 HISTORY OE ASHBURNHAM. 

Metcalf. From December 15, 1863, to April 30, 1867, the 
contractor was John L. Cook, at one hundred and ten doHars 
per annum, who was succeeded by Clarence M. Proctor, who 
continued in contract until the carriage of the mail was 
assumed by the Ashburnham Railroad, receiving for the last 
part of the time two hundred dollars per annum. 

The Ashburnham Depot Post Office, with John M. Frost, 
postmaster, was established May 11, 1850, and was accom- 
modated in the depot for several years. The second post- 
master was Lewis Howard who was appointed April 13, 
1857, and he was succeeded October 25, 1860, by John B. 
Day. The next postmaster was David E. Poland, appointed 
August 22, 1864. Upon the appointment of Wilbur F. 
Whitney, Esq., April 1, 1872, he removed the office to the 
building in which it still remains. Miss Amelia J. Cushing" 
was appointed March 5, 1875, and Miss Susan C. Rice, the 
present incumbent, May 16, 1881. The revenue for the 
fiscal year ending June 30, 1883, was $395.67. 

The Burrageville Post Office was established December 
12, 1854. This office was kept in the Burrage store mitil 
about the time William F. Burrage removed from this town. 
Later, it has been kept in the depot. The succession of post- 
masters and date of appointment is as follows : Charles W. 
Burrage, December 12, 1854; John ^V. Fay, October 3, 
1859; William F. Burrage, June 24, 1861; Jonas W. 
Dwinnell, October 29, 1867; George L. Beals, Jr., 
December 15, 1882. At the time of the appointment of 
Mr. Beals, the name of the office was changed to North 
Ashburnham. The revenue for the fiscal year, ending June 
30, 1883, was $69.18. 

The Asiibuenham Library was organized in 1793. It 
received no aid from the town and was dependent upon 
voluntary effort. A well preserved book of records aftbrds 



MISCELLANEOUS. 533 

an intelligent account of its proceedings. The rights or 
shares were sold at two dollars. The whole number issued 
was fifty-iive, but by the sale and transfer of shares the whole 
number of members during the existence of the organization 
was ninety-eight. In addition to the sums received from the 
sale of shares and from fines, a tax was frequently assessed 
on the membership for the purchase of books. A small sum 
was also received from an occasional sale of books which had 
become familiar to all or were considered undesirable. 
Among the books sold are found, " Robinson Crusoe," '' Child's 
Friend," "Devout Exercises," " Seraphic Shepherd," "Jockey 
Club." "Herlian Miscellany," "Pilgrim's Progress," "Fool 
of Quality," and others familiar to the times. At an auction 
sale in 1806, Rev. Mr. Cushing purchased " Cardephoria " 
in tAvo volumes for $1.10 ; for the sum of twenty-one cents 
Caleb Ward transferred "Saunders' Travels" to North Ash- 
burnham ; the " Duke of Marlborough " was sold for twenty- 
one cents, while the "Vicar of Wakefield" was struck off" at 
sixty-eight cents ; both were safely lodged in the house of 
Captain J. Willard ; Cyrus Fairbanks invested thirty-nine 
cents in " Religious Courtship," and on the payment of forty- 
three cents "Family Instructor" was carried to the home of 
Elisha White. 

After an existence of forty years, in 1833 the organization 
was dissolved by mutual consent. The books were divided 
into fifty-five parcels and distributed by lot among the owners 
of the shares. The sale of the empty book-case to pay any 
outstanding debt and a vote to donate the balance if any to 
the library of the Sabbath-school are the closing entries in 
the records. The several librarians were Rev. John Cushing, 
Joseph Jewett, Abraham Lowe, David Cushing, William J. 
Lawrence, Ivers Jewett, Doddridge Cushing and Samuel 
Woods. The constitution, which with slight changes re- 



534 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

mained in force during the existence of the organization, was 
probably drafted liy Mr. Gushing. It is a phiin, comprehen- 
sive instrument, and in a provision that the penalty for "every 
drop from a candle shall be one penny for every shilling in 
the value of the book," it suggests the changes which have 
marked the progress of years. 

About 1850 the Ladies' Library Association was organized 
and a limited collection of books of approved character was 
continued by renewals until 1884. The volumes then re- 
maining in possession of the organization were donated to 
the town and became the nucleus of the present Public 
Library. Upon the acceptance of the donation the town 
appropriated three hundred and fifty dollars for new books, 
and an increasing interest in the library has been manifested. 
The present number of volumes is 1700. Li 1885 and again 
in 1886 the town has donated three hundred dollars to 
sustain and enlarge the library. The Executive Committee 
are George W. Eddy, George M. Munroe, Nathan Eaton, 
Mary S. Barrett and Mortimer M. Stowe. 

The First National Bank of Ashburnham was organized 
April 3, 1873, and commenced business in August following. 
The capital stock is fifty thousand dollars. From the first 
an able and prudent management has secured the merited 
confidence of the community. Giving preference to local 
business the bank has been of essential service to the business 
interests of the town. The original board of directors were 
Dr. A. T. Lowe of Boston, George W. Eddy, George H. 
Barrett, Walter R. Adams, George C. Winchester, Addison 
A. Walker, John L. Cummings, Ohio Whitney, Ivers 
Adams and Elbridge Stinison. The four first named are 
members of the present board with whom has been joined at 
several annual elections George F. Stevens, Moses P. 
Greenwood, Marshall Wetherbee, Wilbur F. Whitney and 



MISCELLANEOUS. 535 

Walter O. Parker. For several years George C. Winchester 
was president, George W. Eddy cashier and George F. 
. Stevens teller. Since 1879 Mr. Eddy has been president 
and Mr. Stevens cashier. 

The AsHBuiiNHAM Savings Bank was organized 1871 
and closed business 1879. The institution was conducted 
prudently and for the accommodation of home deposits. 
During the depression in business which cast a gloom over 
this town in 1878 and 1879 the deposits were withdrawn to 
such an extent and the future was attended with so much 
uncertainty that the loans were collected and every depositor 
paid in full. The bank was continued eight years and 
reasonable dividends were paid on all deposits. The presi- 
dents of the institution were George C. Winchester and 
Captain Addison A. Walker ; George W. Eddy was the only 
treasurer ; the secretaries were Colonel George H. Barrett 
and George F. Stevens. 

The Farmers' and Mechanics' Club was organized in 
January, 1878. During the winter season the club has held 
frequent meetings for conference and a discussion of subjects 
connected with their calling. These meetings are well sus- 
tained and have been of mutual interest and benefit to the 
members. Under the auspices and direction of this organi- 
zation, the town has held eight ao:ricultural fairs and all of 
them have been successful. The presidents of the club in- 
clude Francis A. Whitney, two years ; Walter R. Adams, 
two years ; Charles E. Woodward, three years, and George 
C. Foster. The secretaries have been Walter H. Laws, 
Charles T. Litch, George F. Corey, Charles E. Woodward, 
Walter B. Whitney and Francis A. Whitney. Walter (). 
Parker has been treasurer from the beginning. The organi- 
zation holds property and money to the amount of about five 
hundred dollars. 



536 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Pounds. — The restraint of domestic animals and an 
equitable adjustment of the rights of the public and of 
individuals were fruitful topics of legislation in every new 
settlement. The annals of Ashburiiham inform us that, 
for fifty-four years, or until 1818, the town annually "voted 
to let swine run at large this year," and in faithful recogni- 
tion of the rights of the public, a goodly number of hog 
reeves were chosen each year to see that vagrant swine were 
ringed and yoked according to law. Pounds for the confine- 
ment of domestic animals are a precautionary measure. 
Like some of our criminal laws, their chief use is in the 
prevention of ofiences. The prudent citizens of Ash- 
burnham favored the erection of a pound more as a threat 
or warning against trespass than in the expectancy of its 
frequent use. The first pound was built in 1772. Twenty- 
one years later a new one was erected in the southwest 
corner of the common, which was thoroughly repaired in 
1819. At this date an unsightly heap of ruins remains as a 
witness to the truth of this narrative, and vividly reminding 
the present generation of an ancient prophecy, " For the 
stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the 
timber shall answer it." 

Bounty on Wild Animals. — Proximity to the moun- 
tains, the great number of ponds and streams and the broad 
expanse of the original forest continued to attract wild 
animals to this vicinity after their disappearance from less 
inviting haunts. The ravages of wolves upon the sheepfold 
and the frequent depredation of other tenants of the forest 
are the theme of the early traditions of the town. In the 
petition of Joshua Henshaw, recited in another chapter, is 
the declaration that the value of young cattle, sheep and 
swine annually destroyed was greater than the province 
tax. A few of the many measures adopted for the extermi- 
nation of wild animals are transcribed. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 537 

1779. "Voted to give as a bounty thirty pounds foi' every 
wolf that shall be killed in this town before the last day of May 
next." 

Thirty pounds at that time in depreciated paper money 
would be a fair compensation for ten days' hibor and the 
bounty was subsequently increased to compensate for the 
continued depreciation of the currency. 

1818. " Voted to give a bounty on Wild Cats, viz : one dollar 
for Old Cats and fifty cents for Kittens. 

" Voted that the selectmen be the committee for examining the 
Cats, when brought in for bounty." 

The selectmen are not complimented in this use of capital 
letters, yet they could view the record and consider its im- 
port with greater complacency than could the cats. This 
bounty was continued several years and either because a 
scarcity of the wild cats made their capture more difficult or 
their increasing numbers made them more troublesome, the 
bounty was increased to twice the amount first proposed. 
Letters of marque and reprisal were issued for one year on 
foxes, and at intervals of time extending to a comparatively 
recent date, the town has offered a bounty on crows. This 
bounty was first proposed in 1789 : 

Voted to give each person one shilUng and six pence for each 
old crow killed in this town and niue pence for a young one. The 
birds heads to be brought to the selectmen and their bills cut off. 

All the foregoing were town bounties. Fifty years ago 
the Commonwealth authorized the selectmen of towns to pay 
a bounty on foxes. During the early existence of the law, 
about one fox a week was the death rate in the persecuted 
family of Eeynard. Within two years the accomplished 
hunters of Ashburnham laid at the feet of the selectmen 
ninety-six foxes and with their trophies carried away as many 
half dollars. 



538 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

The Thief Detecting Society is a mutual oro-anization 
for home protection. It is a lock upon the stable door and 
its chief office is the prevention of crime. It is a living 
presence armed with law, and a perpetual terror to every 
class of thieves and kleptomaniacs. The organization is 
voluntary and the enthusiasm in which it has been main- 
tained is spontaneous and perennial. Except the annual 
meetings for the choice of officers and an occasional supper 
at the public inn the only history connected with the organi- 
zation is found in its origin. More than fifty years ago, in a 
single night, a horse was stolen from Colonel Charles Bar- 
rett, a chaise from Eev. George Goodyear, and when the 
returns were all in, it was found that a harness had been 
purloined from Samuel Woods. It is probable that the 
thieves had previously obtained possession of a whip, and if 
human slavery had been perpetuated in Ashburnham, it is 
easy to presume that they would have stolen a coachman. 
The stolen horse was valuable, the chaise was the accustomed 
vehicle of communication between the pastor and his flock, 
and the harness had aided the successful issue of the robbery. 
This compound felony and trespass upon the rights and 
property of the inhabitants occurred in 1834, and imme- 
diately the Thief Detecting Society was organized. The 
by-laws exact a modest admission fee and in this wise pro- 
vision the organization renews its youth and continues a 
vigorous existence. The society lost its first case, for those 
early thieves escaped detection ; but as a preventive measure, 
the history of the town asserts its success. The illustrated 
hand-bills issued by the society is a significant proclamation 
to thieves and a special terror to those on horseback. 

The South Ashburnham Military Band was organized 
in 1885. There are twenty members including a few who 
reside in Ashburnham Centre. Thomas Edwards is leader. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



539 



and the band, containing several experienced musicians, has 
become an efficient organization. At different times for 
nearly fifty years, there have been several good bands and 
orchestras at the Centre, but death, removal from town and 
the retired list have usurped the names of the skilful players 
of a former and a more musical period. 




The Poavder House, with a serene yet solemn counte- 
nance, overlooks the village of Ashburnham. Through 
three generations it has been a trustworthy custodian of the 
inflammable material committed for safe keeping to its 
gloomy recesses. It was erected and has been maintained 
by the unanimous voice of the town. Concerning its erec- 
tion, only a single reference is found in the records : "Voted 
to build a powder house of brick, and set it so as to convene 
Col. Jewett for the safe keeping of his powder, he giving ten 
dollars extraordinary towards building the house." "Chose 
Esq. Wilder, Col. Jewett and Capt. Cushing a committee ta 
build said house." It was built in 1798. Mr. Jewett died 
before the building was erected and Lieutenant John Gates 
was chosen to supply the vacancy . As a work of art the 



540 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

powder house suggests no enthusiasm, and as an object of 
utility its loss could be easily supplied. But the village has 
become accustomed to its presence, and to all it remains a 
familiar object in the landscape. If removed the local asso- 
ciations of many years would be broken and the vision would 
rest upon the hillside unsatisfied. Like many objects and 
landmarks familiar to our daily lives or to the recollections 
of youth, the powder house is not so fully prized in its con- 
tinued presence as it would be deplored in its loss. 

The accompanying illustration will lend assurance to the 
absent sons and daughters of Ashburnham that the old 
powder house still remains on the hillside and in the presence 
of the soldiers they will read the prophecy that it will not 
be left without defence. The soldiers seen in the accom- 
panying engraving are Lieutenant Charles H. White, 
Sergeants Freeman and Willard, Corporals Howe and 
Young and Private Whipple of Company E. 

Population. — The population of this town reached the 
highest point in 1855. The loss shown by the cenvSus of 
1880 was only temporary, and was occasioned by the absence 
of many mechanics during the suspension of business at the 
chair factory in the central village. The following record 
of the population of Ashburnham includes the colonial census 
of 1776, the United States census for every tenth year since 
1790, and State census for every tenth year since 1855. 



177G 


551 


1855 


2211 


1790 


951 


1860 


. 2108 


1800 


994 


1865 


2153 


1810 


1036 


1870 


2172 


1820 


1230 


1875 


2141 


1830 


1402 


1880 


1666 


1840 


1G52 


1885 


2058 


1850 


1875 







CHAPTER XXII. 

MORTUARY RECORDS. 

THE EARLY BURIALS. DEATH OF MR. HASKELL. GERMANS BURIED ELSE- 
WHERE. THE OLD AND THE NEW CEMETERIES. SUICIDES. ACCIDENTAL 

DEATHS. RECORD OF DEATHS OF AGED PERSONS. LIST OF AGED PER- 
SONS NOW LIVING IN ASHBURNHAM. 

The Churchyard. — The proprietors of Dorchester 
Canada reserved ten acres on "the hill with a very fair 
prospect" for a common and a cemetery. In this measure 
they found many precedents in the proceedings of the older 
towns. Yet seldom was a site selected with equal unanimity 
of sentiment or at an earlier date in the progress of a settle- 
ment. It was presumed that the common set apart in 1736 
was to include a l3urying-ground, and the dead were buried 
in the northwest portion of it without the intervention or 
permission of the authorities. In 1760 the proprietors gave 
Mr. Winchester permission to occupy and improve the whole 
square, "provided he doth not obstruct nor hinder the bury- 
ing of the dead ; the burying-place being in that lot." With 
the exception of this incidental reference, it was many years 
before the proprietors, or the town by any official act, 
recognized the existence of a cemetery within the township. 
It was unnecessary. It was an edict of the age more potent 
than any formal proceeding, that the dead should repose 
beneath the shadow of the meeting-house. 

It is safe to consider the cemetery coeval with the common 

and that both were established by a single proceeding. The 

541 



542 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

name of the occupant of the first grave and the date of the 
burial are not recorded, but we have the statement of Mr. 
Gushing that a Mr. Haskell from Lancaster was accidentally 
shot in this town, and that an aged woman was drowned and 
both buried in the old cemetery at an early date. Mr. 
Winchester was buried 1767, and Mr. Gushing was of the 
opinion that no other grown persons had been buried here at 
the time of his settlement. The flimily registers record the 
death of several children previous to that date, but do not 
present any evidence of the death of any additional adults. 

A few of the Germans who died in the earl}^ history of the 
town were buried near the school-house in the second 
district and there are two family burial-grounds, but the 
vast congregation of the dead are sleeping in the old church- 
yard or in the new cemetery. 

From the first the original burying-ground has remained 
under the control of the town and frequent votes for the 
repair of the fences and the removal of stone and brush 
attest a reasonable stewardship of a sacred trust. As in 
other ancient cemeteries, which were not allotted at the 
beginning, the ties of kindred and family associations are the 
only suggestion of an orderly arrangement, while the varied 
sculpture and inscription assert the age of the several 
memorials. The crowded condition and irregular arrange- 
ment of the graves admit of little future adornment, but the 
yard will not be neglected. Here repose the remains of the 
early settlers and of many of the fathers and mothers who 
have succeeded them. The ground is hallowed. Pious care 
will renew the fading inscriptions and repair the waste of 
time as long as good works and well-ordered lives command 
the dutiful reverence of mankind. 

The new cemetery, controlled by an association, was 
opened 1858. Eight years later an additional tract of land 



MORTUARY RECORDS. 543 

was joined to the original purchase. The present area is six 
and live-eighths acres. The association has made liberal 
expenditure in opening avenues and in improving the 
natural surface of the ground. Lots have been sold at a 
reasonable price and in number sufficient to leave the 
association free of debt. The remains of many have been 
removed from the old cemetery and nearly all who have died 
in this town for the past twenty-five years have been buried 
here. The cemetery is conveniently located and pleasantl}^ 
situated, and it contains many chaste and substantial works 
of monumental art. 

Mortuary Record. — The altitude and excellent drain- 
age of the town have been conducive to health and longevity. 
Malarial disease and seasons of prevailing sickness have been 
■of rare occurrence. Previous to 1768 no complete record 
of deaths has been found, but the number was small. The 
hardy settlers were in the prime and strength of manhood. 
The feeble and the aged did not come hither in the early 
progress of the settlement. 

From his ordination until his death, Mr. Gushing made an 
accurate record of deaths in this town, and from 1839 until 
the present time, the town record of deaths is complete. A 
record kept a few years by Doddridge Gushing and one by 
Rev. George Perkins are continuous from 1823 until 1835. 
The remaining time from 1835 to 1839 is supplied from 
partial entries by the town clerk and from records of the 
sexton. It is believed that the following aggregate is 
approximately correct. 

NUMBER OF DEATHS IN THE TOWN OF ASHBURNHAM FROM 1736 TO 
JANUARY 1, 1886. 

Previous to January 1, 1770 8 

From January, 1770, to January, 1780 74 

" " 1780, '' 1790 92 

*' " 1790, " 1800 105 



544 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



1800, to . 


January. 


, 1810 


101 


1810, 




1820 


118 


1820, 




1830 


156 


1830, 




1840 


228 


1840, 




1850 


342 


1850, 




1860 


298 


1860, 




1870 


438 


1870, 




1880 


398 


1880, 




1886 


218 



Total 2576 

It is probable there were more than eight deaths in the 
tirst period of time, but the number was certainly small and 
greater accuracy would not materially aftect the aggregate. 
In 1769 and 1772 there were only two deaths each year, and 
only six in either of the years 1811 and 1812. The canker 
rash prevailed in 1794 and the number of deaths was twenty, 
a number not exceeded until 1823. In 1848 consumption 
and dysentery swell the register to sixty-three. The 
greatest number of deaths in any year was sixty-six in 1863 
when diphtheria made desolate many homes. The smallest 
number within the past forty years was twenty-three in 
1851, and the average for the past ten years has been thirty- 
seven. Since 1800 the average annual death rate has been 
ISo^o for each 1000 of population. The aggregate number 
of deaths since the settlement of the town equalled the popu- 
lation of the town for the first time in 1874, and since that 
date the congregation of the dead has exceeded the number 
of the living. 

Suicides. — There was a time w^hen the suicide was denied 
the rites of Christian burial and his memory was a reproach 
to his kindred. Perhaps in every instance, certainly in 
nearly all, the taint of insanity has been manifested in the 
families in which self-destruction has occurred. With the 



MORTUARY RECORDS. 545 

gift of life, Infinite Wisdom bestows an instinct of self- 
preservation. Intuitively life shrinks from danger and is 
swift in the defence of its existence. While reason hold its 
sway over the minds of men, it is attended by a living im- 
pulse of self-protection. The number who have fallen by the 
cruelty of their own hands is fourteen. 

Alice Stearns, daughter of Isaac Stearns, aged 15 years. 

Ezra Hastings, aged 43 years. 

Mary (Winship) Brooks, wife of Jonathan Brooks, aged 

about 45 years. 
Samuel Wilder, son of Caleb Wilder, aged 15 years. 
Sarah (Whitney) Wilder, wife of Caleb Wilder, aged 39 

years. 
Elias Blodget, aged 42 years. 
Levi Corey, aged 47 years. 
Jonas Rice, aged 62 j^ears. 

Catherine Brown, wife of George Brown, aged 43 years. 
John W. Wallace, aged 53 years. 
Miss Jerusha Dunham, aged 43 years. 
John Cain, aged 43 years. 
Francis Sackett, aged 55 years. 
August Jagodynsky, aged 41 years. 

Deaths by Accident. — While there is no statement in 
this paragraph not sustained by some authentic record, it is 
believed that the following list of casualties is substantially 
complete. The death of Mr. Haskell, who was accidentally 
shot, and of the aged woman who was drowned, have been 
mentioned in another connection. 

1775. Jan. 3. Samuel Stone, aged 24 years. Left his home 

December 30, was bewildered iu a violent 
storm and was not found and brought home 
until January 2. 

1776. Feb. 8. Sarah Phelps Russell, infant daughter of 

Moses Russell, "burned to death;" aged 

7 months. 
35 



1812. 


May 24. 


1815. 


Feb. 14. 


1816. 


Aug. 22. 


1817. 


June 11. 


1820. 


June 14. 


1825. 


June 24. 


1854. 


May 8. 


1854. 


Nov. 26. 


1856. 


Nov. 4. 


1862. 


April 19. 


1862. 


June 29. 


1869. 


June 3. 


1873. 


Nov. 25. 


1876. 


May 27. 



546 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



1795. Aug. 9. Aziibah Gibbs, infant daughter of Joseph 
Gibbs, scalded; aged 18 months. 

1804. March 8. John Shaw, aged about 55. Found dead on 
the snow; "having lost his way and no 
doubt greatl}' fatigued, he laid down and 
died." 

1814. March 8. Jacob Constantine, aged 61. "In conse- 

quence of his horse going off a high bridge 
in Ashby." The accident occurred March 
4; he lived four daj's. "He fell eleven 
feet and eight inches. His wife was with 
him in the sleigh but not seriously injured." 

1815. Aug. 12. Betsey Corey, daughter of Stephen Corey, 

drowned in a tan vat ; aged 4 years. 

1816. March 25. Caleb Wilder drowned while temporarily 

absent in Douglas ; aged 75 j-ears. He 
was a brother of Samuel Wilder, Esq. He 
had been insane several years. 

Nancy Rice, daughter of Levi Rice, aged 3 
years, " scalded by a swallow of hot tea; 
she lived about seven hours." 

Edwin Eaton, aged about 18 years. "His 
death was occasioned by a part of a head 
of herds-grass being taken into the wind- 
pipe." 

Beulah Mossman, daughter of Matthias Moss- 
man, aged 44 years. Thrown from a 
carriage in Fitchbnrg. 

Oliver Marble, aged 69 j^ears ; drowned in 
Lyndeboro, N. H. 
1825. Sept. 1. Ebenezer Jones, aged 36 years. 
1825. Sept. 1. Jonathan Wood, aged 52 3'ears. 



1819. March 28. 



1823. March 11. 



1824. July 21. 



1825. 



These men were sufibcated in a well. 
The house of Mr. Jones was burned, 
descended the well to recover a bucket. 



After the fire he 
The only persons 



MOliTUARY RECORDS. 547 

near by at the time were a boy and Mr. Wood, a neighbor. 
Mr. Wood heard Mr. Jones fall into the water, and in oroing- 
to his relief he also fell. An alarm was given by the boy 
and after several hours the bodies were recovered. 

1828. Aug. 8. A son of Rev. Thomas Skeltou, aged 7 years. 

He fell upon the ground and received a 
fatal wound from a small stub which 
entered his side. 

1829. March 20. Joseph Gibbs, aged 73, was killed by a fall- 

ing tree. 

1885. Sept. 5. William Locke, aged 37 years, fell from a 
pear tree, near the house now of Nahum 
Wood. 

1837. April 10. Levi Warren Wetherbee, sou of Josiah 
Wetherbee, of Riudge, aged 17 years. 
Killed in the mill of Eliphalet Eddy, now 
of Robert W. Mclntire. 

1839. July 18. William Gipson, aged about 50 j^ears, was 
killed instantly by a falling tree. 

1847. June 10. Austin Whitney, aged 15 years, son of Mer- 
rick Whitney, drowned in a small pond 
near the Poor Farm. 

1850. May 30. George Eaton, aged 25 years, killed on rail- 
road. 
22. William Whitney, aged 67 ; kicked by a colt. 
8. Elliot Ward, aged 17 years, son of Benjamin 

Ward, drowned in Ward pond. 
29. Patrick Collecteu, aged 35, killed by acci- 
dental discharge of a gun. 
8. John Wilson, aged 80, by a fall from a build- 
ing. 

1860. Sept. 13. Col. Enoch Whitmore died from injuries 
received from a block of wood thrown from 
a saw in his mill. Aged 64 years. 



1852. 


July 


1857. 


Aug. 


1858. 


Aug. 


1859. 


May 



548 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

1861. Oct. 8. Amos K. Avery, aged 30, died from injuries 
received from a block thrown from a saw 
in Winchester's chair shop. 

1861. Nov. 17. William D. Stearns, aged 33 years, from 
wounds received by accidental discharge of 
a gun. 

1863. June 4. Frank A. Day, aged 7 3'ears, son of John B. 
Day, kicked by a horse. 

1867. Feb. 25. Bradford Britton, aged 48 years, killed in the 

mill of Horace W. Houstan. 

1868. Sept. 12. Mary E. Wood, aged 13 years, killed by an 

accidental discharge of a gun. She was a 
visitor in the family of George Howard. 

1871. Sept. 1. Paul Sibley, aged 35 years, killed by an earth 
slide while repairing the dam or bridge 
above the chair factory in the Central 
village. 

1873. May 16. Mrs. Sarah (Mower) Jewell, widow of 
Dexter Jewell, aged 65 years. Fracture 
of skull by being thrown from a carriage. 
19. Mary and Sarah Riley were drowned while 
visiting at Fall River. 
2. Oscar M. Lane, aged 26 years, killed on rail- 
road. 
9. Reuben H. Lawrence, aged 33 years. Brake- 
man on Fitchburg R. R., was thrown from 
a train and instantly killed. 

1879. March 31. Josiah Thomas, colored, aged 57 j^ears, 
perished while riding to his home in North 
Ashburnham over a winter road across 
" Stearns' Meadow." His horse also 
perished in the cold and storm. 

1883. Sept. 2. Hosea D. Wallace, aged 47 years, was 
killed by a passing train at a railroad 
crossing in Nashua. In the carriage was 
another man who was also killed. 



1876. 


May 


1877. 


Sept, 


1877. 


Dec. 



MOKTUARY RECORDS. 



549 



1884. May 13. Willie H. Raymond, aged 18 years, son of 
Henry M. Raymond, and Frank R. Hoar, 
aged 17 years, son of John Hoar, were 
drowned in Lake Naukeag. The bodies 
were recovered the following day. 

Longevity. — In proportion to the population, a large 
number of the inhabitants of Ashburnham have lived to an 
advanced age. The following record of the deaths of per- 
sons, eighty or more years of age, includes none who were 
not residents of this town, although a few died in other 
places while temporarily residing with their kindred. 



DATE OF DEATH. 


Jan. 


15, 


1778 


Jan. 


19, 


1779 


Jan. 


2, 


1783 


Oct. 


24, 


1784 


July 


9, 


1785 


Oct. 


17, 


1785 


March 


8, 


1788 


March 20, 


1789 


Nov. 


9, 


1789 


May 


3, 


1790 


Oct. 


u, 


1794 


Nov. 


28, 


1794 


Nov. 


19, 


1797 


Feb. 


20, 


1798 


March 26, 


1802 


Nov. 


9, 


1802 


March 16, 


1803 


April 


20, 


1805 


July 


10, 


1805 


Aug. 


29 


1807 


Sept. 


11 


1807 


May 


7, 


1809 


Dec. 


21 


1811 


March 21 


1812 



Mr. Tyler 83 

Widow Davis 84 

John Oberlock 80 

Ebenezer Conant 86 

Mrs. Coddington 85 

Dea. Moses Foster 94 

Abigail Willard, widow of Henry Willard .... SO 

Widow Rebecca Davis 83 

Ephraim Stone 85 

Mrs. Bush 90 

Henry Hall 83 

Widow Gates about 82 

Ruth (Pierce) Conant, widow of Ebenezer Conant . . 85 

Lydia Brooks, widow of Amos Brooks 80 

Elizabeth (Sanders) Adams, wife of Thomas Adams . — 

Thomas Adams 89 

Sarah (Prentice) Brigham, widow of Colonel Timothy 

Brigham, formerly of Southboro' 88 

Joseph Whitmore 86 

Mary (Marion) Whitmore, widow of Joseph Whitmore 87 

Elisha Coolidge 87 

Sarah Salter, widow of Samuel Salter 83 

Elizabeth Haven, widow of Jonathan Haven .... 80 

Mary (Jones) Taylor, wife of Jonathan Taylor ... 80 

Hannah (Barron) Spaulding, widow of James Spaulding 85 



550 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



DATE 


OF DEATH. 


Oct. 


21 


1813 


Oct. 


23 


1813 


March 14 


1814 


Jan. 


13 


1886 


June 


2 


1816 


Nov. 


3 


1816 


Feb. 


20 


1817 


Oct. 


23 


1818 


Oct. 


22 


1821 


Dec. 


31 


1822 


Dec. 


17 


1823 


Nov. 


29 


1824 


Dec. 


29 


1824 


March 12 


1825 


March 2 


1826 


Sept. 


13 


1827 


Nov. 


9 


1827 


Feb. 


27 


1828 


Jan. 


1 


1829 


Sept. 


11 


1830 


Sept. 


16 


1830 


Feb. 


7 


1831 


Feb. 


11 


1831 


Marcli 


I 22 


1831 


Dec. 




-1832 


Aug. 


12 


1833 


May 


15 


1834 


May 


18 


1834 


July 


15 


1834 


Oct. 


23 


1834 


Nov. 


20 


1834 


April 


10 


1836 


April 


26 


1836 


Oct. 


17 


1836 






1837 


Marcli 


22, 


1837 


Oct. 


31 


1839 


Sept. 


22, 


1840 


Aug. 


30 


1840 


June 


11 


1841 


June 


23, 


1841 



Jonathan Taylor 84 

Simon Rodamel 93 

Mary Winter, widow of Andrew Winter 91 

Peter Hunt 86 

Miss Merriam 86 

Jacob Wilker 85 

Widow Hannah Shaw about 83 

Hezekiah Corey 82 

Joseph Steele 85 

Jesse Ellis 80 

Susannah (Allen) Rice, widow of Zebulon Rice . . 91 

Sarah (Leighton) Hunt, widow of Peter Hunt ... 93 

Enos Jones 83 

Sarah (Parkman) Gushing, widow of Rev. John Gushing 82 

Joshua Smith, Esq 81 

Susan Franklin (colored) 90 

Isaac Brooks — 

Hannah ( Whitcomb) Pollard, widow of William Pollard 90 

Joseph Burgess 84 

Widow Burgess , 88 

Amos Davis 80 

Moses Tottingham 84 

Miriam (Hill) Ellis, widow of Jesse Ellis 80 

Rebecca (Foster) Ward, widow of Galeb Ward . . 81 

Rhoda (Randall) Willard, widow of Jacob Willard . — 

Solomon Manning 80 

Oliver Green SI 

Persis Blodgett 80 

John Hall 81 

Dr. Abraham Lowe SO 

Sarah (Willard) Willard, widow of Dea. John Willard 88 

Mr. Reed — 

Jonas Rice 82 

Hannah (Adams) Jones, widow of Enos Jones ... 93 
Persis (Whitmore) Winchester, widow of Jonathan 

Winchester 82 

Reuben Rice 80 

Susanna (Woods) Foster, widow of Samuel Foster . 89 

Lemuel Stimson 82 

Rebecca (Foster) Whitmore, wife of Isaac Whitmore SO 

Thomas Gibson 86 

Eunice (Brooks) Metcalf, widow of Ezekiel S. Metcalf 82 



MORTUARY RECORDS. 



551 



DATE OF DEATH. 



June 


27, 


1841 


July 


5, 


1841 


Jan. 


12, 


1842 


Mav 


1 


1842 


Sept. 


21 


1842 


Nov. 


3 


1842 


March 20 


1843 


April 


14. 


1843 


May 


29 


1843 


July 


29 


1843 


Nov. 


1 


1843 


Dec. 


23 


1843 


Jan. 


14 


1844 


March 


25 


1844 


Feb. 


20 


1845 


Dec. 


22 


1845 


March 


26 


1846 


May 


3 


1846 


July 


22 


1846 


Oct. 


22 


1846 


Nov. 


2 


1846 


Dec. 


3 


1846 


Dec. 


9. 


1846 


March 20 


1847 


Mav 


2 


1847 


Dec. 


27 


1847 


April 


4 


1849 


Oct. 


20 


1849 


July 


30 


1850 


Nov. 


28 


1850 


Feb. 


2 


1851 


April 


29 


1851 


Oct. 


25 


1851 


Feb. 


23 


1852 


Marcl 


25 


1852 


June 


18 


1852 


Jan. 


17 


, 1853 


July 


20 


1854 


Aug. 


12 


1854 


June 


14 


1855 



Olive Manning, widow of Solomon Manning ... 83 

David Clark 83 

David Wallis 81 

Susannah (Todd) Stowell, widow of John Stowell . 81 

Miss Rachel Gates 84 

Mary (Proctor) Sanderson, widow of Moses Sanderson 83 
Tamezin (Felton) Benjamin, widow of Daniel Ben- 
jamin 84 

Joshua Fletcher 83 

Susannah Hobart, widow of Shebuel Hobart ... 84 

Widow Taylor 83 

Timothy Crehore 89 

Jabez Marble 87 

Keziah (Wesson) Hobart, widow of Daniel Hobart . 94 

Copia (Rice) Ward, widow of John Ward .... 98 

Dorothy (Hildreth) Green, widow of Oliver Green . 88 

Mary (Salter) Marble, widow of Jabez Marble ... 83 

Deborah (Hunt) White, widow of Elisha White . . 83 

Joseph Jewett, Esq 85 

Zilpah (Townsend) Rice, widow of Jonas Rice ... 89 

John Bowman 88 

Dorothy (Garfield) Hunt, widow of Sherebiah Hunt . 83 

William Ward 90 

Jonathan Samson 87 

Margaret (Metcalf) Townsend, widow of Reuben 

Townsend 84 

Isaac Whitmore 93 

Phebe (Wright) Hawkes, widow of Benjamin Hawkes 84 

Joseph Merriam 86 

Relief Gibson, widow of Thomas Gibson 85 

Susannah (Rice) Samson, widow of Jonathan Samson 91 

Charles Hastings ; 90 

George R. Gushing, Esq 82 

Martha (Maynard) Crosby, widow of Frederick Crosby 82 

Nathan Taylor 80 

Sarah (Woods) Jewett, widow of Joseph Jewett, Esq. 89 

Deborah (Chittenden) Barrell, wife of William Barrell 82 

Cyrus Fairbanks 100 

Edmund .Tones 83 

Simon Willard 84 

Margaret (Adams) Russell, widow of Thomas Russell 84 

Silas Willard, Esq 86 



552 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



DATE OF DEATH. 



Jan. 


13, 


1856 


Jan. 


27, 


1856 


June 


6, 


1856 


Nov. 


9, 


1857 


May 


8, 


1859 


Nov. 


4, 


1859 


Jan. 


29, 


1860 


Feb. 


23, 


1860 


Aug. 


14, 


1860 


April 


5, 


1861 


Nov. 


3, 


1861 


Feb. 


18, 


1862 



Sept. 

June 

April 

Sept. 

Sept. 

Aug. 

April 

June 

Jan. 

Jan. 

Dec. 

Dec. 

May 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Nov. 

Feb. 

Dec. 

March 

May 

June 

July 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Oct. 

June 

Aug. 

Aug. 

Oct. 



3, 1862 

21, 1863 

14, 1863 

13, 1863 
5, 1864 
2, 1864 

15, 1865 

10, 1865 
12, 1866 
12, 1866 

11, 1867 

15, 1867 

16, 1868 

4, 1868 

22, 1868 
18, 1868 
15, 1860 

2, 1869 
30, 1870 

14, 1870 

20, 1870 

17, 1870 
24, 1870 
14, 1870 
24, 1871 

12, 1871 

18, 1871 
24, 1871 

21, 1871 



Hepsebeth (Smith) Pierce, widow of Amos Pierce . . 94 

William Gates 80 

Achsah (Pollard) Bemis, widow of Stephen Bemis . 85 

Sally Angier 89 

John Wilson 80 

Eliakim Russell 89 

Nancy (Getting) Willard, widow of Simon Willard . 90 

Jonas Gorey 84 

William Barrell 84 

Elizabeth (Gotting) Brooks, widow of Jacob Brooks . 84 

Thomas Howard 82 

Elizabeth (Griffin) Lawrence, widow of Dea. Wra. J. 

Lawrence 87 

Dr. Nathaniel Pierce 83 

Sarah (Converse) Russell, widow of Eliakim Russell . 87 

Lois (Billings) Burgess, widow of Joseph F. Burgess 85 

Polly Brood 84 

Sarah Gilbert 82 

Jonas Davis 83 

Anna Howard 80 

Daniel Benjamin 82 

Doddridge Gushing 86 

Sally (Lane) Kibling, widow of John Kibling ... 82 

Lucy (Townsend) Gorey, widow of Hezekiah Gorey . 99 

Esther Aldrich 84 

Samuel Keyes 83 

Jesse Holbrook 83 

Walter Russell Adams 85 

Joanna (Adams) Gorey, widow of Stephen Gorey . . 93 

Lucy (Gotting) Davis, widow of Josiah Davis ... 84 

Jonathan Samson 82 

Ohio Whitney 81 

Ellen Gorcoran 80 

Moses Stowell 80 

Jesse Ellis 81 

Jonathan Winchester 83 

Hannah (Wilder) Howard, widow of Thomas Howard 87 

Josiah White 89 

Mary (Gashing) Rand, wife of Rev. Asa Rand ... 89 

Sarah (Billings) Mclntire, widow of Daniel Mclntire 85 

Rev. Asa Rand 88 

Jolin Galdwell 89 



MORTUAEY EECORDS. 



55a 



DATE 


OF DEATH. 


March 29 


1872 


April 


1 


1872 


July 


22 


1872 


Aug. 


12 


1872 


Aug. 


22 


1872 


Dec. 


2 


1872 


Jan. 


3 


1873 


Feb. 


24 


1873 


March 24 


1873 


Oct. 


11 


1873 


Oct. 


11 


1873 


March 


8 


1874 


April 


9 


1874 


Aug. 


14 


1875 


Aug. 


14 


1875 


March 


21 


1876 


Feb. 


5 


1877 


March 


5 


1877 


March 12 


1877 


April 


27 


1877 


July 


9 


1877 


Aug. 


18 


1877 


Sept. 


22 


1877 


April 


2 


1878 


May 


11 


1878 


May 


27 


1878 


Feb. 


23 


1879 


Aug. 


25 


1879 


Oct. 


29 


1879 


April 


29 


1880 


July 


8 


1880 


Oct. 


18 


1880 


Nov. 


26 


1880 


April 


1 


1881 


May 


12 


1881 


May 


29 


1881 


Nov. 


3 


1881 


June 


13 


1882 


Aug. 


2 


1882 


Oct. 


20 


1882 


Nov. 


18 


1882 



John Thompson 8& 

Samuel Brooks 80 

Stephen Gushing 88 

Mary (Reed) Eaton, widow of Josiah Eaton .... 82 

Betsey Hosley 80 

William Richardson 81 

Rhoda (Marble) Taylor, widow of Nathan Taylor . . 89 

Persis (Winchester) Hemenway 82 

Lucy (Lane) Jones, widow of John Jones . . - . 89 

Eliab Knapp ' 84 

Dolly (Samson) Gipson, widow of Henry Gipson . . 88 

Elijah Brooks 87 

Nancy Clark 85 

Hannah (Marble) Miller, widow of Joseph Miller . . 80- 

Lydia (Stineker) Davis, wife of Adam Davis . . . 100 

Samuel Randall 91 

Eliza Thompson 89 

Pitt Moore 89 

Charlotte (Lowe) Goodwin, widow of David Goodwin 84 

Mary (Brigham) Herrick, widow of Zimri Herrick . 82 

Sally (Chesmore) Stowell, widow of Moses Stowell . 84 

Lucretia (Wilkins) Caldwell, widow of John Caldwell 91 

Betsey (Haven) Ward, widow of Nathaniel D. Ward . 84 

Elisha Crosby 88 

Widow Ruth (Bowen) Paine 80 

Elizabeth Atwell 84 

John Murray 85 

John Hastings 92 

Anna (Hastings) Sawtell, widow of Asa Sawtell . . 89 

Philip Russell Merriam 96 

Joshua Stowell 91 

Benjamin Lane '. 85 

Asa Tottingham 87 

Elvira (Willard) Crosby, wife of Rev. Josiah D. Crosby 80 

Adam Davis 81 

Silas Ward 89 

Emma (Willard) Skelton, widow of Rev. Thomas 

Skelton, died in Boston 103 

Priscilla (Earle) Watkins, widow of Jehiel Watkins . 83 

Lydia A. (Cowdin) Howard, widow of Wm. H. Howard 83 

Gamaliel Hadley 85 

Antipas Maynard 80 



554 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



DATE OF DEATH. 



Nov. 

Feb. 

Feb. 

April 

June 

July 

Aug. 

Oct. 

Jan. 

March 

June 

June 

Aug. 

Dec. 

Feb. 

Feb. 

June 

Sept. 

Oct. 



22, 1882 
9, 1883 

13, 1883 

9, 1883 

19, 1883 

18, 1883 
29, 1883 

17, 1883 

19, 1884 

7, 1884 

18, 1884 
26, 1884 
12, 1884 

23, 1884 
22, 1885 
22, 1885 

8, 1885 
2, 1885 

26, 1885 



Miss Dorothy Hunt 85 

Nancy W. Bruce . 86 

Visa (Clark) Pierce, widow of Dr. Nathaniel Pierce . 92 

Abel Sawyer 84 

Dea. John Gushing Davis 82 

Eliza (Adams) Stearns, widow of Timothy Stearns . 86 

Anna (Sawyer) Rice, widow of Levi Rice .... 92 

Phebe Peterson 80 

Angeline Lashua (Canadian) 90 

Edward Sawyer 80 

Hannah Wetherbee 91 

Ivers White 80 

Sarah H. Warren 92 

Sally (Bell) Newton, widow of Giles Newton ... 87 

Daniels Ellis 85 

Joshua B. Burgess 84 

Col. Charles Barrett 97 

Edward Smith 82 

Martha T. (Knight) Hadley, widow of Gamaliel Hadley 84 



The following persons, eighty or more years of age, were 
residing in Ashburnham January 1, 1886 : 

Miss Charlotte Davis, daughter of Ebenezer Bennett 
Davis, born June 11, 1797; Hosea Green born September 
22, 1797 ; Miss Euth Hunt, daughter of Deacon Sherebiah 
Hunt, born June 3, 1799 ; Lucy (Stimson) Davis, widow of 
Deacon John C. Davis, born August 20, 1799 ; Melinda 
(Bolles) Hastings, widow of John Hastings, born February 
16, 1800; Charles Hastings born June 16, 1800; Clarissa 
(Willard) Whitmore, widow of Colonel Enoch Whitmore, 
born June 30, 1800; Eebecca (Green) Green, wife of 
Hosea Green, born March 5, 1801 ; Rebecca (Robbins) 
Stearns, widow of Charles Stearns, Esq., born February 9, 
1802 ; Phebe (Danforth) Taylor, widow of Elijah Taylor, 
born Februaiy 9, 1802; George A. Willard born February 
28, 1803 ; Harvey M. Bancroft born- May 1, 1803 ; Louisa 



MORTUARY RECORDS. 555 

(Kinsman) Sheldon, widow of Flint Sheldon, born May 20, 
1803 ; Betsey (Bly) White, widow of Josiah White, born 
August 27, 1803 ; William Bartlett born January 31, 1804 ; 
Zoa A. (Lawrence) White, widow of Ivers White, born 
April 21, 1804; Nathan Taylor born May 11, 1804; Lucy 
(Kinsman) Wilder, wife of Jonathan P. Wilder, born 
September 4, 1804 ; Silas Willard born December 8, 1804 ; 
Jonathan P. Wilder born February 19, 1805 ; Betsey M. 
(Glazier) Bancroft, wife of Harvey M. Bancroft, born 
November 17, 1805 ; Margaret Nash, widow of John Nash, 
born December 28, 1805. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

GLEANINGS. 

A PRESENT TO REV. JOHN CUSHING. SEATING THE MEETING-HOUSE. 

MINOR TOPICS. A NEW TOWN PROPOSED. A NEW NAME SUGGESTED 

FOR ASHBURNHAM. A WAR CLOUD. SICKNESS. — A SEVERE WINTER. 

A VARIETY. THE GREAT GALE. THE FIRST FIRE ENGINE. TEMPER- 
ANCE. MILLERITES. THE GREAT FRESHET. MISCELLANEOUS TOPICS. 

Conspicuous in the life of an individual or in the history 
of a community will appear many incidents which form no 
part of a connected narrative, and in such isolated events, 
frequently, are discerned vivid pictures of the manners and 
customs of the times. In this chapter will be found many 
threads and fragments that refused to weave into the fabric 
of the preceding chapters, yet some of the facts here col- 
lected are of interest. The modest gleanings of the 
Moabitish maiden contained as good wheat as was garnered 
in the fatter sheaves of the reapers, and in these unpreten- 
tious gleanings are found suggestions of the habits and 
surroundings of our fathers. A few of the incidents here 
recited, from 1780 to 1800, are copied from the journal of 
Isaac Stearns. They are given in his own language and his 
name is appended to each extract. The numerous votes of 
the town on a variety of subjects are copied from the records. 

1769. The town presented Rev. John Cushing two and a 
half acres from the east side of the common. This was one- 
fourth of the area reserved for public purposes. This record 

556 



GLEANINGS. 557 

accounts for the fact that the common is longer from north 
to south than from east to west. 

1771. This year the town chose Deacon Fellows, 
Ephraim Stone and Samuel Wilder " to seat the meeting- 
house according to age and pay ; the fore seats by age and the 
rest by pay." The following year Samuel Wilder, William 
Whitcomb and John Willard were selected to perform 
this delicate duty. The custom of assigning a seat in the 
meeting-house to each family was universal at this time. In 
many towns the committees were instructed to take into 
account the character and standing of the man as well as his 
age and amount of taxes paid. 

1776. The town " voted to buy a burying cloth and chose 
Samuel Wilder to get the same and offer it to the selectmen 
for acceptance." None of that board of selectmen were 
elected the following year, yet the vote might have been an 
honest expression to accomplish a desired and commendable 
purpose. 

1778. The summer of this year was exceedingly dry and 
the labor of the husbandman was poorly repaid. 

1780. The winter was one of unusual severity. The 
deep SDOw and cold weather continued late in the spring. 
May 19 was the memorable dark day. Here for the first 
time shines the light of Isaac Stearns' diary : " Frida}^ it was 
extraordinary dark from nine o'clock to one and the night 
was as surprising." A few days later Mr. Stearns says, "I 
went to father's pasture and skinned some sheep killed by 
the wolves." 

July 20. This day was observed as a public fast. For 
the first time a sexton was included in the list of town 
officers and one was annually chosen for many years. 

Thursday, December 7. This day was observed through- 
out the colonies as a day of thanksgiving. Mr. Gushing 



558 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

preached from the text, " Salvation belongeth unto the Lord. 
Thy blessmg is upon thy people." 

1781, April 18. "I went to chase after a bear," says 
Isaac Stearns. Tradition often asserts that the early settlers 
sometimes met a bear. In his choice of words, Mr. Stearns 
more clearly defines the habits of the animal. 

The town for the first time legislates concerning the ob- 
servance of the Sabbath in these explicit terms : " Voted that 
it is the town's mind to put a stop to unnecessary travelling 
on the Sabbath and that the town will support the officers in 
the execution of their office." 

1782, May 2. Under this date Isaac Stearns says, "I 
went to help fetch in to Mr. Taylor's, Capt. Solomon Woods 
who was wounded by the fall of a pine and he died the follow- 
ing morning." 

May 3. "I went to carry the corpse to Groton." 
It is probable that this fatal accident occurred in New 
Ipswich. Thaddeus Taylor lived in the southwest corner of 
that town and the home of Isaac Stearns was where Edwin 
J. Stearns now resides. It was the custom of Mr. Gushing 
to record all the deaths that occurred in this town, but he 
makes no mention of the death of Captain Woods. 

1785, April 22. "A severe snow storm — two feet of 
snow." — Isaac Stearns. 

1786, May 24. "I went to the raising of Captain Francis 
Lane's mill." — Isaac Stearns. 

1787, January 22. "I went to town meeting," says Isaac 
Stearns, and the following entry three days later announces 
the subject of the meeting. " I went to town to see about 
getting men to go against the insurgents." This refers to 
Shays' rebellion. There was no legal town meeting on the 
day named and the one referred to by Mr. Stearns was 
probably an informal conference of the loyal citizens. 



GLEANINGS. 559 

1790. The town "voted to sell their old paper money." 
No record concerning the amount nor the proceeds of the 
sale has been found. 

1791, April 15. "I went to town meeting which was 
called to see if the town would reconsider a former vote and 
set the meeting-house in the centre of the town." — Isaac 
Stearns. 

This refers to an effort made by a portion of the town to 
secure the location of the meeting-house at some point north 
of the old common, and as the advocates claimed, nearer the 
geographical centre of the town. The town heard the peti- 
tion and by a vote of 77 to 33 decided to build the new 
house on the old common. 

June 9. "I went to a meeting at my brother's to see if 
we could agree for a new town taking a part of Ashburnham, 
Rindge and New Ipswich." — Isaac Stearns. 

This proposition was mentioned in the other towns named 
but early failed for want of support. 

Nov. 10, Thursday. "I went to the dedication of the 
new meeting-house. Mr. Gushing preached from the text : 
' But will God indeed dwell on the earth ? Behold the 
heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee : how 
much less this house that I have builded.'" — Isaac 
Stearns. 

1794, March 3. The tow^n, probably influenced by some 
prominent citizen who desired to honor Hon. Moses Gill of 
Princeton, " Voted to petition the General Court to have the 
town's name altered to the name of Gill." 

The town of Gill in Franklin county was incorporated a 
fe^v months previous to this vote, and no petition was ever 
presented to the Legislature. It is probable that the am- 
bition of ]\Ir. Gill was satisfied with one namesake, and that 
when the town heard of his contentment the matter was 



560 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

suffered to rest. Happily the good substantial name of 
Ashburnham was preserved. This year the town "Voted 
that if the government does not give the soldiers forty shil- 
lings per month the town will make it up to them, provided 
they are called into actual service in defence of the United 
States." 

Nearly every town in this vicinity about this date passed 
a vote to the same effect. The purport of these votes 
frequently has been misunderstood and many false inferences 
have been drawn from them. The vote was a sequence of 
the action of Congress in calling upon the several States to 
hold in readiness a certain proportion of the militia in the 
event of a war with England. Following the peace of 1783, 
the United States and Great Britain each incessantly com- 
plained that the other was violating the stipulations of the 
treaty. ^ These complaints and the excitement produced in 
the public mind were rife at this time. They were quieted 
for a season by the ratification of the Jay treaty but were 
not removed until after the war of 1812. 

1795. The records of Mr. Gushing note the prevalence 
of an unusual amount of sickness in 1794 and the early 
months of 1795. Of this season Isaac Stearns, under date 
of March 16, 1795, says, — "Now it is a day of trouble 
wish us in our neighborhood and in our town. The Lord in 
his righteous judgment has sent or permitted a grievous dis- 
temper to prevail. It is the rash" and canker. I suppose it 
is the old throat distemper. It has swept oft' a great number 
in this town." 

Wednesday, March 18. "I attended the funeral of Mr. 
Lemuel Stimson's son and Mr. Stephen Eandall's child and 
likewise of Gol. Lane's wife where I was called to be one of 
the bearers. These three and a child of Thomas Laws', 
Jun., which was his only child, and the third he had been 



GLEANINGS. 561 

called to part with in six months — these four were all 
carried into the meetino^-housc at one time. A sermon was 
preached by Rev. Mr. Gushing from Isaiah, xxv. 8 : ^ He 
will swallow up death in victory : and the Lord God will 
wipe away the tears from off all faces.' '' 

December 6. The town "Voted that Dr. Abraham Lowe 
be a committee to return the thanks of the town to Messrs. 
Willard for their generous present of a time-piece to the 
town." The clock presented to the town was in the old 
meeting-house many years, and is remembered by many 
now living. 

1796. The town "chose Dr. Abraham Lowe, Samuel 
Wilder, Esq., and Col. Joseph Jewett a committee to invite 
a certain number of families belonging to Westminster, to 
join this town." These proceedings eventually resulted in 
the annexation to this town of the farms of John Ward and 
William Barrell. 

1797. The selectmen, to Avhom the subject had been 
referred, " reported a recommendation that the town 
straighten the walls of the grave yard ; make and hang 
two gates, each ten feet long, one at each end of the meet- 
ing-house, and cut and clear off the brush, and wall in both 
places where there are now bars." 

1798. "Voted that Samuel Wilder, Esq., Dr. Abraham 
Lowe and Capt. David Gushing be a committee to remon- 
strate the general court against the erection of a new court 
house in Worcester." 

Friday, Maj^ 10. "I attended the funeral of Esqr. 

Samuel Wilder. He died very suddenly in his bed Fast 

day morning May 9. Mr. Gushing preached a sermon in 

the meeting-house from the text, — ' Blessed is that servant 

whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing.' A 

great number both in the town and from a number of towns 
36 



562 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

attended the funeral. This is a sfreat loss to the church and 
town for he was a serviceable man." — Isaac Stearns. 

1799. Another winter of unusual severity lingered into 
the months of spring. In the annals of other towns there are 
many references to this season and the prevailing scarcity of 
forage for cattle and horses. Under date of May 15, when 
he had substantial reason to presume that the worst was 
over, Isaac Stearns says, — "Here it may be worth while to 
take notice of the extraordinary season through the winter 
and spring. The wanter set in about the middle of Novem- 
ber — we did not have any ver}^ large snow at a time, but 
there fell a great deal in the course of the winter. And it 
was remarkable for cold, here the sledding held out about 
five months and it is said they went into Boston by sledding 
eighteen weeks. The spring has been very cold and back- 
ward and snowed repeatedly and one considerable snow May 
12. People then almost despaired of seed time. It has 
been a winter much to be remembered. A great number of 
cattle died in this town and elsewhere by reason of the 
severity of the winter and the sickness that was on them. 
There died out of the stock of the widow of Silas Whitney 
eighteen head of horned cattle." 

A few days later Mr. Stearns chronicles the loss of three 
of his cows and soliloquizes as follows : "This is a frown in 
Providence. I desire to submit calmly without a murmuring 
thought, though it is distressing in such a family as mine to 
lose three good cows at this time of the year. May I be 
l)rought to set my affections less on the creatures and more 
on the Creator. Blessed be God who is teaching me the 
fading nature of earthly enjoyments." 

1800, Saturday, February 22. "I went to the meeting- 
house to hear a eulogy on account of the death of General 
Washington." — Isaac Stearns. 



GLEANINGS. 5g3 

Of these services Dr. Abraham T. Lowe recently gave the 
following account: "Washington died in December, 1799. 
There was a general observance of his funeral rites through- 
out the country. In many parts of the United States, these 
services were held in the subsequent February. This com- 
memoration service of our first President, in Ashburnham, 
was reserved for the twenty-second of February, the anni- 
versary of his birth. The Rev. Dr. Gushing addressed a 
crowded congregation, and concluded the service by reading 
an acrostic, presenting the name in capitals, — George 
Washington, — written by my father; a copy of which, 
having been found among papers left by my sister, I here 
subjoin.'' 

"Gone? Yes, forever! Washington has fled ! 
Entered death's gate, and mingled with the dead ; 
On pinions as a dove, has winged his way, 
Rising from earth to everlasting day : 
Glad angels stand with harps attuned to sing, 
Enter, great Chief, tiie glories of thy King ! 

" While God, benignant, from his throne above, 
A welcome tenders, fraught with life and love, 
Since such the mandate is, our tears we dry : 
He lives again ! to dwell with God on high. 
Illustrious Chief! whose virtues were our guide; 
Nor shall the tomb his goodness, greatness, hide, — 
Great in defence of rights vouchsafed to man ; 
Truth, kindness, justice, through his being ran. 
tyrant Death ! thou layest the highest low ; 
Nor fearest to startle millions at a blow." 

1801. "Voted to git a good new carriage and harness for 
to carry corpses on and build a house for to keep the same 
in." 

1803. " Voted not to get a cushion and trimmings for the 
pulpit." 



564 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

1804. "Voted to get a new burying cloth and that the 
selectmen be a committee to get the same." 

1805. " Voted to cut the trees and bushes in the grave 
yard." 

1806. " Voted to build two horse blocks at the meeting- 
house, one at each end." 

1^07. Monday, January 26. " This was supposed to be 
about as cold as ever was known." — Isaac Stearns. 

1808. "Voted to get a cushion and other trimmings for 
the pulpit in the meeting-house." 

" Voted to petition the general court to have the taking of 
fish in the ponds in Ashburnham regulated." 

1812. This was a cold, wet summer. A snow-storm 
began May 24 and continued twenty-four hours. 

1814. " Voted to get a new hearse and harness and that 
it be a four-wheeled one and that the selectmen do procure 
one accordingly." 

1815. In September there was a remarkable gale that 
caused great damage in this town. A wind from the south- 
east of unprecedented velocity continued with slight abate- 
ment from nine to eleven o'clock in the forenoon. Fences, 
trees and in some localities whole forests were prostrated. 
Its greatest force was from Maine to New York and inland 
from sixty to eighty miles. The great blow of 1815 for 
many years was a subject of frequent remark. 

1816. The summer was exceedingly wet and cold. Frost 
occurred every month, and from June 6 to June 11 the frosts 
were severe. 

The public well on the common was dug this year. 

1817. The town voted not to purchase a stove for the 
meeting-house. At several subsequent meetings a similar 
vote was passed. A stove was finally procured through 
individual effort about 1825. 



GLEANINGS. 565 

This year the town " Voted that the selectmen do their 
duty and enforce the hiws respecting tavern haunters." 

1825. "Voted to choose two agents to each pond to put 
the law in force concerning fishing." 

1829. A few enterprising citizens having purchased and 
brought to this town a lire engine, a proposition was made 
to sell a rio^ht in it to the town on these terms : " To see 
if the town will pay a part towards the Ingine that is pur- 
chased provided the proprietors will give it up for the use of 
the inhabitants of said town." The vote was in the negative. 

1830. In accordance with the requirements of a com- 
pulsory statute the town was surveyed by Enoch Whitmore 
and Jesse Stearns. 

1832. The temperance crusade early found supporters in 
Ashburnham. This year the town gave warning of a deter- 
mined purpose by a vote " that whenever the selectmen see 
or know of any person or persons, inhabitants of this town, 
to git drunk or intoxicated with ardent spirits to take notice 
of the same and to deal with them as the law in such cases 
has provided." 

1835. A road case being under consideration the declara- 
tion of a vote in the premises was disputed. On a division 
of the town to make the vote certain, there were sixty-three 
in the afiirmative and sixty-three in the negative, whereupon 
the town " Voted that the inhabitants form two lines on the 
common to determine this question." The two lines were 
then formed, the files counted and the advocates of the road 
prevailed. 

1836. The town appropriated fifty dollars to procure 
buckets for the engine company. 

1837. The town voted to excuse the engine men from the 
payment of a poll tax. 

1838. In former years the town had refused to pay for 
ringing bells at noon and at nine o'clock in the evening. 



566 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

This year it ordered that the two bells in the village be each 
rung at these hours six months at the expense of the town. 
The custom was continued many years. 

1842. The Miller delusion caused considerable excite- 
ment and found several adherents in this town. This move- 
ment, supported more by prophecy than fulfilment, extended 
with unequal fervor through two or three years. It accom- 
plished no good and fre(][uently left its temporary adherents 
in an unsettled state of mind. Many characteristic incidents 
attended the preaching and the experience of the disciples in 
this town, but they are attended by no profitable or pleasing 
memories. Over this exhi])ition of human weakness and 
folly, charity proffers the friendly mantle of silence. 

1850, May 6. The dam at Rice pond broke away and 
great damage ensued in the valley below. The freshet^ as it 
is ever called, is a memorable event in the annals of Ash- 
burnham. Many are now living who witnessed the anger 
of the deluge and surveyed the ruin wrought by the seething 
current. So vivid remains the picture of the scene in their 
memory that to them words can convey no intelligence nor 
fitly express the portentous character of the flood. The 
thought and experience of the multitude collected near the 
scene would fill a volume, but only the cause and the visible 
results are left for record. For many years previous to the 
freshet, a dam had been maintained at Rice pond and during 
the greater part of the year the water was maintained several 
feet above the original level of the pond. In the S[)ring of 
1850 two feet of clay soil had been placed on top of the dam 
without a sufficient support of stone and spiles. During the 
days immediately preceding the catastrophe the pond was 
full and was two feet higher than ever before. Sunday was 
a rainy day and during the night the rain fell copiously. 
The clouds lifted Monday morning and a high wind set in 



GLEANINGS. 567 

from the northwest sweeping across the pond, and, little by 
little, wearing the crown of the dam with the waves. Soon 
a small but continuous stream flowed over the top increasing 
with every moment. The current plowed deeper and deeper, 
until the dam yielded to the force of the escaping water. 
When the first breach was made an alarm was raised and a 
number of men hastened to the rescue, but they were too 
late and the maddened flood came dashing onward to its 
work of destruction. 

The mighty volume of water, with anger written on the 
crest of every wave, swept away every dam and every 
bridge spanning the river between the reservoir and Fitch- 
burg. At the Naukeag cotton mill which sturdily withstood 
the shock, the dam was suddenly removed and the mill was 
an island in the sea of foam and waves that beat and surged 
around its base. Baifled in a first assault, the wrathful cur- 
rent dashed on to an easy conquest at the tannery of Fletcher 
and Warren. The buildings were suddenly lifted to the 
summit of the waves and scattered in the fury of the flood. 
In its onward course the tulj shop of Caldwell and Ellis, 
protected by a pile of logs, and the grain-mill, now of 
Colonel George H. Barrett, were not seriously injured. 
Then fell the morocco shop and the furniture shop which 
stood near the bridge. With force unabated and with bil- 
lows bristling with the trophies of conquest and huge 
boulders rolling along in the current or hurled to the shore 
and sweeping the bridge into the basin ])elow, the flood 
dashed into a more capacious channel. The mijls of Charles 
and George C. Winchester were not destroyed, but a great 
quantity of stock and lum1)er was swept away. In Factory 
Village the damage was renewed. The cotton factory was 
spared to feed the flames at a subsequent time, l)ut the 
property was greatly injured. The old Dunster saw-mill 



o68 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

was overthrown and sad havoc was made of the morocco 
shop of Luther B. and Andrew J. Adams. On Mill street 
the chair factory, formerly of Corey, Barrett and Kibling, 
was undermined and fell after a sturdy resistance of the 
sweeping force of the first assault, and many smaller build- 
ings were floated on the surface of the waves. 

In the midst of the excitement attending the approach of 
the flood, George Rock wood started down the river to warn 
the people of the approaching danger. He swiftly rode to 
West Fitchburg and from that place other messengers con- 
tinued the alarm. It is said that many did not heed the 
warning of the Ashburnham prophet, but when the hour of 
danger came they found ample occasion for returning grate- 
ful acknowledgments for the hour of preparation which his 
kindness had granted them. Beyond the limits of this town 
the damage was considerable, but the sweeping fury of the 
current was lessened in its onward progress. 

A few days after the catastrophe, an informal meeting of 
the citizens of Ashburnham was assembled and the situation 
was calmly reviewed. In a summary of the losses, it was 
stated at this meeting that twelve dams, a chair shop, a 
cabinet shop, an extensive tannery, a saw-mill, a morocco 
shop and several store and dry houses had been swept away. 
The remaining buildings were injured, and for miles along 
the margins of the stream were large quantities of hides, 
cotton yarn, chair material and finished wares. At this 
meeting a committee, consisting of Rev. Josiah D. Crosby, 
Rev. Elnathan Davis, George G. Parker, Charles Stearns, 
George Rockwood, Colonel Enoch Whitmore and Dr. John 
Petts, were selected to solicit and distribute the donations of 
the charitable in the surrounding towns. About twelve 
hundred dollars was promptly collected and awarded in 
various sums to the most needv of the sufferers. 



GLEANINGS. 569 

In connection with any reference to the flood the following 
report preserved among the papers of Charles Stearns, Esq., 
preserves a semi-official account of the losses sustained. It 
will be observed that the report was made only four days 
after the disaster. 

We, the subscribers, residents of Ashburnham, having been 
chosen by the inhabitants of said town, a committee to ascertain 
the amount of direct damages sustained by the different owners of 
mills and other property, situated upon the stream issuing from 
the reservoir in said town, on ttie sixth day of May, have attended 
to the business assigned us and submit the following report : 
Reservoir Dam, No. 5 $500 

David R. Marshall 950 

Naukeag Man'f g Co. 2,500 

Amos Taylor — Shop 100 

E. L. Merrick — Machinist 75 

WilUam Rice — Machinist 100 

Fletcher and Warren — Tannery 6,000 

Caldwell and Ellis 550 

Mr. Day — Grist-mill and Saw-mill 1,000 

Wheeler's Chair Factory 1,000 

C. M. Proctor— Blacksmith 600 

Horace Black — Cabinet Shop 1 ,070 

Black and Wilder 1,000 

Jonathan P. Wilder 250 

Winchester and Barrett 2,750 

C. and G. C. Winchester 3,725 

Charles Stoddard — Wheelwright 400 

George Blackburn — Cotton Factory 6,000 

S. Knights — Saw-mill 500 

L. B. and A. J. Adams — Morocco 1,525 

Ivers Adams — Stock 200 

Amos Whitney — Farm 500 

Samuel Brooks — Farm 250 

David Whitney — Farm 100 

Total $31,645 



570 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

The committee would further state that the above estimate of 
losses was carefully ascertained by personal inquiry of the different 
owners of the property lost and that the statement as above is, 
as we believe, under rather than above the actual losses and 
damages. 

EUROPE H. FAIRBANKS,") 
ANTIPAS MAYNARD, [ Committee. 

STEPHEN A. MILLER, ) 

AsHBURNHAM, Juue 10, 1850. 

With a hopeful countenance directed to the future, and 
with the sympathy and encouragement of the community, 
the dams and bridges were promptlj^ rebuilt and a new and 
more substantial dam was erected at the reservoir and, 
except in the memory of men, all traces of the flood were 
soon obliterated. 

1860. This year the town voted not to make an appropri- 
ation for the ringing of the bell at noon and at nine in the 
evening, but, missing the accustomed sound or for some other 
cause, the motion was reconsidered and the bell was rung as 
usual. 

The selectmen were instructed to prosecute all violations 
of the liquor laws. 

1861. A proposition to change the time of holding the 
annual town meeting to the first Monday in April was 
defeated. 

The engine men are paid two dollars each and the abate- 
ment of poll tax. The same remuneration was allowed 
before and after this date. 

1864. The public hay scales were purchased this year. 
Two years later a like convenience was established at South 
Ashburnham at the expense of the town. 

Rev. J. D. Crosby, Reuben Townsend, Jerome W. Foster, 
Ohio Whitney, Jr., and George C. Winchester were chosen 



GLEANINGS. 571 

to report at a future meeting concerning a centennial cele- 
bration of the incorporation of the town. On the report of 
this committee the town " voted to dispense with a centennial 
celebration ybr the present.^'' 

1866. A committee of twenty-five was chosen to enforce 
the liquor laws. 

1869. Following heavy rains in October great damage 
was done by a freshet in many parts of New England. In 
this town all the streams were swollen and the highways 
were injured to an extent unprecedented in the history of 
the town. The greatest damage occurred in South Ash- 
burnham where the freshet was augmented by the breakage 
of the dam at the mill on the site of the chair factories of 
Wilbur F. Whitney. All the dams on that stream in this 
town, except the dam at the mill of E. Gross and Son, were 
broken and the water overflowing the banks of the river 
made havoc with movables within its reach. The dam at the 
saw-mill of Horace W. Houston was swept away at this time 
and visions of a deluge were everywhere visible. Painful 
apprehensions of more serious consequences were enter- 
tained, but the bow of promise again appeared and tran- 
quillity returned with the subsiding waters. 

1870. An informal vote, in the nature of a request, concern- 
ing the site of Gushing Academy, was adopted. This measure 
recommended that the buildings be erected on land of George 
C Winchester and north of his residence. William P. Ellis, 
Simeon Merritt and Marshall Wetherbee were selected to 
communicate to the trustees the desire of the town. 

This year six hundred dollars was appropriated for the 
purchase of a town clock to be placed in the belfry of the 
new Methodist church. By the conditions of the vote the 
clock was to remain under the control of the town. 

1871. A hose carriage and five hundred feet of additional 
hose were purchased l)y the town. 



572 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

1872. The town appropriated one thousand dollars for a 
fire engine for the use of South Ashburnham and also pur- 
chased a site and built an ens-ine-house in that villaoe. 

1874. Upper Naukeag was leased for the propagation of 
fish and Ohio Whitney was chosen agent. 

1875. The new engine-house in central village was built 
this year. The committee to select and purchase a site and 
to superintend its construction were George C. Foster, 
George G. Rockwood and John H. Wilkins. 

1877. Ward pond was leased for the propagation of 
fish. 

1879. A new hearse was purchased. 

Shade Trees. — To subdue a forest was the mission of 
the early settlers of Ashburnham. The planting and care of 
shade trees is an impulse of succeeding generations. The 
appearance of the streets and the comfort of the homes of the 
villagers, and at many homesteads in all parts of the town, 
are indebted to the enterprising citizens who have prose- 
cuted a commendable work. It will he kindly remembered 
that manv of the shade trees on Lawrence and Chapel streets 
were planted by George C. Winchester. And in all parts 
of the village, many have been planted by the Village Im- 
provement Society, while the Congregational Society, the 
trustees of Cushing Academy and many citizens have at- 
tended to the adornment of their respective lots. 

A record of the present dimension of some of the familiar 
trees in this town will be of interest in the future, and will 
afibrd data from which the continued growth can be noted. 
In the summer of the present year (1886) the following 
measurements were made by Deacon William P. Ellis and 
George C. Foster, Esq. The several measures given denote 
the circumference of the tree at a distance of two feet from 
the ground. 



GLEANINGS. 573 

A stately elm near the residence of Charles Winchester 
measures 14^^ feet. Tradition asserts that this tree was 
planted 1756. An English linden near the residence of 
Mrs. Ivers White, planted over eighty years ago, measures 
S^ feet. An elm on the gi'ounds of Elbridge Stimson, and 
near the land of J. L. Cummings, Esq., measures 5^ feet. 
This tree, then two inches in diameter, was planted by Pyam 
Burr in 1857. An oak, near the Congregational church and 
east of the horse shed of George Clark, was planted by 
Edward Sawyer about thirty years ago. It measures 5y^ 
feet. In 1847 Rev. Elnathan Davis set two small maples in 
front of the house now of Martin B. Lane. Each measures 
5j^ feet. An elm planted by Walter O. Parker, in 1880, 
then less than three inches in diameter, now measures 2^ 
feet. An elm planted by George C. Foster, in 1881, has 
increased in circumference 15 inches in five years. An elm 
at the corner of Main and Pleasant streets was set by the 
Village Improvement Society in 1881, and was then about 
two inches in diameter. It now measures li^ feet. Two 
elms planted about one hundred years ago by Deacon Shere- 
biah Hunt, in front of the residence of Albert T. Bemis, 
measure respectively 10 and 12 feet. Two elms at the farm 
now of Joseph H. Harris, which were planted by Samuel 
Wilder, Esq., measure respectively 12 j^ and 12|f feet. 
Two attractive maples at the residence of Dr. L. L. Whit- 
more, one near the barn and one at the other side of the 
highway, were planted 1850. They now measure 4 and 
4^ feet. A native oak in the yard of Joseph E. Clark 
measures 10^^ feet. The stately elm near the residence of 
Elijah Gross measures 13^^^ feet. This tree was planted by 
Asa Brooks, son of Simeon Brooks, about ninety years ago. 
Near by stands a thrifty elm planted 1876, by Miss Sarah 
W. Gross, measures 2-^^ feet, and an oak planted about 
1860 measures 5^y feet. 



Ijaralogial 'x^flilter. 



Genealogical Register 



THE EARLY FAMILIES OF ASHBURNHAM. 



INTRODUCTION. 



Those who assume that nothing is gained from a study of 
the characteristics of their ancestors ignore at the outset that 
possibly an unfilial nature underlying such indifference was 
inherited, and through the influence of transmitted sentiment 
they deceive themselves in the conclusion that there is no 
inheritance in manner of thought. Under the equalities of 
republican institutions, and in the absence of laws of primo- 
geniture and hereditary distinction, the selfish incentive to 
genealogical study fails and only a filial sentiment and an 
amiable desire lend pleasure and encouragement to these 
researches. The familiar type of character which has 
attended many of these families through successive genera- 
tions and the influence of marriage alliance have presented 
many opportunities for a study which has enlivened the labor 

37 577 



578 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

involved in those registers. With a sympathy akin to pity 
for many who had preserved no knowledge of their ancestors, 
I have made a willing etfort to extend and complete a defective 
record. In gathering the material for the following registers, 
fifteen hundred letters soliciting information have been written 
and many public and private records have been attentively 
perused. The records of the older towns, the former homes 
of the early settlers of Ashburnham, have aiforded valuable 
information, while cemeteries and probate records have 
supplied many deficiencies. 

To present the record of the generations of many of the 
families previous to their removal to this town has invited 
research and labor and has been attended with a regret that 
of a few of the early families such a record could not be 
secured. 

If it is presumed by any that too little attention has been 
bestowed upon those families who have recently removed to 
this town, or to the younger generation of the present in- 
habitants, the compass of the volume will plead excuse, and 
in some instances a failure to secure the record is the only 
reason for its absence. 

Many will presume that they discover errors in the multi- 
tude of dates contained in the following pages. It is feared 
that in some instances such conjecture will be sustained by 
the facts, but it should be borne in mind that frequently 
public records and family registers present contradictory 
dates of the same event. The record which has passed 
through the least number of copies has generally been 
accepted. I am aware that critics too hastily will assume 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTEE. o79 

that records in their possession are correct. Experience in 
these pursuits leads one to presume that an error may exist 
in any record. Ev^en the dates carefully chiselled in marble 
are not infallible. In one instance, at least, the records of 
this town demonstrate that a former worthy citizen paid 
taxes, held town office and shared the vicissitudes of a vigor- 
ous earthly existence several years after the date solemnly 
attested by the headstone erected to his memory. 

Referring to places the town and State are given, but in 
the frequent mention of towns in Massachusetts and the 
border towns of Rindge and New Ipswich, the State is 
l)urposely omitted. 

To Charles A. Bemis, author of the History of Marl- 
borough, New Hampshire ; Rev. William S. Hey wood, who 
has in preparation a History of Westminster; F. E. Blake, 
familiar with the annals and traditions of Princeton ; 
Charles F. Packard of Ashburnham, who has furnished 
several registers, and Horatio Hill, Esq., of Chicago, 
Illinois, for information of the Hill and collateral families, 
I am greatly indebted for polite favors and valuable assist- 
ance. Other favors are acknowledged in connection with 
the family registers, which through valuable contributions 
are rendered more complete. 



EXPLANATIONS. 



In these registers the parents' name standing at the head 
of a paragraph is given in full, and printed in small capitals. 
The Christian names of the children only are given, and are 
printed in Italic, and are numbered in Roman numerals, i, 
II, III, etc. Whenever the names of their children or grand- 
children of the person whose name introduces the paragraph 
appear, they are indented, printed in lower case, and are 
numbered in Arabic figures, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. The numbers 
in the margin are consecutive ; persons bearing the same 
family name are numbered in the order in which they are 
introduced. The character -|- after a person's name in- 
dicates that the name is thereafter repeated, and can be 
easily found by following down the margin until the same 
number appears enclosed in parenthesis. 

Abbreviations. — b. stands for born ; bap. for baptized ; 
d. for died ; md. for married ; unmd. for unmarried ; dau. 
for daughter; s. p., or sine prole, for without offspring; 
q. V. for which see, or see the name of the person to whom 
the letters apply in the register of that family. 



Genealogical Register. 



ABBOTT. 

In the early history of the town there were two families bearing this name. 
Tliey were influential in securing the annexation of a part of this town to 
Ashby in 1792. With their lands and earthly possessions they subsequently 
constituted a part of that town. 



1 



10 



John Abbott settled in the northeast part of this town 
about 1780. The farm is now in Ashby. He was an 
ensign in the militia, and while he remained a citizen of 
this town he was frequently named in the records. He 
md. Nov. 28, 1782, Martha Whiting, dau. of Samuel and 
Sarah (Stevens) Whiting oi" Billerica. He d. in Ashby 
Aug. 16, 1805. Five children b. in Ashburnham and 
three in Ashby. 

I. Patty, b. Aug. 30, 1783; d. 1805. 
II. Polly, b. April 23, 1785 ; d. 1793. 
in. Sally, b. May 27, 1787. 
IV. Betsy, b. March 22, 1789. 

V. Nancy, b. Jan. 7, 1791, 

VI. John, b. Dec. 5, 1792. 
VII. Polly, b. Jan. 29, 1795. 

VIII. Charles, d. 1805. 



Jeremiah Abbott, probably a brother of John, resided 
here several years and was also annexed to Ashby 1792. 
He md. Nov. 2^, 1789, Patty Jaquith of Wilmington. 
The oldest child was b. in this town. 

Patty, b. Aug 29, 1790. 
Jeremiah, b. Feb. 15, 1792. 
Benjamin, b. Jul}' 10, 1793. 
Doily, b. April 15, 1795; d. 1801. 
Betsey, b. Feb. 17, 1797. 
Obed, b. Sept. 3, 1799. 

581 



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II. 


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III. 


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V. 


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VI. 



5H2 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



ADAMS. 

This has been a prominent and honored name in the annals of Ashbiirnham. 
There are several distinct families of Adams in New England, but the numer- 
ous families bearing the name in this town have a common lineage. All of 
them belong to the Cambridge family and are descendants of Capt. Thomas 
Adams who was b. 1713. The emigrant ancestor was John Adams, a son of 
Henry Adams of Devonshire, England. He was md. in England, and there one 
or more of his children were b., but he was residing in Cambridge as early as 
1650, where several other children were b. He was a millwright and d. 1706, 
aged 85. His widow Ann was living 1714. Among their six children was 
Joseph Adams, who in 1607 received from his father a deed of the homestead 
which was near the present railway station in Arlington Centre. He md. 
Feb. 21, 1687-8, Margaret Fames, dau. of Thomas and Mary (Blanford) 
Fames. He d. July 20, 1701, and his widow md.Dec. 27, 1705, Daniel Dean 
of Concord. There appears no record of the birth of the children of Joseph 
and Margaret Adams, but there appears no evidence to qualify the statement 
of Cutter's History of Arlington that they had a son Joseph who is known in 
Cambridge records as Lieut. Joseph Adams, and who was b. 1688 or 1689. 
He md. Jan. 18, 1710-11, Rebecca Cutter, dau. of William and Rebecca 
(Rolfe) Cutter. She d. Jan. 12, 1717-8, leaving four children ; and by second 
wife, Rachel, there were five children, Lieut. Adams was a selectman of 
Cambridge several years, precinct treasurer fifteen years, and in 1750 he was 
one of a committee to renew the bounds of Cambridge farm in this town. 
He d. Oct. 18, 1774, aged 86. 



Capt. Thomas Adams, of the fourth generation, a 
son of Lieut. Joseph and Eebecca (Cutter) Adams, was 
b. in Cambridge, now Arlington, Aug. 20, 1713. About 
1735, he removed to Worcester, where he resided until 
1752, when he returned to Cambridge. He was an inn- 
holder, an active, influential citizen, and was frequently 
chosen to positions of responsibility and trust. In the 
French and Indian War he commanded a company of 
men enlisted from Cambridge and the towns in that 
vicinity which was in the service eight months. Upon 
their return with the loss of only one man, Rev. Samuel 
Cook preached a sermon Nov. 12, 1758, commemorating 
the event. 

In 17G4 Capt. Adams was precinct committee man and 
assessor, and the same year he was one of a committee 
chosen to sell the Cambridge farm in Ashburnham, of 
which he subsequently owned the larger portion. 

Capt. Adams removed to Ashburnham in 1778 and con- 
tinued a residence in this town with little, if any, inter- 
ruption until his death. He occupied a part of Cambridge 
farm in the southeast part of the town, and during the 
later years of his life his son Ebeuezer Thomas resided 
with him. He was chosen surveyor of the highways in 
1779 and his name is found on all the existing tax lists 
from 1778 to 1S02. The fact that he was not taxed in 
Menotomy after 1777 and was not named in the seating of 
the meeting-house in 1781, has called forth an expression 
of surprise from the local historians. An easy explanation 



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3 


II. 


4 


III. 


5 


IV. 



(4) 



GENEALOGICAL EEGISTEll. 533 

is found in tlie fact of liis residence during tliese years 
in tliis town. 

He nid. Sept. 22, 1737, Anna Frost, dau. of Ephraim 
and Sarab (Cooper) Frost of Meuotoniy. SJie d. Oct. 
6, 1740. He md. (2d) Lydia Cliadwick, dau. of John 
Ciiadwick of Worcester ; slie d. 1748. He md. (3d) Sept. 
13, 1754, Elizabetli (Sanders) Bowman, widow of 
Ebenezer Bowman. They lived to advanced age and d. 
the same year. She d. March 26, 1802, aged, says Mr. 
Gushing, '' between 80 and 90 j^ears." He d. Nov. 9, 
1802, aged 89 years. 

Joseph., b. Oct. 6, 1740 ; d. same day. 

Hannah, b. April 13, 1743 ; md. Walter Russell. 
q. v.; md. (2d) Enos Jones, q. v. 

John, b. Jan 22, 1 744-5. -f- 

Lydia, b. Aug. 20, 1755 ; md. Lemuel Blanchard, 
b. in Billerica July 1, 1749 ; son of John and 
Elizabeth (Richardson) Blanchard. They re- 
sided in Cambridge where he was styled a 
trader, and where he d. about 1790. She md. 
(2d) July 30, 1795, Joseph Thorndike, Esq., u 
prominent citizen of Jaffrey, N. H. He d. 
June 25, 1814. She survived him, but the date 
of her death is unknown. By the first marriage 
she had two children and perhaps others. 

1. Thomas, b. April 20, 1779. 

2. Son, b. April 27, 1783. 

V. Lucretia, b. Aug. 2, 1757 ; md. Ethan Wetherbee. 

q. V. 
VI. Ebenezer Thomas, b. Jan. 10, 1762,-|- 



JoHN Adams was the first of the family in Ashburnham 
where he resided over seventy years. Vide Chapter XX. 
He md. Jul}' 9, 1770, Joanna Munroe, b. April 12, 1747, 
dau. of Jonas and Joanna (Locke) Munroe and a sister 
of Lieut. Ebenezer Munroe who subsequently resided in 
this town. She d., leaving nine children, Nov. 26, 1822. 
He md. (2d) 1826, Lucy (Simonds) Munroe, widow of 
Lieut. Ebenezer Munroe. He d. at Harford, Peun., Feb. 
26, 1849, aged 104 3'ears, 1 mouth and 4 days. 

John, b. April 27, 1771.-(- 

Levi, h. Dec. 31, 1773.-f- 

Joanna, b. June 18, 1775; md. Stephen Corey. 

q. V. 
Jonas R., b. April 8, 1777. -|- 
James, b. June 10, 177!).-(- 



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III 


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IV 


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V 



584 



HISTORY OF ASHBUKNHAM. 



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(11) 



VI. Rebecca, b. Feb. 22, 1781; md. May 28, 1807, 

Joel Davis, q. v. 
VII. Walter Russell, b. April 5, 1783.-|- 
VIII, Betsy, b. Oct. 30, 1785 ; d. unmd. 
IX. Polly, b. Jan. 25, 1789 ; md. David Gushing, g. v. 



Ebenezer Thomas Adams, 3'oungest son of Capt. Thomas 
Adams, removed to this town with his father and settled 
on Cambridge farm about 1778. He was a captain of the 
militia. He was a man of marked ability and influence. 
He md. June 20, 1784, Polly Goodwin, b. 1763, dan. of 
Thomas and Mary (Miller) Goodwin of Charlestown. 
He d. Aug. G, 1804 ; his widow d. Feb. 24, 1815. 

I. Ebenezer, b. May 16, 1785.-f- 
II. Polly, b, Oct. 15, 1786; d. Nov. 16, 1786. 
HI. Stephen, b. Sept. 19, 1788.-|- 
IV. 3Iary, h, March 17, 1791 ; md. Gen. Ivers Jewett, 

q. V. 
V. Hepsibah, b. Sept. 29, 1793 ; md. Thomas Russell, 
q. V. 

VI. Eliza, b. Nov. 19, 1796 ; md. Capt. Timothy 

Stearns, q. v. 

VII. Thomas, b. Sept. 7, 1799; d. Jan. 2, 1801. 
VIII. Lydla, md. Gen. Ivers Jewett, q. v. 



Ensign John Adams, eldest son of John Adams, the 
centenarian, held many positions of trust. He was an 
ensign in the militia, and by this title he was distinguished 
in the records from his father and his eldest son who bore 
the same name. He md. Dec. 1, 1796, Dolly Gibson, 
dau. of Samuel Gibson. He d. Jan. 6, 1844 ; she d. 
May 20, 1835. 

I. Infant, b. Jan. 25, 1799 ; d. same day. 
II. John, b. April 7, 1803.+ 

III. Cinderilla, b. July 25, 1806 ; md. Amos D. Scol- 

lay, q. v. 

IV. Harriett, b. Feb. 16, 1809 ; md. Merrick Whitney, 

q. V. 
V. Dolly Gibson, b. June 25, 1811 ; md. Darwiu 

Woods, q. V. 
VI. Jane 3L,h. May 17, 1814; d. unmd. Nov. 9, 
1838. 



Levi Adams, son of John, md. 1798, Deborah Leland, 
b. 1778, dau. of Caleb and Deborah (Farrar) Leland of 
Leominster. She d. 1814; he md. (2d) Mrs. Hannah 
(Hale) Adams. He was a farmer and a tanner. A few 



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III. 


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V. 



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41 



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42 



43 
44 

45 



46 



GENEALOGICAL EEGISTER. 585 

years after his first marriage he removed to Leominster 
and later to Towusend. Late in life he removed to Har- 
ford, Penn., where he d. Ang. 2, 1845. Six children by 
first and one by second marriage. 

I. Deborah, b. Sept. 5, 1799 ; md. Asa P. Cowdin of 

Fitchburg. She d. his widow in this town, Jan, 

10, 1877. 
3mton, b. 1801. + 
Caroline, b. Nov. 11, 1804; md. Feb. 21, 1826, 

Ezra Baker, a worthy citizen of Jaffrey, N. H. 

Two children. 

1. Milton, b. July 23, 1830; resides unmd. 
in Jaffre3\ 

2. Mahala, b. Aug. 15, 1833 ; md. George A. 
Underwood of JaflTrey. 

Levi, b. Sept. 18, 1806 ; d. July 19, 1825. 

Mary, b. March 13, 1811 ; resides unmd. in this 
town. 

Nancy, b. March 17, 1813; md. May 1, 1833, 
George W. Hunt, son of Joel and Clara (Met- 
calf) Hunt. The}^ resided several years in 
Fitchburg. In 1856 they removed to Lawrence, 
Kansas. He d. March 22, 1870. Six children. 

Amos H., b. Aug. 11, 1824; resides in Pennsyl- 
vania. 



Jonas R. Adams, son of John, was twice married, but 
no record has been secured. In early life he removed to 
Pennsylvania, and in 1836 he removed with his family to 
Illinois and settled about twenty miles from Chicago in 
the township of Lisle and near the post office of Downer's 
Grove. He was a farmer. About 1856 he visited his 
native town and witnessed with mingled pain and pleasure 
the ravages and improvements of j'ears. He d. a few 
years later. Only an imperfect record of his children can 
be given. 

I. James L., b. 1806 ; resided a few years with his 

father and returned to Pennsylvania. He was 
postmaster at Brooklj-n, Penn., many years. 
He d. suddenly, 1885. 

II. Nancy, md. Alexander Foster, 
ill. Eliza, md. Race. 

IV. Amos, I). 1825 ; in 1848 was a lawyer in Chicago, 

subsequently he removed to California and h:is 
been successful. 

V. Albert, b. 1827 ; removed to California. 



586 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



47 
(14) 



VI. Mary E., b. 1834. 



James Adams, son of John, resided in Ashbnrnliam 
until 1834, when he removed to Harford, Penn. He md. 
June 22, 1800, Dolly Uickerson, dau. of Amos Dickerson, 
q.v.; she d. Jan. 18, 1818; he md. (2d) 1819, Lucy 
Sawtelle. He d. April 30, 1855; she d. Sept. 21, 1864. 
It was with this son that the aged father passed the de- 
clining years of a prolonged and useful life. 




OLD ADAMS HOMESTEAD — EAST PART OF TOWN. 



-^j^(^' 



48 

49 

50 
51 
52 

53 
54 



55 



I. Nancy, md. 1819, Loring Gates, son of John 

Gates, q. v. 

II. Dolly, b. Sept. 5, 1802 ; md. 1820, Luther Brooks, 

Jr., q. V. 

III. James, b. Nov. 24, 1804. -|- 

IV. Elizabeth D., md. John Boynton of Groton. 

\. -Jonas, was a farmer in Harford, Penn.; md. 
Emeline Tifflny. He d. about 1877. 

1. EUzabeth, md. Henry Estabrook ; d. 1882. 

2. Sumner, md. Barnard; resides on 

paternal homestead. 

VI. Joanna, md. Laban Capron ; resided in Harford, 
Penn. ; d. about 1865. 



56 
57 

58 
59 
60 

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61 
62 



63 
64 
65 



68 
69 



71 



GENEALOGICAL KEGISTER. 537 

VII. JoJm, h. about 1821 ; mcl. Peck; resides in 

Harford, Peun. 
VIII. Andrew Jackson, resided in Asbburuham from 
1845 to 1850 ; returned to Harford, Penn. ; md. 
Sarab Jane Saw3'er, dau. of Abel Sawyer, q. v. 

IX. Estella, md. Henry Jeffers ; resides in Brooklyn, 

Peun. 

X. /Sarah, md. Hubbard N. Smith ; resides in Lenox, 

Penn. 
XI. William, resides in Hopbottom, Penn. 



(19) 



Walter Russell Adams, youngest son of John, was a 
prosperous farmer in this town. He was an ensign in the 
Asbburuham Light Infantry when the company was in the 
service in 1814. He md. Feb. 7, 1804, Mercy Fairbanks, 
dau. of Cyrus Fairbanks, q. v.; she d. March 7, 1853. 
He md. (2d) 1851, Mrs. Abigail (Fairbanks) Patch, a 
sister of his first wife. He d. Sept. 22, 1868 ; his wife d. 
1866. 

I. Walter, b. Nov. 4, 1S07.+ 
II. Mary, b. Oct. 29, 1808; md. May 19, 1836, Asa 

Ames, son of Bulkley and Lydia (Prescott) 

Ames of Grotou, where he d. April 14, 1846. 

She md. (2d) 1847, Calvin Childs of Groton ; 

she d. June 19, 1864. Two children by first 

and one by second marriage. 

1. Mary Augusta, b. March 28, 1837 ; resides 

in Ashburnham. 

2. Sarah Jane, b. Oct. 12, 1,842; d. at 

Groton Sept. 22, 1848. 

3. Calvin Adams, b. June 12, 1848 ; d. June 

20, 1849. 



66 III. Eliza, b. Aug. 26, 1810 ; d. June 10, 1815. 

67 IV. Cyrus Hale, b. June 6, 1812; d. unrad. Nov. 22, 
1882. 

V. Joseph, b. July 26, 1816 ; d. July 28, 1818. 
VI. Joseph, b. Aug. 2, 1818.-|- 
70 VII. Eliza Elvira, b. March 3, 1823 ; md. April 24, 
1845, John M. Dexter, b. 1820, son of Samuel 
Dexter of Franklin, N. H. She d. at Town- 
send, s.p., Sept. 27, 1848. 
i^iii. Sarah Jane, b. Oct. 6, 1826 ; md. George G. 
Rock wood, q. V. 



P^BENEZER Adams, son of Capt. Ebenezer Thomas 
Adams, md. July 13, 1806, Peggy Russell, dau. of Thomas 



588 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



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81 

82 

83 

84 
85 

86 



and Margaret (Adams) Rnssell, q. v. He was a farmer 
and a citizen of good repute. He d. Dec. 18, 1824. His 
widow md. (2d) Ensign Asa Woods, q. v. 

Catherine, b. and d. Nov. 11, 1807. 
Ivers, b. Dec. 30, 1808.+ 
Thomas Russell, b. Aug. 30, 1811.-|- 
James Eussell, b. Marcli 23, 1814. He d. unmd. 
May 4, 1847. He resided in Washington, D. 
C, and in Keutucli}' wliere he was known as a 
young man of ability and scholarly attainment. 
Mary Goodwin, b. April 13, 1817; md. June 27, 
1837, Franklin Mclntire, b. Jan. 30, 1813, son of 
David Mclntire of Fitchburg, and subsequently 
of Springfield, Vt. Mr. Mclntire was engaged 
several years in teaching school, residing in this 
town and in Fitchburg. She d. in Fitchburg 
June 17, 1845. He md (2d) Elvira Works and 
was an extensive farmer in Springfield, Vt. He 
d. in Charlestown, N. H., where he had resided 
a short time, March 26, 1886. By the first 
marriage, there were three children. 

1. Mary Caroline, b. Dec. 28, 1837; md. 
Lincoln Whitney, son of Merrick Whit- 
ney, q. V. 

2. Catherine, b. April 14, 1839; d. Sept. 2, 
1847. 

3. James F., b. 1841 ; d. in the war April 
20, 1864. 

Wa7're7i, b. Feb. 11, 1820 ; removed to California ; 
d. unmd. 



VI. 



Stephen Adams, son of Capt. Ebenezer Thomas 
Adams, md. Oct. 5, 1813, Hannah Wheeler, dau. of John 
and Hannah Wheeler. He resided in Fitchburg from 
about 1813 to 1820 and subsequently in Ashby where he d. 

I. Laura M., b. July, 1814; md. 1832, William Up- 

ton of Townsend. 

1. Stephen W. S., b. 1835 ; resides in Town- 

send. 

2. Sarah Marion, b. 1836 ; md. Amos A. 

Green. 

3. George, d. young. 

4. George A.,b. 1845 ; resides in Townsend. 

II. Hannah E., b. May, 1816; md. 1837, William 



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88 

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90 

91 
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96 

97 

98 

99 
100 

101 
102 

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103 



104 

105 
106 



107 



108 
109 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 58!) 

Sheldon of Ashby. She d. and he md. (2d) 
Mrs. Mary (Perley) French. 

1. Mary E., b. May, 1842 ; d. unmd. 

2. William Sullivan, b. April, 1845. 

in. Mary J., b. March, 1818; md. 1844, Stephen 
Wyman of Ashby. 

IV. Stephen S., b. June, 1820; md. 1844, Martha 

Barrett. 

1. Martha F., b. Oct., 1846. 

2. Mary A., b. April, 1849. 

3. Stephen F., b. March, 1859. 

V. Harriet W. (twin), b. June, 1820; md. 1845, 

Ivers Adams, q. v. 
VI. Sophronia E., b. Oct., 1822 ; d. young. 
VII. George L., b. Feb., 1825 ; md. Adaline Andrews. 

He resides in Ashby. 

1. George E., b. April, 1851. 

2. Addie S., b. May, 1854. 

VIII. Martha A., b. Aug., 1827 ; d. unmd. 
IX. Sophronia E.,h. March, 1830; md. 1858, Henry 
A. Woods. 

1. Henry R., b. Aug., 1856. 

2. Guy, b. March, 1866. 



John Adams, sou of Ensign John Adams, md. Oct. 4, 
1826, Lucy Caldwell, dau. of John Caldwell, q. v.; she d. 
Aug. 18, 1845. He md. (2d) April 1, 1846, Laura (Con- 
stantine) Bennett, dau. of Jacob Coustantine, q. v., and 
widow of Asa Bennett, q. v. He d. Jan. 27, 1881. She 
d. Nov. 14, 1878. 

I. Lucy Ann, b. April 22, 1827 ; md. April 13, 1847, 

John H. Danby ; reside in Fitchburg. Four 
children . 

II. Infant, b. and d. May 31, 1829. 

III. Infant, b. and d. July 4, 1831. 

IV. George Francis, b. Jan. 19, 1833 ; md. Jan. 1, 

1856, Rebecca Raymond. Reside at Indian- 
apolis, Ind. Two childi'en. 

V. Mary Avgmta, b. Jan. 22, 1835 ; md. Dec. 9, 

1860, Mason J. Osgood ; reside at Indianapolis, 
Ind. Three children. 

VI. Ellen Amelia, b. Dec. 8, 1837; d. Jan. 6, 1854. 
VII. Harriet Maria, b. Feb. 18, 1840 ; md. June 14, 



590 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



110 



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112 

113 

(34) 



114 



115 
116 
117 

(50) 



IX. 
X. 



1860, William A. Hardy of Fitchburg ; she d. 

Aug. 14, 1877. Four children. 
Sarah Elizabeth, b. Aug. 14, 1842 ; md. Nov. 20, 

1874, Joseph Lee Hej'wood ; he was killed, 

Sept. 7, 1876, by burglars, in First National 

Bank, Northfield, Minn. She d. March 15, 

1884. 
Infant, b. and d. June 22, 1844. 
John Wesley, b. Ma}^ 17, 1847 ; md. Ella Stearns; 

reside in Winchendou. One child. 
Isabella M., b. April 25, 1849 ; d. June 3, 1850. 



Milton Adams, son of Levi Adams, resided in this 
town, in Danvers and Brighton, and in the State of New 
York. He md. Esther Gibson of Ashb}' ; she d. Nov. 5, 
1833. There were four children. 

I. Samuel G., b. Dec. 23, 1825. -He md. Martha 
Stoddard, (2d) P]lvira Warren and (3d) Harriet 
A. Patterson. He was engaged in business 
until 1861, when he was appointed on the police 
of the city of Boston. From 1878 to 1885, he 
ably and faithfully served the city as Superin- 
tendent of Police, and when, on account of fail- 
ing health, he resigned, the Commissioners 
accepted his resignation with the following ex- 
pression of their appreciation of his services : 
" Irreproachable in his private life and incor- 
ruptible in the performance of his public duties, 
Capt. Adams has honored his chosen profession 
and retires from office respected and esteemed 
by the community which he has served for so 
many years." He d. May 15, 1886. 
II. Esther'P.,\i. June 20, 1828 ; md. Hosea G. Stone, 
q. V. 

III. Roxanna, b. July 25, 1832; md. Nov. 2, 1851, 
Lucius H. Sabin of Gardner. 

rv. Elizabeth, resides unmd. in Ashburnham. 



James Adams, son of James Adams, md. in this town 
Sept. 20, 1827, MaryB. Whitney, dau. of Ohio Whitney, 
q. V. He was a farmer and a tanner. He established 
the business in tanning, subsequently conducted by L. B. 
and A. J. Adams, at Factory Village. In 1849 he 
removed with his family to Brooklyn, Penn. His wife d. 
Oct. 29, 1847. He md. (2d) April 12, 1848, Mary H. 
Smith who d. in Oct., 1884. He d. Dec. 25, 1880. All 
of his children were b. in this town. 



118 



119 

120 
121 



122 
123 
124 
(61) 



125 
126 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 591 

I. Luther B., b. Feb. 16, 1829; md. Oct. 13. 1850, 
Mary B. Samson, dau. of Jonathan Samson, q. v. 
He resides in this town and for several years 
was local superintendent of the Boston Chair 
Manufacturing Company. 

1. Flora Luella, b. Aug. 12; d. Oct. 16, 

1857. 

11. Dolly, b. Nov. 9, 1830; d. Aug. 31, 1833. 

III. Ohio Whitney, b, Jan. 9, 1833 ; md. May 26, 

1861, L. Angle Harding. He is a locomotive 
engineer and resides at New Hampton Junction, 
N. J. 

IV. Francis A., b. June 2, 1835 ; md. Dec. 22, 1860, 

Catherine Rinehart. He is a locomotive en- 
gineer and resides at Lebanon, N. J. 

V. James IF., b. Oct. 21, 1839 ; md. March 30, 1861, 
Sarah J. Perry. He is a farmer at Brooklyn, 
Penn. 

VI. Joseph Henry, b, Dec. 30, 1841 ; drowned Aug. 
4, 1845. 



127 

128 
129 
130 

(69) 



Walter Adams, son of Walter Russell Adams, was a 
carpenter in this town, and an esteemed citizen. He md. 
Jan. 1, 1834, Sarah Whitney, dau. of Ohio Whitney, 
q. V. He d. Jan. 7, 1876. Six childi'en. 

I. Ivers Whitney, b. May 20, 1838. + 
II. Walter Russell, b. Feb. 7, 1840. He has been 
much employed in town affairs and has been 
actively and successfully engaged in business 
pursuits. For several years has been a merchant 
in this town in the firm of Adams & Greenwood. 
He md. April 21, 1881, Mary Ella Pillsbury, 
dau. of Dr. Levi Pillsbury of Fitchburg. 

III. Sarah Adelaide, b. Feb. 26, 1843 ; md. July 25, 

1877, Charles A. Robbins, son of Charles 
Robbins of Mason, N. H. 

IV. Abbie Augusta, b. Jan. 14, 1846 ; d. Aug. 27, 

1848. 
V. Charles Francis, b. Oct. 21, 1849 ; d. unmd. Dec. 

19, 1876. 
VI. Willis Herbert, b. March 3, 1852 ; d. Aug. 27, 
1853. 



Joseph Adams, son of Walter Russell Adams, was 
formerly engaged in the morocco business in this town. 
He is the only grandson of John Adams the centenarian 



592 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



131 



132 



(73) 



13^ 



(74) 



134 



(126) 



remaining in Ashburnham. In his daily life he manifests 
the reliable qualities which have distinguished his family 
through many generations. He md. July 22, 1841, 
Dolly Winship Whitney, dau. of Ohio Whitney, q. v. 

I. Melvin Ohio, b. Nov. 7, 1847. He is an attorney 
and counsellor-at-law in Boston and assistant 
district-attorne}'. Vide Chap. XX. He md. 
Jan. 20, 1875, Mary Colony, dau. of Dr. 
George Colony of Fitchburg. 
11. Walter Hale, b. Nov. 11, 1851 ; d. Oct. 6, 1852. 

IvERS Adams, for many years, was actively engaged in 
the morocco business. The firm of Ivers & Thomas R. 
Adams was successful and maintained a good record and 
an excellent reputation in business circles. He repre- 
sented the town in the Legislature in the session of 1851, 
and in the conduct of town affairs he has been a useful 
and reliable citizen. He md. July 21, 1845, Harriet W. 
Adams, dau. of Stephen Adams of Ashby, q. v. She d., 
leaving one child, July 26, 1846. 

I. 3Iary Goodwin, b. May 21, 1846 ; md. March 31, 
1870, Hosea S. Whitney, son of Merrick Whit- 
ney, q. V. 

Thomas R. Adams, of the firm of Ivers & Thomas R. 
Adams, was a man of unblemished reputation. He md. 
1840, Jane Alona Russell, dau. of Walter and Alona 
(Lawrence) Russell, q. v. She d. Feb. 28, 1845. He d. 
Feb. 11, 1877. 



I. Thomas Benton, b. March 11, 1842. 
July 8, 1864. 



He d. unmd. 



Ivers Whitney Adams, son of Walter and Sarah 
(Whitney) Adams, is a descendant of the fifth generation 
from Capt. Thomas Adams and of the fourth generation 
from Silas Whitney, the progenitors of two prominent 
families of Ashburnham. In his boyhood and youth he 
attended the public schools of this town and supplemented 
these limited privileges with a few terms at the academies 
in this vicinity. In the meantime he found a more rugged 
employment on the farm and at work with his father at 
his trade. To train the son in the arts of the trade of a 
carpenter was the honest, 3'et mistaken, aim of the father. 
The youth, however, incited by an honorable ambition 
and with well-defined dreams of the future, had loftier 
aims and earl}' aspired to more inviting pursuits. At the 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 593 

age of nineteen years he left the parental roof. His only 
capital was good health, correct habits, a laudable 
ambition and the blessing of his parents. He found 
employment with Houghton, Saw^'er & Co., a leading 
dry-goods house of Boston, and was assigned to the 
carpet department of their business. The first year he 
received for his service one hundred dollars, the second 
year one hundred and fifty dollars, and the third year two 
hundred dollars. With little assistance from his parents 
he supported himself without indebtedness. It was a 
modest beginning, but in it appears the pivotal point in 
the life of Mr. Adams. In these years of toil and 
self-denial he found a perpetual incentive to broader 
pursuits. The force of will which has guided his 
subsequent career restrained the warm activities of youth 
and tutored him in the mastery of every detail of the 
business. He remained with his early employers until 
the carpet department of their business was suspended. 
Immediately, in 1860, he entered the employ of .John H. 
Pray, Sons & Co. In this house he was rapidly advanced 
through successive positions, until he became the active 
member of this firm. The succeeding years of close 
application and sagacious management developed marked 
ability in building up and in the general direction of an 
extensive business. In 1882 he retired from the firm 
with a competence. It could hardly have been expected 
that a young and active merchant would long remain in 
an idle enjoyment of the substantial rewards of success. 
He was soon enlisted in other pursuits. He purchased a 
large interest in the American Net and Twine Company, 
a corporation of solid fame and established reputation. 
From a director he soon became president of the board 
and general manager of a corporation that gives employ- 
ment to five hundred persons and produces a larger 
annual product than that of any kindred manufactory in 
the world. 

Not yet fifty j^ears of age, it may safely be assumed 
that the measure of his success in business is not complete, 
and that years are remaining for the enjoyment and 
improvement of the rewards of untiring labor. The 
activities of Mr. Adams have not been exhausted in 
business pursuits. His ardent enthusiasm attends him in 
the hours of recreation. For many years he has been 
interested in the propagation of fish and he was the 
original purchaser, from the town of Ashburnham, of the 
lease of Lake Naukeag. He owns extensive salmon 
fisheries in New Brunswick and shooting grounds in 
Virginia. He is familiar with the rod and the gun and 

38 



594 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



135 



finds rest and healthful exercise in congenial sports. 

For many years Mr. Adams was connected with the 
church and parish of Rev. A. A. Miner, D. D., and is 
now a member of the Grove Hall church, Dorchester. 
He is chairman of its board of trustees and chairman of 
the board of directors of the Universalist Club of Boston. 

Mr. Adams is a man of genial manners and a ready 
appreciation of the demands of friendship and society. 
He combines qualities often found apart, — an ardent 
temperament and a steady purpose. In business, in the 
family and in society, his impulses are warm yet steady, 
and his friendship is strong and enduring. His residence 
is in Dorchester district, Boston. He md. Oct. 4, 1866, 
Sarah Elizabeth Shepard, dau. of James and Mary (Bel- 
cher) Shepard of Canton. Five of their six children are 
living. 



Nathaniel Adams, born about 1745, with his wife 
Lucy and three children, removed from Stow to this town 
1775. If he was related to the other families of Adams 
in this town, the fact does not appear. His wife d. May 
23, 1819, aged 71. He md. (2d) Nov. 17, 1822, Abigail 

Winchester, widow of Winchester; she d. May 22, 

1823 ; he d. Nov. 28, 1823. 

Lucy. 

Nathaniel. 

Betty., bap. 1776 ; md. Jonas Merriam, g. v. 

Samuel, bap. 1779 ; md. March 19, 1809, Mercy 

Sherwin, dau. of Capt. Asa Sherwin of Rindge. 
John, bap. 1781. 
Folly, bap. 1783. 
Fatty, bap. 1789 ; md. Dec. 12, 1805, Sylvanus 

Boynton of Winchendon. 

Ebenezer Ager, son of Ebenezer Ager of Rindge, 
resided in this town a few years, early in the present cen- 
tury. The name of his wife, probabl}', was Polly Howe. 
Two children wereb. in this town. He d. in Rindge about 
1810. 

I. 3fary Roive, b. March 5, 1804. 
II. Sojjhrojiia, b. Sept. 24, 1807. 



136 


I. 


137 


II. 


138 


III. 


139 


IV. 


140 


V. 


141 


VI. 


142 


VII. 



Dea. Zenas Allen, son of Benjamin and Asenath 
(Coleman) Allen, was b. in Ashby Nov. 4, 1805. His 
mother, Asenath Coleman, was a dau. of Benjamin and 
Susannah (Martin) Coleman. Vide Coleman and Martin 
registers. He removed to this town in early manhood and 



<2) 



GENEALOGICAL KEGISTER. 595 

here md. Sept. 11, 1827, Caroline Randall, dan. of David 
and Betsey (Hastings) Randall, q. v. In I80G be removed 
to Boston. He now resides in Hyde Park. He was a 
deacon of the Berkeley Street Congregational church and 
now of Hyde Park Congregational church. Caroline 
(Randall) Allen d. March 23, 1869. Dea. Zenas Allen 
md. (2d) Mrs. Charlotte (Clark) Sanders of New Ipswich, 
N. H. Two children. 

I. Charles Hastings, b. June 14, 1828.4- 
II. George Henry, b. Nov. 22, 1832 ; md. 1854, Emily 
A. Boyden, dau. of Samuel and Roxanna Boy- 
den of Boston ; md. (2d) 1864, Sarah E. Syl- 
vester, dau. of Robert and Sarah Sylvester of 
Hanover. 



Hon. Charles Hastings Allkn, a prominent citizen 
of Boston, continues a successful and honorable career in 
business and municipal affairs. In early life he was of 
the firm of Francis Skinner & Co., and later of the firm of 
Leland, Allen & Bates. In 1880, retiring from commer- 
cial pursuits, he was chosen president of the Home 
Savings Bank and remains at the head of that well-known 
and prosperous institution. In municipal and State affairs 
he has found frequent employment and has served the city 
and the State with ability and distinction. He was a 
member of the Common Council, 1867 and 1868, and of 
the Board of Alderman, 1885 and 1886. He was Presi- 
dent of the Council 1868, and is now Chairman of the 
Board of Aldermen. In 1878, 1879, 1880, he was a 
representative, and in 1881 and 1882 a member of the 
Senate. He md. July 2, 1849, Caroline F. Sanders, dau. 
of George Sanders of New Ipswich, N. H. 



2 
3 
4 
5 
6 

1 

1/^ 



Stephen Ames and wife, Abigail, are found residing in 
this town as early as 1761. He was an innholder in 1766, 
and resided near Rice pond. In 1776 he removed to 
Cockermouth Grant. This grant included the present 
town of Groton in New Hampshire, and a part of some 
of the surrounding towns. 

I. Stephen, b. Oct. 16, 1762. 

II. Jeremiah, b. April 25, 1765. 

III. Abigail, b. Nov. 8, 1767. 

IV. Abel, b. May 8, 1770. 

V. Sarah, b. Dec. 23, 1772. 



Timothy Angier removed to this town about 1780. He 
was a son of Benjamin and Sarah Angier and a grandson 



596 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



3 

4 

5 
6 

(4) 



of Joseph and Elizabeth Angier of Framingham, where he 
was b. Feb. 28, 1740. He ind. 1766, Mercy Haven, b. in 
Hopkinton, Nov. 3, 1746, dau. of Joshua and Mary 
Haven. She d. in this town Oct. 3, 1805; he md. (2d) 
April 16, 1807, Molly (Ames) Clark, widow of Daniel 
Clark, q. v. There is no .reason to presume that all the 
children are named in the following register. 

I. Sally, b. 1769; d. in this town unmd. Nov. 9, 

1857. 
II. Patty, md. Lemuel Kelton, q. v. 

III. Beiijamini-\- 

IV. Elijah, b-. about 1775 ; d. March 12, 1800. 
V. Obadiah, h. 1784; d. April 26, 1795. 



Benjamin Angier resided in this town until 1810. 
wife Anna, he had three children, all of whom d. in 
town. 

I. Elijah, b. March 5, 1802 ; d. Sept. 21, 1805. 

II. Hollis, b. Aug. 25, 1804; d. Sept. 22, 1805. 

III. Azebath, b. June 30, 1806 ; d. June 10, 1808. 



By 

this 



George Baker, b. in Westminster Aug. 27, 1808, re- 
moved to this town about 1835. He was a carpenter but 
was in the employ' several years of C. and G. C. Win- 
chester, in the manufacture of chairs. He md. April 27, 
1736, Cyreue Kibliug, dau. of Henry Kibling, q. v. He 
d. of cancer Jan. 28, 1881. She resides in Lane Village. 

I. Charles A., b. July 4, 1838 ; d. June 3, 1854. 
II. 3fary S., b. Oct. 20, 1848 ; d. same day. 



Bradish Baker, b. in Roxbury Oct. 10, 1808, md. 
May 14, 1833, Achsah (Bemis) Hart, widow of Lincoln 
Hart and dau. of Stephen Bemis, q. v. They resided in 
Dover and in Needham and since 1855 have lived in this 
town. 

I. George i., b. Feb. 17, 1834. Conductor on Bal- 
timore and Ohio R. R. ; resides in Chicago. 
II. Eliza J., b. Feb. 28, 1836; md. April 27, 1874, 
Shubael Ross Herrick, q. v. 

III. John X., b. April 13, 1839 ; d. Jan. 18, 1853. 

IV. Edwin Thompson, b. Oct. 20, 1843; a machinist; 

d. in Fitchburg, Feb. 12, 1882. 

Danfortii N. Baker, son of Stephen and Desire 
(Davis) Baker, was b. in Woodstock, Conn., June 6, 



GENEALOGICAL KEGISTEll. 



597 



10 

11 

12 



13 
14 
15 
16 

17 



1828, and removed in early life to this town where he md. 
May 29, 1860, Salura Brooks, dau. of Ira Brooks, q. v. 
Resides in Chapel street. 

I. Addie, b. Jan. 29, 1863. 
II. Ida E., b. March 28, 1866 ; d. Sept 16, 1869. 

E. J. BoARDMAN Baker, son of Jacob and Nabby (Per- 
kins) Baker, was b. in Enosburg, Vt., Feb. 27, 1821. He 
md. in Pltchburg, Dec. 3, 1846, Martha A. (Kinsman) 
Peikins, widow of William Perkins. At that time they 
removed to this town where she d. Sept. 9, 1882. There 
were four children of William and Martha A. Perkins, 
and one of E. J. B. and Martha A. Baker. 

I. Harriet (PerMns), b. May 18, 1835. 
II. Everett W. {Perkins), b. Aug. 26, 1837. 

III. Emily M. (Perkins), b. Jan. 27, 1840. 

IV. Frances H. (Perkins), d. Jan. 3, 1871. 

V. Eva E., b. July 28, 1854 ; resides with her parents. 



Barnard BALDVi^ix resided in the north part of the 
town. In 1818 he removed to Rindge where he d. June 
4, 1830. He was a farmer and a blacksmith and had a 
shop near the house where Aaron B. Bixby resides. 
The name of his wife was Mary, but no record of his 
marriage has been found. Perhaps all the children are 
not named. 

I. Elizabeth, b. Feb. 8, 1795; md. Benjamin Hart- 
well, son of Benjamin and Sarah (Sanderson) 
Hartwell. 

II. Sarah, b. Jan. 23, 1797. 

III. Samuel, b. Feb. 11, 1800; md. Mary F. Cook, 
dau. of John Cook, q. v. He resided several 
years on the Frederick Crosby place. He d. 
Aug. 6, 1862 ; she d. April 27,' 1875. A dau., 
Abigail, md. 1854, Luther P. Reed of Littleton ; 
md. (2d) 1877, John Q. Kinson of this town. 

lY. Josejyh. 



(BANCROFT. 

The Bancrofts of tliis town were from Gardner. The name appears 
continuously in the records since 1828. Harvey M. Bancroft and his cousin, 
Jonatlian O. Bancroft, are of tiie seventh generation of their family in tliis 
country. The emifirant ancestor, Lieut. Tliomas Bancroft, was b. in 
England 1G22. In H'Al , then a resident of Dedham, he md. Alice Bacon, 
who soon d. ; he md. (2d) Sept. 15, ICAS, Elizabeth Metcalf, and removed 
about 1650 to Reading, and subsequently to Lynnlield, where he d. Aug. 19, 
l(j91. He was a prominent man of his time, and the records bear frequent 



598 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



O 



and honorable mention of his name. The eldest son, Dea. Thomas Bancroft, 
was b. in Dedliiun, Sept. 24, 1(U9. He removed to Reading, where he md. 
April 10, 1G73, Sarah Poole, dan. of Jonathan Poole. He was a lieutenant, 
and is mentioned in "Mather's Magnolia " as having saved the garrison at 
Exeter from an assault by the Indians. He d. July 12, 1718; his widow d. 
May 20, 1723. Their second son, Raham Bancroft, was b. in Reading Feb. 
14, 1684. He md. Abigail Eaton, and (2d) Ruth Kendall. He was a 
prominent citizen and a deacon of the church. He d. 1758, aged 74 years, 
and to the record of his death his pastor appends — "That good man, 
my friend, Dea. Bancroft." Of his eight children, David Bancroft, a son 
by first wife, was b. in Reading Aug. 2, 1718. About 1740 he removed to 
Ward, now Auburn. He served in the French and Indian War, was a 
deacon, also a representative in the Provincial Congress 1774. He md. 
Eunice Bancroft, dau. of John and Mary (Clark) Bancroft of Lynnfield. 
He d. at Auburn April IG, 1782. Jonathan, the sixth child of David Ban- 
croft, was b. in May, 1750. He removed to Templeton, now Gardner, 1772, 
and there md. Aug. 30, 1774, Sarali Case of Sutton, who was the mother of 
all_ his children. She d. Feb. 17, 181G, and he md. (2d) 1817, Widow 
Elizabeth Bancroft of Phillipston. He served in the Revolution and was in 
the battles of Stillwater and Saratoga 1777. He d. suddenly Sept. 25, 1826. 
Smyrna Bancroft, son of Jonathan and Mary (Case) Bancroft, was b. May 15, 
1776. He was nine years of age when Gardner was incorporated, and was 
subsequently a selectman and assessor of that town. He md. Sarah Whitney, 
dau. of William and Mary (Mansfield) AVhitney of Winchendon. He d. in 
Gardner Aug. 5, 1818. ills son Harvey M. Bancroft for many years has 
resided in this town. Jonathan Bancroft, Jr , a brother of Smyrna, was b. 
in Templeton, now Gardner, Feb. 7, 1775. He md. Betsey Parker of 
Westford. He resided in Gardner, but his farm extended over the line into 
this town. He d. 1840. Three of his children have resided in this town. 
His son, Jonathan O. Bancroft, is number 4 in the following register. 
Another son. Dr. Jesse P. Bancroft, for many years the able superintendent 
of the Asylum for the Insane at Concord, N. H., resided with his brother a 
few years and from this town entered upon the active labors of a useful life. 
Sophia Bancroft, the wife of John C. Glazier, was a sister of Jonathan O. 
and Dr. Jesse P. Bancroft. 



Harvey M. Bancroft, son of 8in3-rna and Sarah 
(Whitney) Bancroft, was b. May 1, 1803. He md. May 
1, 1828, Betsey C. Glazier, dau. of Lewis and Lnc}' 
(Keyes) Glazier. Tbe same 3'ear he removed to this 
town. Through a prolonged and blameless life he has 
lived in peace and has had no contention with his fellow- 
men. 

I. James //., b. April 1, 1829; md. May 29, 1855, 
N. Rebecca Laws of Westminster ; she d. Nov. 
1, 1879. Mr. Bancroft is a lawver in Worcester. 
II. Sarah W., b. Sept. 1, 1831 ; md" April 13, 1852, 
Samuel G. Piper of Lj-nn, where she d. July 13, 
1861. 



Jonathan O. Bancroft, son of Jonathan, Jr., and 
Betsey (Parker) Bancroft, was b. Sept. 12, 1806. For 
a few years he was associated with his brother-in-law, 
Jolin C. Glazier, in the manufacture of chairs at the 



9 
10 



11 



12 
13 
14 

15 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 599 

South Village, and subsequently removed to the Centre 
Village and became a partner in the chair business 
conducted by Woods, Stevens & Co. In 1833 he removed 
to Boston and was there engaged in the furniture trade. 
He md. Sept. 15, 1830, Lucinda Corey, dau. of Stephen 
Corey, q. v. 

William Barrell, b. in Scituate Feb. 5, 1776, md. 
April 18, 1802, Deborah Chittenden, and very soon after 
his marriage he removed to the north part of Westminster. 
A few years subsequently his farm was annexed to 
Ashburnham and he remained in this town until his death 
Oct. 5, 1860 ; she d. March 25, 1852. Her name was 
written Abigail in the records and also Deborah. 

I. William, b. July 7, 1803 ; d. unmd. in Ashburn- 
ham Feb. 7, 1850. 
II. Maria, h. Nov. 12, 1804; md. May 5, 1828, 
Nathan Wood of Westminster; she d. April 8, 
1850. 
III. Nalmm, b. April 9, 1807; md. Dec. 3, 1835, 
Martha A. Hinds. He resided in Westminster 
where he d. Dec. 20, 1874. 

1. Lucy, b. Aug. 4, 1840; md. Nov. 21, 

1861, George Dalrymple ; md. (2d) Oct. 
13, 1878, H. E. Smith; reside in 
Gran by. 

2. Euaua, b. Nov. 7. 1842 ; md. Chas. W. 

Whitney, 2d, q. v. 

3. William, b. Oct. 5, 1850; d. April 23, 

1864. 

IV. Betsey, b. March 6, 1810 ; d. unmd. May 6, 1847. 
V. Lucy, b. Jan. 10, 1812; d. April 9, 1814. 
VI. James, b. June 11, 1817; md. Mrs. Abbie Smith 
of Leominster. 



John Barrell, son of John Barrell of Westminster, 
md. Oct. 21, 1829, Caroline Crosby, dau. of Frederick 
Crosby, q. v., and from that date he resided in this town 
until he d. Aug. 22, 1841, aged 36 years. 

I. J^elson, b. Dec. 9, 1830; resides in Fitchburg. 
II. John F)xmcis, b. July 23, 1832. 
III. Otis, b. Feb. 23, 1835 ; md. 1857, Elvira L. Pratt ; 

resides in Westminster. 
IV. Elmer, b. May 16, 1837. 



600 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



16 



17 

18 



19 
20 

21 

22 



Joseph Benson Barkell, sou of Dea. Luther Barrell 
of Westminster, was I). Dec. 28, 1822 ; md. Nov. 4, 
1845, Harriet Elmira May, dau. of Sumner May, q. v. 
They resided in south part of the town and also in Westmin- 
ster. He d. Oct. 22, 1881 ; she resides at South Village. 



I. 
II. 



V. 



Tyler, b. May 26, 1847 ; d. 1848. 

Josejyh B., b. April 13, 1849 ; md. Nov. 28, 1871, 

Rosetta Petts of AVestminster ; resides at South 

Village. 
Herman, b. April 5, 1851 ; md. Sevrina N. Hill; 

resides in Iowa. 
Frank, b. July 26, 1853 ; md. Nov. 27, 1878, 

Nellie Whitney, dau. of Jonas M. Whitney of 

Westminster ; resides at South Village. 
Minnetta E., b. Nov. 29, 1855; md. John H. 

Alcott of Waltham. She d. July 19, 1882. 
Hattie Flora, b. March 8, 1857; md. Charles 

Wood, son of Stephen Wood, q. v. 



BARRETT. 

Early in the present century, the brothers Benjamin, Charles and Oliver 
Barrett removed to this town. They were b. in Ashby. About 1808 Joel 
Barrett, a distant relative, removed from Townsend. Their descendants are 
numerous and merit honorable mention in the annals of Ashburnham. In the 
following record of the lineage of the Barrett families, I am indebted to J. 
H. Potter of Concord. 

In 1640 Humphrey Barrett, with three sons, came from England and settled 
in Concord. Ho d. 1G(J2, aged 70; his wife Mary d. Aug. 15, 1663. Hum- 
phrey Barrett, Jr., b. in England 1630, nid. in Concord July 17, 1661, 
Elizabeth Payne who d. Dec. 21, 1674; he md. (2d) March 23, 1675, Mary 
Potter, dau. of Dea. Luke and Mary Edmands Potter. He was a deacon of 
the church in Concord and d. Jan. 3, 1716, aged 86. Mary, his wife, d. 
Nov. 17, 1713, aged 58. Benjamin, the second son of Dea. Humphrey and 
Mary (Potter) Barrett, b. May 7, 1681, md. Jan. 3, 1705, Lydia Minot; he d. 
Oct. 25, 1728, and she md. (2d) Samuel Stow. Benjamin, tlie oldest of the 
eight children of Benjamin and Lydia (Minot) Barrett, b. Nov. 15, 1705, md. 
Rebecca Jones. He d. Oct. 23, 1738, and she md. (2d) Dec. 22, 1740, Jonas 
Prescott of Westford. Of the four children of Benjamin and Rebecca 
(Jones) Barrett, Benjamin and Jonas settled in Asliby. Benjamin, b. Jan 9, 
1735, md. Nov. 24, 1761, Sarah Merriam of Lexington; he md. (2d) Feb. 
18, 1786, Hannah Jones who d. Dec. 8, 1831. He d. Sept. 14, 1811. There 
were six children of Benjamin and Sarah (Merriam) Barrett of whom the 
oldest was Benjamin, b. June 21, 17C2. He md. Bridget Lawrence, who d. 
1793. He md. (2d) 1794, Riioda (Stearns) Wheeler, dau. of Thomas and 
Betty (Manning) Stearns and widow of Amos Wheeler. There were seven 
children by the first and two by the second marriage. These children were 
of the seventh generation in America. The continued record of Benjamin, 
Col. Charles and Oliver, sons of Benjamin and Bridget (Lawrence) Barrett 
is given in the following register. 

Joel Barrett, who came from Mason, N. H., to Ashburnham about the 
same time, was a distant relative. His lineage is traced from Thomas 
another son of Humphrey, the emigrant ancestor. This son Thomas and wife 
Margaret resided in Chelmsford where he d. Aug. 8, 1668. Joseph, son of 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



601 



Thomas and grandson of Humphrey the emigrant, nid. Sept. 17, 1672, 
Martha Gould who d. Mav 15, 1G9S. He d. 1711. Josepli, son of Joseph, was 
b. in Chehusford Feb. 24, 1090; he md. March 24, 1714, Mary Taylor. Of 
their eight children Keuben was b. 1729. He md. June 19, 1750, Sarah 
Fletcher of Chelmsford and removed to Northborough, and subsequently to 
Mason, N. H., where he d. Sept. 19, 1800, His son, Joel Barrett, of the 
sixth generation, resided in Ashburnham and is number 37 in the following 
register. 



9 
10 

11 



12 



13 



Benjamin Bakkett, sou of Benjamin and Bridget 
(Lawrence) Barrett, was b. in Asliby June 18, 178G. He 
removed to this town 1807, and md. Feb. 7, 1809, Nancy 
Stone, dan. of Oliver Stone, q. v. He served iu tlie War 
of 1812. Iu 1830 be removed to Fitcbburg, and subse- 
queutl}' to Newport, N. H., where lie d. Aug. 3, 1837. 
His widow d. 1866. 

I. Oliver Stone, b. Dec. 9, 1809 ; d. Nov. 10, 1810. 

II. Wancy Stone, b. Dec. 14, 1811 ; d. Sept. 17, 1828. 

in. Jose2)h, b. Jan. 13, 1813; md. Feb. 10, 1840, 

Louisa Newton of Newport, N. H. He resides 

iu Lunenburo;. Five children. 
IV. 3Ianj, b. Aug. 24, 1815 ; d. Nov. 8, 1816. 
V. Mary, b. July 26, 1817; md. Dec. 31, 1839, 

Samuel Dexter Smith ; she d. Dec. 31, 1839. 
VI. Lucy, b. June 28, 1819 ; md. June 14, 1842, Martin 

Johnson. They reside in Lunenburg. Five 

children. 
VII. Ephraim S., b. Aug. 24, 1821 ; d. Nov. 20, 1821. 
VIII. Benjamin, b. Oct. 4, 1822; d. April 24, 1823. 
IX. Edward S., b. Feb. 17. 1824 ; md. June 23, 1860, 

Nancy Brigham ; resides at Concord, N. H. 
X. Jidia 31., b. March 8, 1826; md. April 9, 1849, 

Samuel C. White ; reside at Bergen Point, N. 



J. P^our children. 
Caroline, b. Feb. 15, 
Francis A. White, 
children. 



1828; md. June 25, 1851, 
Reside in Biookline. Four 



Col. Chakles Barrett, son of Benjamin and Bridget 
(Lawrence) Barrett, was b. in Ashby Feb. 21, 1788. 
He md. in this town Sept. 19, 1811, Sarah Hastings, dau. 
of Charles Hastings, q. v.; she d. Ma}^ 7, 1815, and he 
md. (2d) Aug. 5, 1816, Betsey Johnson, dau. of Ephraim 
Johnson of Leominster. She was b. in West Newbury 
May 1, 1799, and d. Nov. 19, 1862. He d. June 8, 1885, 
aged 97 years. Col. Barrett removed to Ashburnham 
1809 and resided here through a prolonged and useful 
life. He was urbane, affable and kind. He adhered 
firmly to his own convictions and opinions, yet his course 



602 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



14 



15 



20 



21 

22 

23 
24 



in social and public affairs was tempered with forbearance 
and an appreciative regard for the opinion and wishes of 
his associates. JManifesting at all times a deep interest 
in the welfare and prosperity of the town, he was a stead- 
fast and consistent promoter of social reform and public 
enterpri'ie. He was frequently elected to positions of 
trust and his name is many times repeated in the list of 
town officers. He represented the town in the Legislature 
in 1827, 1828 and 1843. He was commander of the Ash- 
burnham Light Infantry and colonel of the Ninth Regi- 
ment of Militia. His military record and that of his 
brothers and sous appear in Chapters XVIII and XIX. 

I. Charles Hastings, b. June 22, 1812 ; md. March 
17, 1836, Emma H. Flint, dau. of i:benezer 
Flint, q. v.; she d. May 25, 1865 ; he md. (2d) 
1868, Ann Eliza (Alden) Gardner, widow of 
William Gardner. He resides in Norwood and 
is proprietor of Norwood House, 
ir. Surah Jewett, b. Jan. 28, 1814 ; md. Mirick Stira- 
son, q. V. 

Francis Johnson, b. Aug. 7, 1817.-}- 

Elizaheth Follansbee, h. Sept. 21, 1819 ; d. Aug. 
27, 1837. 

Abmra OJiilds, b. Feb. 12, 1823 ; d. Aug. 25, 1837. 

George Henry, b. Nov. 28, 1833.-|- 



Oliver Barrett, a bi'other of Benjamin and Col. 
Charles Barrett, was b. in Ashby Jan. 31, 1790. He md. 
Jan. 14, 1812, Betsey Stone, dau. of Oliver Stone, g. ?;. 
In 1832 he removed to Lowell and subsequently to Shirley'. 
His wife d. Sept. 20, 1842, and he md. (2d) 1843, Mrs. 
Sophia Wheeler. He d. in Shirley Feb. 8, 1880. He was 
a deacon of tbe Baptist church thirty years and a useful 
citizen. Twelve children by first marriage ; one by 
second marriage d. in infancy. 

I. Oliver Stoue, b. July 13, 1812 ; md. Sept. 2, 1S34, 
Lucy Wyman ; md. (2d) Josephine Chirk ; 
residence Maiden. 
II. John Otis, b. April 18, 1815; md. April 13, 1839, 
Harriet S. Richardson, who d. Dec. 19, 1873 ; 
resides in Townsend. 

III. Cynthia Eliza, b. March 24, 1817; md. Sept il, 

1843, Joseph J. Waters ; she d. June 1, 1862. 

IV. George Be)ijamin. b. May 10, 1819 ; md. Nov. 24, 

1857, Nancy Haradon who d. Aug. 2, 18G1. 
He md. (2d) Anna Potter ; he d. about 1870. 



16 


III. 


17 


IV. 


18 


V. 


19 


VI. 



25 
26 

27 

28 
29 
30 

31 
32 

(16) 



33 
34 
35 

(19) 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 603 

V. Clarissa Davis, b. May 22, 1821 ; rad. Adolplius 

Priest ; resides in Shirley. 
VI. Thomas Parker, b. July 5, 1823 ; md. March 2G, 

1848, Sophia Sawtelle. He d. in Maiden Jan. 

27, 1872. 

VII. Ephraim Cohleigh, b. July 26, 1825 ; md. Martha 

Tenney of Littleton ; she d. July 17, 1877. He 
md. (2d) Mrs. Hannah Nutting. Resides in 
Waltham. 

VIII. Emihj Augxtsta, b. Aug. 8, 1827 ; d. July 30, 1829. 
IX. Henry A., b. Sept. 7, 1830 ; d. Jan. 2, 1831. 

X. Emihj Ann, b. Nov. 14, 1831 ; md. William H. 
Potter of Fitch burg. 
XI. Nancy Stone, b. May 2, 1835 ; md. April 17, 1857, 
Oliver Norris who d. May 12, 1862; she md. 
(2d) Amasa Whitney ; resides in New Bedford. 
XII. Oucen Tracey, b. Oct. 5, 1838 ; md. Louisa Stone. 
He d. in Shirley Nov. 5, 1879. 



Col. Francis Johnson Bakrett, son of Col. Charles 
Barrett, was a merchant and manufacturer. He was of 
the firm of Corey, Barrett & Kibling. They owned the 
mill now of Robert W. Mclntire and a chair factory on 
Water street. The store was where Mrs. Winchester now 
resides. Col. Barrett was a man of generous impulses 
and enjoyed the merited regard of his associates. He was 
prominent in military affairs and at an early age rose to 
the command of his regiment. He md. May 7, 1839, 
Nancy Bemis, dau. of William Bemis, q. v. He d. Oct. 
10, 1851 ; she d. Dec. 10, 1864. 

1. Emma Almira, b. Sept. 13, 1840; md. John H. 

Wilkins, q. v. 
II. Charles Francis, b. April 13, 1842 ; d. July 4, 

1843. 
III. Lizzie F., b. April 7, 1846; resides in Ashburn- 
ham. 

CoL. George H. Barrett, son of Col. Charles Barrett, 
resides in this town and is proprietor of the grain-mill on 
Water street. He was Lieut. -Col. of the 53d Regiment, 
Mass. Infantry, and represented the district in the Legis- 
lature in the session of 1869. Since 1873 he has been a 
member of the Board of Trustees of Cushing Academy 
and Secretary of the Board since 1876. He md. Nov. 
30, 1854. Mary S. Greenwood, dan. of Edmund R. and 
Susan H. (Siocomb) Greenwood of Hubbardston. 



604 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



36 



37 



38 



39 

40 
41 
42 



43 
44 
45 

46 
47 

48 
49 



(41) 



I. Grace Greenwood^ b. Jul}' 16, 1861 ; d. Ma}' 7, 
1881. 



Joel Barrett, son of Reuben and Sarah (Fletcher) 
Barrett, was b. iu Mason, N. H. He md. Oct. 22, 1793, 
Mercy Townsend, dau. of Samuel and Hannah (Lawrence) 
Townsend. She was b. in Northborough, but her 
parents removed to Mason previous to her marriage. 
She was a sister of the wives of Samuel Dunster. Mr. 
Barrett removed to this town previous to 1802. She d. 
April 3, 1823, aged 48 years, and he md. (2d) May 31, 
1827, Judith Green. He d. March 19, 1841. Of the 
children of Joel and Mercy (Townsend) Barrett, there is 
no record of birth. In 1815 six were l)ap. Possibly 
all are not named below. 

I. Joel, b. about 1794; md. April 12, 1818, Hannah 
Marble, dau. of Oliver Marble, q. v. He d. 
. Nov. 30, 1820. She md. (2d) Joseph Miller, 
q. V. One child. 

1. Joel, bap. 1820. 

Hannah, b. 1796; d. Sept. 29, 1810. 

Samuel, b. Aug. 14, 1798.4- 

Sarah Fletcher, b. June 17, 1801 ; rad. Sept. 24, 
1823, John Emory, son of Francis and Eunice 
(Philbrick) Emory of Wiuchendon. Shed. May 
9, 1830, leaving three children. 

1. Jane, md. Henry O. Blanchard ; removed 
to Wisconsin. 

2. Maria, md. David M. Parker; removed to 
Wisconsin. 

3. Justin, md. Elizabeth Barber. 

Townsend, b. 1804.-f 

Betsey, md. April 10, 1835, Joseph White of 

Worcester. 
Reuben, md. Sept. 3, 1835, Rebecca Crombie, 

dau. of James and Mary (Wright) Crombie of 

Rindge ; he d. in Amherst 1870. 
Hannah Dunster, b. July 11, 1812 ; md. March 

8, 1832, Calvin Learned of Dubliii, N. H., son 

of John W. and Hannah (Wright) Learned. 



II. 
III. 

IV. 



v. 

VI. 



VII. 



VIII. 



Samuel Barrett was an active citizen. Postmaster 
several years and engaged in several business affairs. 
He md. Sept. 3, 1826, Nancy G. Lawrence, dau. of Dea. 



50 



51 
52 

(4&) 

53 

54 
55 
56 
57 

58 

59 

60 
61 
62 

63 
64 
65 
66 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. gQS 

William J. Lawrence, f/. X?. He d. Oct. 20, 1851. She 
resides in Springfield, Ohio. 

I. Edwin Laivrence, b. Aug. 20, 1827; md, Jan. 4, 
1848, Sarah B. Petts, dau. of Dr. John Petts ; 
she d. Oct. 18, 1865. He md. (2d) March 18, 
1867, Clara D. Hnsley, dau. of William Husley 
of Nashville, Tenn. He resides in Springfield, 
Ohio, and in connection with two of bis sons is' 
a stationer and publisher. Eight children. 

II. Elvira Elizabeth, b. July 3, 1829 ; d. June 10, 

1832. 

III. Llleii Maria, b. Aug. 16, 1831 ; md. April 27, 

1852, Rev. Edward W. Root; md. (2d) Aug. 
30, 1865, J. W. Van Sickle. Resides in 
Springfield, Ohio. 



TowNSEND Barrett was a farmer in this town. He 
md. Jan. 23, 1830, Sarah Wheeler of Terapleton ; she d. 
Dec. 22, 1846, and he md. (2d) Elvira Stowell, dau. of 
Moses Stowell, q. v. He. d. April 10, 1871. His widow 
resides in this town. 

I. Nancy C, b. Oct. 22, 1830; md. Jan. 1, 1850, 

Charles N. Scollay, g. v. 
II. Charles S., b. March 25, 1833; d. Oct. 31, 1846. 

III. Eliza A., b. April 9, 1835 ; md. C. W. Upham. 

IV. George W., b. Nov. 14, 1837. 

V. Hannah E., b. Oct. 31, 1839. 

VI. J. Frank, b. Jan. 16, 1841 ; was killed at the 

battle of Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864. 
VII. Abbie, b. June 20, 1844 ; d. Dec. 29, 1846. 
Children of second wife : 
VIII. Lain-a, md. 1867, George W. Whipple. 
IX. Emily, md. 1868, Frederick R. Whipple. 
X. Mary, b. Sept. 21, 1856; md. Arthur Lamb of 

Templeton. 
XI. Susan, b. June 9, 1858 ; d. Dec. 19, 1874. 
XII. Eddie, b. Oct. 3, 1860; d. Jan. 1, 1861. 

XIII. Belen, b. April 14, 1863. 

XIV. Herbert S., b. Jan. 24, 1809. 



John Bates was one of the early settlers of Ashburn- 
ham. He removed from Westford to the northeast part 
of the town about 1750. He was one of the original 
members of the church, and at the first election of town 
officers he was chosen an assessor. When Ashby was 
incorporated in 1767 his land was included within the 
limits of that town. He md. in Westford Jan. 7, 1744, 



€06 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



Martha Foster of Littleton. A dan. Martha was bap. in 
Lunenburg Aug. 6, 1749, but no further record of this 
family has been found. 



BEALS. 

This name was generally written Beal or Beale by the early generations of 
the family in America, and many brancheg of the family still retain the 
original form. The town of Hingham was settled largely by emigrants from 
Hingham in the county of Norfolk, England. The ship Diligent, John 
Martin, master, brought a number of families who were prominent in the 
€arly annals of Hingham and whose descendants are found in nearly every 
hamlet in our country. 

John Beal, while a resident of Hingham, England, md. Nazareth Hobart, 
a sister of Rev. Edmund Hobart, the first minister of Hingham in New 
England. With his wife and eight children he sailed in the Diligent in 1638. 
In the same vessel came the emigrant ancestor of the Gushing families of 
Ashburnham. Mr. Beal was admitted freeman in March, 1639. His wife d. 
Sept. 23, 1658; he md. (2d) March 10, 1658-9, Mrs. Mary Jacob, widow of 
Nicholas Jacob. She d. 1681, and he, at the age of 100 years, d. April 
1, 1688. 

Lieut. Jeremiah Beal, his son, was b. in England 1631; md. Nov. 18, 
1652, Sarah Ripley, dau. of William Ripley of Hingham. He d. Aug. 10, 
1716; his wife d. June 20, 1715. Of their seven children the eldest, 
Jeremiah, Jr., b. May 13, 1655, md. May 22, 1677, Hannah Lane, dau. of 
Andrew Lane. He was a farmer and a blacksmith ; d. at Hingham April 21, 
1703; his wife, surviving him, d. Sept. 19, 1719. Andrew Beal, son of 
Jeremiah and Hannah (Lane) Beal, b. Jan. 27, 1685-6, md. Dec. 14, 1715, 
Rachel Bates, dau. of Joshua Bates. They had four sons and one daughter. 
The youngest son was Abel Beal, b. 1737; md. March 11, 1755, Deborah 
Lambert. He d. April 20, 1809; she d, Oct. 1, 1810. They had ten 
children. In this lineage all the generations to this date resided in Hingham. 

Cohasset was created out of a part of Hingham in 1770, and Abel Beal 
resided in the new town after that date. Stowers Beals, youngest son of 
Abel and Deborah (Lambert) Beal, was the first in this line of descent to 
write the name with the additional letter. He was b. in Hingham March 
20, 1767, and resided in Cohasset after he was three years of age, and until 
he removed to Winchendon. He md. Mary Leavitt of Hingham He. d. 
May 23, 1821. His widow d. June 20, 1839. They had four children. 



George Leavitt Beals, son of Stowers and Mary 
(Leavitt) Beals, was b. in Winchendon Oct. 11, 1800. 
He md. Jan. 11, 1827, Nancy Norcross, b. Jan. 13, 1806, 
dau. of Capt. Daniel and Polly (Jones) Norcross of 
Rindge. In 1836 he bought the farm and a large tract 
of timber land of Frederick Crosby and removed to this 
town. He built a mill on the premises and was engaged 
in the manufacture of lumber until he sold the [n-opert}^ 
in 1847 to the Burrage Bros, and soon after returned to 
Winchendon. His wife d. Oct. 25, 1881. He d. June 5, 
1886. Two of their seven children were b. in this town. 

I. Mary Leavitt^ b. Nov. 20, 1827 ; md. Jan. 3, 
1849, John M. Whitney, son of Hananiah and 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



607 



(3) 



10 



Sarah (Beaman) Whitnej' of Winchendon. He 
d. Dec. 2, 1883 ; she d. May 14, 1S83. Two 
children. 
II. George Leavitt^ b. Jan. 11, ISSO.-f- 

III. Nancy Elizabeth, b. Sept. 21, 1831 ; d. April 27, 

1833. 

IV. Ir^fant, b. and d. July 23, 1833. 

V. Charles Leavitt, b. May 6, 1835 ; md. Jan. 23, 
1869, Harriet Martha "Brown, b. April 9, 1845, 
dan. of George and Harriet E. (Osgood) Brown 
of Winchendon. He is treasurer of Savings 
Bank and for many 3-ears cashier of First 
National Bank of Winchendon. 

VI. Nancy Elizabeth, b. April 26, 1837 ; d. May 4, 
1855. 

VII. Martha Ellen, b. April 14, 1844 ; d. Jan. 31, 1857. 



George L. Beals, b. Jan. 11, 1830, md. Jan. 1, 1852, 
Lj'dia Farrar, dau. of John and Calla (Stearns) Farrar, 
q. V. He resides in the west part of the town and 
occupies a portion of the property formerly owned b}^ his 
father, and is engaged in the manufacture of lumber. 
Two children. 

I. Frank Leavitt, b. Jan. 21, 1854; md. Oct. 11, 
1877, Nellie Isadore Kimball, b. Feb. 15, 1855, 
dau. of John A. and C. Anna (Corey) Kimball. 
II. John Farrar, b. Feb. 23, 1860 ; md. Nov. 26, 1886, 
Edith Whitney Day, b. June 27, 1866, dau. of 
Daniel and Jennie (Parkhurst) Day of Winchen- 
don. 



BEMIS. 

Joseph Bemis, b. in England 1619, settled in Watertown previous to 1640. 
He was a selectman 1648, 1672 and 1675. He d. Aug. 7, 1684. Tlie name 
of his wife was Sarah, but no record of the marriage is found; she d. about 
1712. Among the nine cliildren of Joseph and Sarali Bemis was Joseph, Jr., 
b. Dec. 12, 1651. So far as known no record of his family is preserved. 

Philip Bemis was probably his son. This Philip Bemis, b. about 1700, is 
found residing in Cambridge from 1723 to 1738. He md. Nov. 21, 1723, 
Elizabeth Lawrence and removed to Westminster in 1738. He was the third 
settler in that town and a man of influence and character. The youngest of 
six children was Zaccheus, bap. in Cambridge July 25, 1736. Zaccheus 
Bemis md. Elizabeth Lyon and lived in AVestminster where he d. 1804. 
Among his children was Steplien Bemis who removed to this town and is 
number 1 in the following register. Another son of Zaccheus was William 
Bemis, b. Jan. 11, 1777; md. Nov. 23, 1799, Hannah Derby, dau of John 
and Hannah (Garey) Derby. She was b. in Westminster Nov. 17, 1781. 
He was a farmer and a blacksmith in Westminster where he d. Oct. 8, 1835. 
His widow d. in this town Aug. 12, 1861. Of their eleven children several 
have resided in tliis town. William is number 13 and John is number 16 in 
following record; Lorette md. Brigham Wallace, q. v.; Hannah md. Alvin 
Kendall, q. v.; Nancy md. Col. Erancis J. Barrett, q. v.; and Ruth md. Charles 
F. Johnson, q. v. 



608 HISTORY OF ASHBURNIIAM. 

There are other families of Bemis in tliis tfiwn whose lineage is traced 
through other branches of the same general family. Albert T, Bemis is a 
descendant of John Eeniis tlie youngest son of Joseph Bemis the emigrant. 
John, the son, was b. in Watertown in Aug., Ifi59. He nid., about 1C80, 
Mary Harrinsrton, dau. of George and Susannali Harrington: she d. Sept. 8, 
171G. He md. (2d) Feb. 27, 171()-17, Sarah (Holland) Phillips, widow of 
Jonathan Phillips, and (3d) May 30, 1720, Judith (Jonnison) Barnard, 
widow of James Barnard and dau. of Samuel and Judith (Macomber) 
Jennison. He resided many years in Watertown and owned lands in 
Marlborough, but no record of liis death has been found. His first wife was 
the motlier of his fourteen children. Of these John Bemis was b. Oct. 6, 
1686. He md. May 8, 1710, Hannah Warren, b. Jan. 25, 1690-1, dau. of 
Daniel and Elizabeth (Whitney) Warren. He md. (2d) April 2, 1713, Anna 
Livermore, b. 1690, dau. of Samuel and Anna (Bridge) Livermore. John 
Bemis, the eldest of the thirteen children of John and Anna (Livermore) 
Bemis, was b. in Watertown Feb. 11, 1711-12. He removed to Weston where 
he md. Feb. 16, 1731-2, Hannah Warren, b. April 28, 1715, dau. of Capt. 
Daniel and Hannah (Bigelow) Warren. The eldest of their twelve children 
was John Bemis, b. Aug. 28, 1732. He removed to Sudbury and md., about 
1754, Abigail Sanders, and' in Sudbury the following cliildren were b. : 
Jonas, b. 1757; Jason, b. 1759; Silas, b. 1760; Amos, b. 1763; Abigail, b. 
1764; Reuben, Abel and John. About 1780 the parents, John and Abigail 
Bemis, with their children, removed from Sudbury to Winchendon. The 
son Jonas had served in the Revolution previous to their removal. He md. 
Catherine Tower of Sudbury and subsequently removed from Winchendon 
to Royalston where he d. 1831. Jonas Bemis, son of Jonas and Catherine 
(Tower) Bemis, was b. in Winchendon Aug. 11, 1788. He md. May 13, 
1813, Mercy Burgess, dau. of Ebenezer Burgess of Ashburnham. He 
removed to Royalston where he d. June 24, 1824. His widow md. (2d) 
William Whitney, q. v. Albert T. Bemis, who is number 20 in the following 
register, is of the eighth generation in this line of descent from Joseph Bemis 
the emigrant. 

Another lineage of this family is represented by Justin W. Bemis. He is 
a descendant of John Bemis named above who was b. 1686. Elisha Bemis, 
son of this John by the second wife Anna Livermore, was b. March 20, 
1725-6; he md. Feb. 15, 1748-9, Lucy Elton of Lexington. His son, Elisha 
Bemis, Jr., b. 1753, md. Anna Newton and removed to Southboro where he 
d. 1817. Elijah Bemis, his son, b. June 28, 1778, md. Oct. 9, 1805, Sally 
Woolson. He d. Aug. 1, 1844. Elijah Bemis, his son, b. in Southboro Feb. 
20, 1815, removed to Northboro; he md. March 20, 1840, Susan Newton; 
she d. June 16, 1845; he md. (2d) Feb. 28, 1846, Julia A. Newton. Among 
their children is Justin W. Bemis of this town who is of the eighth generation 
from Joseph the emigrant. 



Stephen Bemis, son of Zaccheiis and Elizabeth (Lyon) 
Bemis, was b. in "Westminster March 16, 1768 ; md. 1796, 
Achsah Pollard, dau. of William Pollard, q. v. In 1806 
he removed to this town where he d. July 18, 1841. 

I. Stephen^ b. June 16, 1797; d. young. 

II. William, b. Aug. 22, 1798; d. young. 

III. Dolh/, b. March 6, 1801 ; md. Arnold Dwight of 

Dover. 

IV. Hannah, b. Nov. 24, 1802 ; md. Samuel Danforth 

of Fitchburg and removed to Salem where she 
d. June 10, 1880. 



9 
10 
11 
12 

13 



14 
15 

16 



17 
18 

19 
20 



21 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 609 

V, Stephen, b. March 20, 1804 ; md. Miriam Farwell 

of Fitchburg ; removed to Nasliua, III. 
VI. Sylvia, b. Oct. 20, 1805 ; d. Feb. 23, 1849. 
VII. Achsah, b. May 14, 1807; rad. Oct. 29, 1827, 
Liucoln Hart of Townsend ; md. (2d) May 14, 
1833, Bradish Balier, q. v. 
VIII. Betsey, b. Feb. 14, 1809 ; md. 1836, James S. 
Mills of Dunbarton, N. H. 

IX. William P., b. April 6, 1810 ; md. Sally Blodgett ; 

d. in Salisbury, Conn., Sept. 26, 1866. 

X. Samuel, b. Jan. 13, 1812 ; md. 1834, Mary 

Pettengill ; d. in California 1878. 
XI. Zaccheus, h. Jan. 1, 1814; md. Maria Garfield; 
he d. in West Cambridge May 9, 1844. 



William Bemis, son of William and Hannah (Derby) 
Bemis, b. Jan. 2, 1808, md. April 14, 1836, Elizabeth B. 
Beard, dau. of Artemas and Mary (Chaplin) Beard of 
Fitzwilliam, N. H. He d. March 23, 1881 ; she d. April 
29, 1877. 

I. SaraJi E., b. Oct. 20, 1837; md. George C. 

Foster, q. v. 
II. Francis W., b. April 3, 1844 ; md. March 26, 

1875, Emily Stoddard of Templeton, dau. of 

Nathan and Mary (Colcord) Stoddard. Two 

children. 



John Bemis, son of William and Hannah (Derby) 
Bemis, b. Dec. 28, 1819, md. Dec. 19, 1844, Lucy R. 
Sawtell, dau. of Asa Sawtell, q. v. He resided in 
Ashburnham until 1868 when he removed to New York 
City, where he d. Jan. 26, 1879. 

I. Georgiana, b. Feb. 17, 1847 ; resides in New 
York. 

II. Frank, b. Dec. 21, 1850; md. Jan. 26, 1878, 

Lillian M. English ; he d. at Palmer Nov. 9, 
1884. 

III. Hattie L., b. Nov. 22, 1860. 



Albert T. Berhs, b. May 17, 1816, son of Jonas and 
Mercy (Burgess) Bemis, has resided in this town since 
youth. He md. Aug. 28, 1842, Sarah Hastings, dau. of 
John Hastings, q. v. He is a farmer and owns and 
occupies the farm where Dea. Sherebiah Hunt settled. 

I. Charles A., b. Sept. 22, 1843. He is a phj^sician 
in West Medway. Vide Chap. XX. He md. 
Dec. 14, 1872, Lizzie Thompson of Philadelphia. 
39 



610 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



22 

23 

24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 

33 



II. Herbert G., b. Nov. 1, 1844 ; md. Gertie Kirkland ; 

resides in Manashoe, Wis. 

III. Frank T., b. April 25, 1847; md. Gertie Denui- 

son ; resides in Sheboygan, Wis. 

IV. Lizzie, b. Sept. 23, 1848 ; md. Orange Mossman. 
V. Sarah, b. Oct. 14, 1850; d. Feb. 18, 1851. 

VI. J. Clifton, b. Nov. 11, 1851 ; d. Feb. 18, 1853. 

VII. Sarah, b. Aug. 28, 1853 ; d. Feb. 14, 1863. 

VIII. Anna M., b. July 8, 1855. 

IX. Fannie J., b. Nov. 13, 1857 ; d. Feb. 11, 1863. 
X. Freddie N., b. Jan. 10, 1859 ; d. Feb. 10, 1863. 
XI. Arthur E., b. Oct. 4, 1862 ; d. Feb. 9, 1863. 
XII. Alice J., b. March 3, 1865. 



Justin W. Bemis, b. April 6, 1853, son of Elijah 
Bemis of Northborough, md. Dec. 31, 1877, Lizzie G. 
Mirick, dau. of John A. and Kezia (Pierce) Mirick 
of Princeton. She was b. March 27, 1855, and d. June 
23, 1884. He has resided in Ashburnham since 1878 
and at present is one of the road commissioners. Two 
children, one of whom d. in infancy. 



BENJAMIN. 

John Benjamin, the emigrant ancestor of the families of this name in 
Ashburnham, came from England to America 1G32, and in November of that 
year was admitted freeman. He was one of the proprietors and in 1633 a 
constable of Cambridge. He subsequently removed to Watertown where he 
d. June 14, 1645, leaving a widow, Abigail, and eight children. Of these 
the eldest son was John, b. in England 1620. By Mife Lydia he had eight 
children. He d. in Watertown Dec. 22, 1706. Daniel, son of John and 
Lydia Benjamin, was b. in Watertown Sept. 12, 1660. He md. March 25, 
1687, Elizabeth Brown, b. Sept. 19, 1664, dau. of Jonathan and Mary 
(Shaltuck) Brown. He was a licensed innholder 1694-9. He d. in Watertown 
Dec. 13, 1719; his widow d. Aug. 8, 1740. Jonathan, a son of Daniel 
Benjamin, md. Dec. 23, 1714, Annabelle Eve; he md. (2d) May 7, 1734. 
Hannah (Cunnable) Bond, dau. of John and Martha Cunnable and widow of 
William Bond of Watertown. He d. in Watertown 1741 or 1742. 



William Benjamin, youngest son of Jonathan and 
Hannah Benjamin, was b. in Watertown Jan. 16, 1737-8. 
He md. Jan. 2, 1760, Sarah Child, dau. of Daniel and 
Mary (Bright) Child. She was b. in Waltham Aug. 11, 
1740. They removed to this town 1760. The father and 
two sons were in the Revolutionary service from this 
town. Soon after the Revolution the family removed to 
Woodstock, Vt. Ten children were b. in this town. 

I. Jonathan, b. Jul}^ 30, 1760.-f- 

II. Jonas, b. May 5, 1762 ; md. Aug. 2, 1785, Mercy 
Salter, dau. of Samuel Salter, q. y. He was of 
Woodstock, Vt. , at date of marriage. 



4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 
10 
11 

(2) 

12 
13 
14 

15 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. CU 

in. William^ b. Aug. 1, 1764. 
IV. Sarah, b. Aug. 2, 1766. 

V. Josiah., b. June 19, 1769. 
VI. Lticy, b. July 7, 1771. 
VII. Molly, b. July 11, 1773. 
VIII. Hannah, b. Aug. 7, 1775. 
IX. Levi, b. Sept. 7, 1777. 

X. ^sa, bap. June 30, 1782. 



16 



21 



22 
23 

24 
25 
26 

27 
28 
29 



Jonathan Benjamin md. Oct. 30, 1780, Anise Holt. 
He removed with his father to Woodstock, Vt. 

I. Jonathan, bap. April 27, 1782. 

II. Anise, bap. Jan. 26, 1783. 

III. Lemuel. 



Daniel Benjamin, lineage not traced, removed to 
Ashburnham 1778. He md. Nov. 10, 1779, Tamezin 
Felton, a sister of the wife of Lemuel Stimson. This 
family resided on the farm more recently occupied by 
Samuel Keyes in the north part of the town. He d. 
May 12, 1819 ; she d. March 20, 1843. Their ten chil- 
dren were b. in this town. 

I. Eunice, b. Dec. 6, 1780; md. Jan. 12, 1813, 
John R. Kemp of Fitchburg where she d. 1820. 

Daniel, b. March 6, 1783.-|- 

Nahitm, b. Feb. 20, 1785.-|- 

Tamezin, b. May 16, 1787; d. unmd. 1862. 

Nobby, b. June 17, 1789 ; md. Samuel Keyes, 
q. V. 
VI. Sally, b. March 14, 1792; md. Oct. 15, 1815, 
Dea. John Hunt of Boston, a son of John and 
Rebecca (Hicks) Hunt of Watertown. She d. 
March 31, 1837. Eight children. He md. 
(2d) a woman of the same name, Sally Benjamin, 
but not connected with the Ashburnham families. 

1. John M., b. Oct. 6, 1816 ; d. Jan. 6, 1839. 

2. Sarah Elizabeth, b. Aug. 6, 1818 ; d. July 
9, 1821. 

3. Harriet A., b. Jan. 18, 1821. 

4. Maria Charlotte, b. Feb. 5, 1825. 

5. William A., b. March 13, 1827; md. 
Inez M. White. 

6. Emily, b. Sept. 26, 1829. 

7. Clarissa, d. young. 

8. George E., b. Nov. 12, 1836. 



17 


II. 


18 


III. 


19 


rv. 


20 


V. 



612 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



30 

31 
32 

33 



(17) 



34 
35 



36 
37 

(18) 



(34) 



44 



45 



VII. Lydia, md. Sept. 18, 1814, Charles Damon of 

Wayland. 
VIII. Samuel How, b. 1797 ; d. May 1, 1801. 

IX. Lovisa, b. April 8, 1801 ; md. Cram ; md. 

(2d) Moore of Boston. 

X. Irene, b. Feb. 20, 1805 ; md. Emery Willard, son 
of John Willard, q. v. 



Daniel Benjamin, Jr., resided on the farm now of 
D. D. Mclntire. He md. 1806, Rachel Wetherell of 
Mansfield; she d. Dec. 17, 1838. He md. (2d) March 
4, 1840, Betsey (Mclntire) Billings, widow of Joshua 
Billings, q. v. He d. June 10, 1865 ; she d. Oct., 1863. 

I. Stillman D., b. Nov. 4, 1807. + 

II. Samuel H., b. Nov. 10, 1809 ; md. Taraezin 
Hunt, dau. of Peter Hunt, q. v. He removed 
to Ashby where he d. Jan. 18, 1879 ; she d. 
Aug. 28, 1869. No children. 

III. Louisa Rachel, b. July 15, 1816 ; md. 1837, Ai 

Foster of Ashby, son of Jonathan Foster of 
Ashby. She d. Feb. 3, 1878. 

IV. Lonenza (twin), b. July 15, 1816; d. Feb. 17, 

1817. 



Nahum Benjamin md. 1810, Judith Reed, dau. of 
Supply Reed of Acworth, N. H., and a sister of the wife 
of Ebenezer Jones. He resided several years near the 
residence of his brother Daniel. The family removed to 
the West many years ago. 

Susan Heed, b. July 31, 1811. 

Sarah Eliza, b. Aug. 31, 1814. 

Timothy Nahum, b. Dec. 4, 1817. 

Supply. 

Harriet. 

Alzina . 



38 


I. 


39 


II. 


40 


III. 


41 


IV. 


42 


V. 


43 


VI. 



Stillman D. Benjamin md. April 4, 1832, Mary Foster, 
dau. of Nathaniel Foster, q. v. He removed about 1840 
to Shirley Village, where he now resides. She d. Dec. 
25, 1882. 

I. Sidney Wendell, b. May 25, 1833 ; md. Jan. 22, 
1873, Mary Harris, dau. of Humphrey Harris, 
q. V. Resides in Shirle3^ 
II. Viola D., b. Aug. 4, 1836 ; md. 1865, Stephen H. 
Kimball of Ipswich. 



46 
47 



10 



11 



(8) 



12 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 613 

III. Mary Jane, b. March 24, 1841 ; md. Lorenzo L. 

Brown of Harvard. 

IV. Frances Ann, b. Oct. 24, 1845. 



Capt. James Bennett, a son of Moses and Anna 
(Blanchard) Bennett, was b. in Groton Dec. 5, 1736. 

He md. Hannah . His eldest child was b. in 

Rowle}^ ; the second in Townsend ; the next five in Ashby. 
His wife d. in Ashby and he md. (2d) Dec. 14, 1784, 
Olive Shattuck, dau. of John and Elizabeth Shattuck of 
Pepperell where she was b. Jan. 27, 1753. Capt. Bennett 
removed from Ashby to the northeast part of this town 
about 1784 and was a prominent citizen here until, by a 
change in boundary lines, his homestead was annexed to 
Ashby in 1792. Two children of the second wife were b. 
in this town and the youngest in Ashby. Capt. Bennett 
was an officer in the Revolutionary army. He d. Aug. 
9, 1808. His widow md. Jan. 25, 1816, Nehemiah Hardy 
of Hollis. 

I. Betsey, b. April 1, 1766 ; md. John Hall, q. v. 
II. Hannah, b. Sept. 23, 1767 ; md. (Int. Dec. 15, 

1787), Allen Stone ; resided in Thomaston, Me. 
HI. Asa, b. April 20, 1770; removed to Thomaston, 

Me. 

IV. Milly, b. April 13, 1772; md. Nov. 29, 1792, 

Jonathan Spaulding, q. v. 

V. SewelL b. Feb. 18, 1774. 
VI. Quincy, b. Sept. 15, 1775. 

VII. Almon, b. Sept. 10, 1778.-}- 

VIII. Eliah, b. Jan. 19, 1789; d. unmd. May 4, 1815, 
the day appointed for his marriage. 
IX. James Hervey, b. Nov. 22, 1791 ; md. Oct. 22, 
1820, Winifred Knowles. He was in the West 
India goods trade in Boston until 1845. He 
subsequently resided in Lexington. 
X. Sarah, b. Aug. 7, 1795; md. 1816, William 
Wright of Pepperell. 



Almon Bennett md. May 19, 1802, Elizabeth Constan- 
tine, dau. of Jacob Coustantine, q. v. He resided 
successively in East Wallingford, Vt., in this town and in 
Ashby, where he d. Jan. 3, 1857 ; she d. Sept. 2, 1842. 

I. Emma, b. Aug. 10, 1802; md. Jan. 6, 1827, 
Charles Wellington, son of Elias and Hepsibah 
(Kendall) Wellington of Ashby. She d. Jan. 
25, 1882. 



614 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



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32 

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34 
35 



36 



1. Ellen Maria, b. Nov. 4, 1829. 

2. Cecil, b. Aug. 10, 1835. 

II. Phila, b. April 19, 1805 ; d. Aug. 24, 1847. 

III. Alma, b. March 18, 1807 ; d. April 6, 1815. 

IV. Adaline Eliza, b. Oct. 5, 1811 ; d. April 12, 1815. 

V. Henley James, b. Aug. 28, 1814; rnd. Lucy Buss 

of Sterling ; d. in Worcester Dec. 8, 1846. 
Four children. 

VI. Charles, b. Jan. 15, 1821 ; d. in Springfield, Ky., 

1857. 

Thomas Bennett, probably a son of Thomas and Lydia 
Bennett, was from Groton. He md. Sept. 5, 1794, 
Catherine Wilker, dan. of Jacob Wilker, q. v. They 
resided in Ashburnham and in Ashby. He d. in Ashby 
Dec. 31, 1828. She subsequently removed to Concord, 
Vt., where sbe d. Feb. 10, 1862, aged 86 years. They 
had eleven children. 

I. Annie, md. John S. Temple ; lived in Concord, 
Vt. ; d. May 28, 1871. 

II. Asa, md. 1.S23, Laura Constantine, dan. of Jacob 

Constantiue, Jr. ; he resided in Ashburnham. 
She md. (2d) John Adams, Jr., q. v. 

1. George P.. removed to Florida. 

2. Augustus N., removed to Cambridge. 

3. Laura Jane, rad. Dec. 22, 1845, John L. 

Atherton, son of Perc}' Atherton of 
Jaffrey, N. H. 

4. Austin C, resides in Worcester. 

III. Susan, b. July 6, 1798; d. unmd. Feb. 6, 1876. 

IV. Melinda, b. Feb. 6, 1801 ; md. Sept. 5, 1829, 

Reuben Ilodgman ; d. in Ashby March 19, 1877. 
V. Thomas, d. at Concord, Vt., unmd., March 9, 1871. 

VI. Danford, md. Mary Stacy ; removed to Concord, 

Vt. 

VII. Orin. 

VIII. Martha, b. Feb. 29, 1812; md. Joel Whipple; 
resided in Concord, Vt. 
IX. Jacob W., md. May 18, 1843, Roxanna Manning 

of Ashby. Resides in Ashby. 
X. John, d. unmd. 

XI. George, md. Mary Blanchard ; md. (2d) Jan. 20, 
1853, Maria Foster ; resides in Townsend. 

Thomas Bennett removed to tbis town about 1824 and 
remained a number of years. He was interested in the 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



615 



37 
38 
39 
40 
41 
42 



saw-mill now of Leonard Foster. He was a son of 
Thomas and Mary Bennett and was b. in Gardner Jan. 
14, 1798; md. Emma Foster, dau. of Nathaniel Foster, 
q. V. The eldest child was b. in Gardner ; the others in 
this town. He removed from this town nearly forty years 
ago and d. in Athol 1884. 

I. Mary Ann, b. Oct. 24, 1823. 

II. Nancy Maria, b. Nov. 28, 1825. 

III. Albert Thomas, b. Oct. 3, 1827. 

IV. Helen Augusta, b. Sept. 10, 1829. 
V. Samuel Foster, b. Aug. 25, 1831. 

vi. George Anso7i, b. June 30, 1833. 



JoHX and Nathan Bigelow probably were brothers. They came to 
Ashburnham about 1768 ; were married the same day and both removed from 
this town a short time previous to 1787. 



9 
10 
11 
12 

13 



14 
15 



John Bigelow md. Sept. 11, 1770, Mary Melvin. 
children were b. in this town. 

I. John, b. Dec. 12, 1771 ; d. Dec. 25, 1771. 

II. Jonathan, b. Jan. 25, 1773. 

III. Silas, b. May 7, 1775. 

IV. John, b. July 3, 1777; d. Aug. 2, 1777. 
V. Amos, b. July 5, 1778. 

VI. Isaac, b. Oct. 27, 1780. 



Six 



Nathan Bigelow md. Sept. 11, 1770, Elizabeth Oak. 

I. Levi, b. July 13, 1771. 

II. Nathan, b. Jan. 27, 1773. 

III. Betty, b. Sept. 17, 1774. 

IV. Jonathan Oak, b. July 22, 1776. 



Silas Bigelow resided in this town a few years 
preceding 178G, and about that time he removed to New 
Ipswich, N. H. He was a sou of John and Grace (Allen) 
Bigelow who resided in Weston, Acton, Westford and 
New Ipswich. Silas Bigelow was b. Feb. 12, 1745. He 
was md. and had sons : Silas, Daniel, Samuel, Joel and 
John, but no reference to the elder children appears in 
the records of this town. In New Ipswich he was an 
innholder. Two children were b. in this town. 

I. Infant, d. Aug. 1, 1783. 
II. Joseph, bap. Nov. 13, 1785; d. Jan., 1786. 

Joshua Billings bought a part of Cambridge farm of 
Capt. Thomas Adams in 1772 and removed to this town 



616 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



2 


I. 


3 


II. 


4 


III. 


5 


IV. 


6 


V. 


7 


VI. 


8 


VII. 


9 


VIII. 


10 


IX. 



the same ^-ear. He md. Lois Gibson. He d. May 17, 
1799; she d. May 27, 1820. 

Joshua, b. Jan. 25, 1773. -f- 

Beuben, b. May 11, 1774. -|- 

Jonathan, bap. 1 776. 

Lois, bap. 1777; d. Dee. 11, 1777. 

Lois Gibson, b. Feb. 1, 1779 ; md. Joseph Fair- 
banks Burgess, q. v. 

Ephraini, bap. 1782 ; d. Sept. 4, 1782. 

Dorothy, b. July 1, 1783; md. Nov. 27, 1806, 
Ephraim Wyman Lord of Ashby. 

Sarah, b. April 20, 1786 ; md. Daniel Mclntire, 
q. V. 

James, b. Jan. 28, 1792.-|- 



(2) 



11 
12 

13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 

20 



21 



22 



(3) 



23 
24 



Joshua Billings, Jr., md. Feb. 16, 1802, Molly 
Pollard, dau. of William Pollard, q. v. She d. Dec. 25, 
1823, and he md. (2d) 1825, Betsey Mclntire, dau. of 
Daniel Mclntire. He d. Dec. 17, 1834, and she md. (2d) 
Daniel Benjamin, q. v. 

I. Joshua, b. Nov. 14, 1802 ; d. Sept. 2, 1803. 

II. William, b. June 17, 1804; d. March 12, 1822. 

III. Joshua, b. June 29, 180G ; d. May 30, 1817. 

IV. Varnum, b. Feb. 16, 1808 ; d. Jan. 16, 1817. 
V. Merrick, b. Nov. 22, 1809 : d. Sept. IS, 1810. 

VI. Joshua, b. April 11, 1811 ; d. Oct. 21, 1815. 

VII. Milton, b. Nov. 23, 1812; d. Dec. 19, 1814. 

VIII. Merrick, b. Nov. 23, 1813 ; d. Oct. 28, 1840. 

IX. Mary, b. July 26, 1814 ; md. May 2, 1839, Arad 

Proctor ; reside in Athol. 

X. Charlotte, b. March 12, 1816; md. Feb. 13, 1838, 

Abel A. Hildreth. They reside in St. Augus- 
tine, Fla. 

XI. John, b. March 26, 1821 ; md. 1858, Elmira 

Wilker, dau. of Jacob Wilker. They removed 
to California. 

XII. Dolly, b. April 10, 1822; md. April 23, 1848, 

Edmund N. Marble, son of Stephen Marble, 
q. V. 



REimEN Billings md. 1800, Polly Parmenter of Notown, 
and about 1805 removed to Fitchburg. Two children b. 
in this town. 

I. Polly, b. May 28, 1801. 
II. Reuben, b. Dec. 20, 1802. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 617 

(10) James Billings md. Nov. 11, 1812, Relief Petts, dau. 
of John Petts, q. v. ; resided near the Dea. Hunt farm, 
still known as the Billings farm, where he d. Jan. 12, 
1846 ; she d. Feb. 25, 1843. 

25 I. John Howard, b. Jan. 6, 1813 ; md. May 18, 
1843, Emeline Stearns, dau. of Abel and Persis 
(Lawrence) Stearns of Ashby. He d. May 5, 
1860. 

26 1. George H., b. June 25, 1844; resides in 
Leominster. 

27 2. Leafy Maria, b. June 7, 1848 ; md. Nov. 
16, 1866, James A. Willard of Town- 
send. 

28 3. Charles Austin, b. May 7, 1856 ; md. Oct. 
24, 1868. Effie Packard, dau. of Horace 
C. Packard, q. v. 

Andrew Birrell, b. in Edinburg, Scotland, Feb. 9, 
1812. After a residence of several years in Maine he 
came to this town in 1863. He md. 1836, Jane Wood ; 
md. (2d) June 30, 1864, Harriet (Flint) Walker, dau. of 
Thomas and Betsey (Keyes) Flint and widow of William 
Smith Walker. Three children of Andrew and Jane 
(Wood) Birrell were b. in Scotland. 

I. Jennie, b. June 19, 1841; md. Nov. 28, 1867, 
Charles G. Lawrence, son of Gilman Lawrence 
of Ashby. He was a veteran of the 21st 
Regiment and had resided in this town man}' 
5'ears. 

3 II. Mary C, b. July 25. 1847; md. William Henry 
Wilhxrd, q. v. 

4 III. Lizzie, b. July 25, 1848. 

Jacob Biron, b. March 18, 1835, in Germany, md. 
May 20, 1855. Ann Elizabeth Asman, b. in Germany 
Aug. 20, 1831. They removed to this town in 1858. 
By occupation he is a wood carver. 

I. Katie, b. in New York Oct. -IC), 1857; md. F'red 
Warner; resides in Tem]ileton. 

II. George Henry, b. March 19, 1858; md. Nellie 
Newton ; resides in Fitchburg. 

4 III. Elizabeth, b. May 20, 1862. 

5 IV. Mary, b. Dec. 15, 1864. 

6 V. Anna, b. Nov. 26, 1866. 

7 1 VI. Henrietta, b. Jan. 31, 1871. 



618 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



10 



Joel Raymond Bixby, son of Aaron Rixby, was b. in 
Rindge Jan. 5, 1803, where he resided until 1858, when 
he removed to this town. He md. Susan White and d. 
Dec. 10, 1875. Three of their twelve children died in 
infancy. 

I. Aaron B., b. Feb. 7, 1830; resides in the north 

part of this town. He md. Melissa A. Wyman ; 

(2d) Harriet E. W. Booth of Ashby. Seven 

children. 

II. Mary Elizabeth, b. Sept. 30, 1831 ; md. Otis 

Pratt. 
III. S. Augusta, b. July 8, 1833 ; md. 1854, John A. 

Field; md. (2d) Austin Brooks, q. v. 
XV. Linda, b. April 23, 1840 ; md. Alfred Clark, q. v. 
V. Cynthia Maria, b. July 5, 1842. 
VI. Julia Ann, b. June 26, 1844. 

VII. Caroline A., b. Aug. 26, 1846 ; md. George Hum- 
phrey of Holden. 
VIII. Susan Arabelle, b. Aug. 14, 1848 ; md. William 
Lindley ; he d. Feb. 26, 1872. 
IX. Martha Jane, b. April 15, 1852 ; md. George 
Walls of Shirley. 



Horace Black removed to this town about 1830. He 
was engaged many years in the manufacture of furniture. 
His mill was destroyed b}- the freshet in 1850 and he soon 
after removed to Buchanan, Mich. He md. 1833, Harriet 
Petts, dau. of John Petts, q. v. Four children were b. 
in this town. 

I. Horace Sumner, b. Oct. 25, 1834. 
II. Harriet Maria, b. Sept. 7, 1837. 

III. Sarah Elizabeth, b. May 9, 1841. 

IV. Relief Ann' h. Oct. 23, 1843. 



Abraham Blodget, lineage not traced, lived in this 
town a few j'ears preceding the Revolution. He md. Aug. 
6, 1770, Martha Bates, probably a dau. of John Bates, q. 
V. In 1773 thej' removed to Shelburne. 



Isaac Blodget settled in Ashburnham at an early date. 
He was taxed in 1770 and he md. 1773, Persis Whitcomb, 
dau. of William Whitcomb, q. v. In 1775 he served in 
the siege of Boston eight months, in Capt. Wilder's com- 
pany, and removed to Westminster soon after. His 
descendants have resided in this town. He d. in West- 
minster about 1824. Persis, his wife, d. May 18, 1834. 
A child d. Sept. 17, 1778. 



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15 



16 

17 

18 
19 
20 
21 
22 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 61^ 

Elias Blodget, son of Isaac and Persis (Whitcomb) 
Blodget, was b. in Westminster Nov. 26, 1783. He md. 
his cousin, Relief Whitcomb, dau. of Elias Whitcomb, q. 
V. He resided in Peru, Vt., and in Ashby until 1810, 
when he removed to this town. In 1817 he removed to 
Westminster, where he d. June 24, 1825. She d. in this 
town May 31, 1849. 

I. Ellas, b. June 27, 1807 ; md. Hannah Patch ; md. 
(2d) Martha W. Montjoy. He has resided in 
this town and at the South Village since 1870. 
Two children. 

1. Farwell, b. June 25, 1841 ; d. July 12, 

1843. 

2. Charles, b. June 1, 1843; d. Nov. 28, 

1862. 

II. Lucy, b. July 31, 1809; md. John W. Wallace, 
q. V. 

III. Farwell, b. April 10, 1812 ; d. Nov. 15, 1819. 

IV. Mary, b. Feb. 21, 1814 ; md. James Blodget, q. v. 
V. Isaac, b. May 15, 1816 ; d. May 19, 1816. 

VI. Persis (twin), b. May 15, 1816 ; d. May 18, 1816. 
VII. Sarah, b. May 5, 1817; unmd. ; resides in this 

town. 
VIII. Harriet, b. Aug. 8, 1819 ; unmd.; resides in this 
town. 
IX. Lucinda, b. Jan. 2, 1823 ; d. Feb. 26, 1823. 



James Blodget was a grandson of Isaac and Persis 
(Whitcomb) Blodget. He was a son of Jonas and Polly 
(Blair) Blodget who resided in Vermont and in Fitz- 
william, N. H. He md. 1834, his cousin Mary Blodget, 
dau. of Elias Blodget, g. v. Five of their seven children 
died young. 

I. Eliza, b. March 16, 1836; md. Henry A. Gibbs, 

q. V. 

II. Sarah Frances, b. July 28, 1838 ; md. Lincoln 

Wallace, q. v. 
III. Lticinda, b. Sept. 22, 1840; d. Aug. 6, 1841. 
* IV. Edward, b. March 9, 1843 ; d. Oct. 7, 1843. 
V. Sidney, b. Feb. 6, 1846; d. Dec. 27, 1849. 
VI. Lucy A., b. Oct. 27, 1849; d. March 30, 1850.. 
VII. Hattie Jane, b. April 28, 1853 ; d. Aug 12, 1863. 

Job Bond resided in this town several years, but I have 



620 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



no information of previous and subsequent liistory. The 
record of deaths gives information of one child. 

I. Job, b. 1770; d. 1780. 

Daniel Bond, perhaps a son or brother of Job Bond, 
resided in this town from about 1774 to 1785. He served 
in the army in 1779. He subsequently resided in Clare- 
mont, N. H. Vide pages 163 and 190. 

John Bowman was b. in Lexington July 3, 1759, and 
was a son of John and Susannah (Coolidge) Bowman, 
and a grandson of John and Mary (Stone) Bowman. 
After a residence of several years in Andover, he removed 
to this town about 1811, and resided here until his death 
Oct. 22, 1847. While a resident of Lexington he served 
several enlistments in the Revolution and was a pensioner 
during the waning j'ears of his life. His wife d. June 8, 
1841, aged 76 j-ears. No record of the marriage has been 
found. 

I. John^ removed from this town 1811. He was then 

about 23 years of age. 
11. Philip^ md. 1815, Phebe Merriam, dau. of Joseph 
Merriam, q. v. They resided here several years 
and removed to Westminster. Several children. 

III. Mary, md. 1817, Thomas Rice, son of Jonah Rice, 

q. V. 

IV. Sally, md. Hayden. 

V. Phebe, b. 1803 ; d. Feb. 4, 1816. 

Jeremiah Bridge is found residing here in 1764 and 
disappears about 1772. His previous and subsequent 
history is unknown. While he resided in this town his 
home was enlivened by a wife Sarah and four children. 

I. Sarah, b. Oct. 22, 1764. 
II. Ezra, b. Feb. 13, 1767. 

III. Jeremiah, b. Jan. 29, 1769. 

IV. Abigail, bap. Sept. 1, 1771. 

Bradford Britton from Westmoreland, son of Brad- 
ford and Nancy Jane (Priest) Britton, md. Lovisa Priest ; 
md. (2d) Mrs. Mary Hosley of Gardner. He resided in 
this town a few years. Was killed in the mill of Horace 
W. Houston Feb. 25, 1867 ; his widow resides in Millis. 

George Britton, a brother of Bradford Britton, Jr., 
was b. in Westmoreland Dec. 16, 1839 ; md. May 19, 
1868, Augusta R. Hosley, dau. of Samuel and Polly 



GENEALOGICAL EEGISTER. 621 

(Remington) Ilosley of Jamaica, Vt. He is a farmer in 
tlie south part of the town. Two children. 



Asa Bkocklebank was b. in Rowle}' Aug. 15, 1745 ; 
he md. April 10, 1771, Mary Howe of Andover, and 
removed to Rindge in 1772 or 1773. He removed to this 
town in 1777 and returned to Rindge about 1790, where 
he d. Dec. 12, 1826. 

I. Asa, b. Jan. 30, 1772. 
II. Eunice, b. Dec. 31, 1773 ; d. Nov. 24, 1775. 

III. Samuel, b. Nov. 27, 1776. 

IV. Eunice, b. Nov. 9, 1777; d. Oct. 18, 1778. 
V. Mary, b. Aug. 7, 1779. 

VI. Joseph, b. Aug. 23, 1792. 
VII. Nalium, b. Jul}' 24, 1794. 



(3) 



10 



Dr. Peter Brooks, lineage not known, was the first 
resident physician of Ashburnham. Vide Chap. XX. 
His descendants have been and still are numerous in this 
and other towns. He md. Nov. 14, 1769, Judith Foster, 
dau. of Jeremiah Foster, q. v. Between 1790 and 1800 
he left his family and the town. The date and place of 
his death are unknown. She d. March 9, 1824, aged 78 
years. 

Calvin, b. March 25, 1770 ; removed to the South. 

Luther, b. Feb. 15, 1772. -|- 

John Sicift, b. and d. 1774. 

Sewell, b. Feb. 4, 1777.-J- 

Peter, b. Jan. 11, 1780. 

Dorcas, b. June 24, 1782. 

Lyclia, b. Sept. 23, 1784 ; d. unmd. June 30, 1851. 

Dickerson, b. Oct. 13, 1787.+ 



2 


I. 


3 


II 


4 


III. 


5 


IV. 


6 


V. 


7 


VI. 


8 


VII. 


9 


VIII. 



11 



Luther Brooks, son of Dr. Peter Brooks, md. April 
24, 1800, Lucy Gates, dau. of John Gates, q. v. He was 
a farmer and a carpenter in Ashburnham. Late in life 
he removed to Ohio. He d. Oct. 22, 1854 ; she d. Aug. 
23, 1868. Eleven children. 

I. Luther, b. Feb. 16, 1801 ; md. 1820, Dolly Adams, 
dau. of James Adams, q. v.; she d. Sept. 11, 
1828. He md. (2d) 1830, Hannah (Jacobs) 
Harrington, widow of Daniel Harrington of 
Lexington. About 1830 he removed to East 
Cambridge and was there engaged in the lumber 
business. He d. July 4, 1839. 

1. Harriet Adams, b. June 19, 1820. 



€22 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



12 

13 

14 
15 
16 
17 
18 

19 



20 
21 

22 
23 

24 
25 
26 

27 
28 

29 



30 
31 
32 
33 
34 



35 
36 

37 



2. Martin Luther, b. and d. May 4, 1822. 

3. Sarah Jane, b. May 18, 1823 ; md. Charles 

Gerrish of Groton. 

4. Elvira Diana, b. Nov. 20, 1824. 

5. Luther Francis. 

6. Susanna Jacobs. 

7. Charles Edwin. 

8. Everett Wellington. 

II. Calvin, b. Sept. 14, 1802 ; md. Eliza Flagg, and 
removed after a few years. 

1. Eliza, b. Sept. 11, 1827 ; d. June 5, 1828. 

2. Calvin Augustus, b. March 18, 1829 ; d. 

Oct. 11, 1831. 

3. Eliza Emeline, b. Sept. 13, 1830. 

4. Mary Abbie, b. March 28, 1832 ; d. Feb. 

20, 1843. 

5. Frederick. 

6. Edward F. 

7. Adriana. 

8. Stetson. 

9. Artemas. 

III. Alden, b. June 24, 1804 ; md. Hannah Creyton of 

Portsmouth, N. H. He was a carpenter and 
d. in this town May 3, 1847. To them were 
born six children but no record has been 
secured. 

IV. Ezra Gates, b. June 7, 1806 ; d. unmd. Dec. 9, 

1833. 
V. Catherine, b. June 17, 1808 ; md. Freeman Vicory 

of Springfield, Ohio. 
VI. Emeline, b. March 30, 1811 ; md. Charles Hunting 
of Princeton ; d. Sept. 23, 1879. 

VII. Edward Stetson, b. March 6, 1813 ; d. unmd. Oct. 
7, 1838. 

VIII. John Warren, b. May 20, 1815. In 1835 he re- 
moved to Cambridge and was soon engaged in 
the lumber business in the firm of Brooks & 
Cottrell, and subsequently he assumed the sole 
management of the business in which he was 
successful. He md. Hannah Dana who survives 
him. He d. April 10, 1886. 

1. William. 

2. Mary. 

IX. Mary P.,h. 3\x\y 8, 1817; md. Oliver Hunting; 
d. April 27, 1860. 



■38 
39 

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40 
41 

42 
43 
44 
45 
46 

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47 
48 
49 
50 
51 
52 

53 



54 

55 
56 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 623 

X. Sarah M., b. Sept. 19, 1.S21 ; d. unmd. April 8, 

1847. 
XI. Charles N., b. July 5, 1825 ; rad. Almira Bartlett ; 
resides in Worcester. 



Sewell Brooks, son of Dr. Peter Brooks, was a car- 
penter and a farmer in this town. 1 have found no record 
of his marriage. The name of his wife was Sally. He d. 
May 28, 1822; she d. 1837. 

I. Seioell, b. Aug. 24, 1799. 

II. Samuel, b. Jan. 16, 1801 ; md. 1830, Lucy Hub- 

bard of llolden. 

III. Walter, b. June 24, 1804. 

IV. William, b. Jan. 6, 1807. 

V. Jonas, b. Sept. 9, 1809. 
VI. George, b. June 8, 1813. 

VII. Nancy, b. Aug. 3, 1817. 

DiCKERSOX Brooks, son of Dr. Peter Brooks, md. Sept. 
9, 1818, Hannah Kemp of Groton. He was a farmer in 
this town, where he d. July 13, 1855. 

I. Amos Dickerson, b. Jul}^ 21, 1819. 

II. John, b. Oct. 19, 1821. 

III. Hannah Elizabeth, b. Feb. 22, 1824. 

IV. Iluldah, b. May 21, 1826. 

V. Sally Tottingham, b. Oct. 18, 1828. 

VI. Levi, b. Aug. 6, 1831. 



Thaddeus Brooks, who came to this town about 1782, 
was a sou of Amos and Lydia Brooks of Lincoln, where 
he was b. April 30, 1758. He was a grandson of Joseph 
and Eebecca (Blodgett) Brooks of Concord, and subse- 
quently of Lincoln, a great-grandson of Dea. Joshua and 
Hannah (Mason) Brooks of Concord, and a great-great- 
graadson of Thomas and Grace Brooks, the emigrant 
ancestors of a large family in this State and elsewhere. 

Thaddeus Brooks md. in Ashburnham Feb. 22, 1785, 
Sarah Winchester, the sixth child of Rev. Jonathan Win- 
chester, q. V. He was a farmer, a respected citizen and 
is frequently and honorably mentioned in the records. 
He d. of cancer June 17, 1819. She d. Nov., 1835. 

I. Elijah, b. Oct. 9, 1786. + 
II. Samuel, b. March 20, 1792.-f- 

iii. Sarah, b. March 2, 1797 ; md. Feb. 5, 1835, Ezra 
Hudson of Templeton. She d. Nov., 1835, and 
he md. (2d) Caroline Jones, dan. of Edmund 
Jones, q. v. 



624 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



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60 



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61 



62 



(58) 



63 



64 

65 
66 
67 
68 
69 
70 



IV. Joel, b. Oct. 21, 1799 ; d. unmd. Dec. 12, 1863. 
V. William, b. Aug. 10, 1803. -|- 

Elijah Brooks, eldest son of Thaddeus Brooks, md. 
Jan. 6, 1818, Rebecca Sanderson, dau. of Moses Sander- 
son, q. V. He was a farmer and a useful citizen in Ash- 
burnham, where he d. March 18, 1874. She d. May 24, 
1862. 

I. Mary Rebecca, b. Oct. 1, 1818; md. Hon. Ohio 

Whitney, q. v. 
II. Sarah Sophia, b. May 30, 1826 ; md. Oct. 7^ 
1875, Henry Vanness, for several years a mer- 
chant in this town. They reside at West 
Med way. 



Samuel Brooks md. April 25, 1822, Ruth Rice, dau. 
of Jonas Rice, q. v. He was a farmer who commanded 
the esteem of his associates. He d. April 1, 1872; she 
d. July 7, 1853. 

I. Milton, b. Jan. 29, 1826; md. June 11, 1857, 
Achsah C. Ward, dau. of Alvin Ward, q. v. 
He resides a farmer in this town. 
II. Lavinia, b. July 2, 1827; d. unmd. Jan. 9, 1850. 

William Brooks md. June 13, 1833, Lucy Russell, 
dau. of Eliakim and Sarah (Converse) Russell of Rindge. 
He was a merchant and subsequently was engaged in the 
manufacture of friction matches. He d. Jan. 8, 1863 ; 
she md. (2d) Rev. Isaac Peaslee of Sutton, N. H. No 
children. 

Simeon Brooks md. in this town July 20, 1780, Lucy 
Whitcomb, dau. of William Whitcomb, q. v. He resided 
in the south part of the town and was an early proprietor 
of the mill now of Elijah Gross & Son. It is said he 
planted the stately elm now standing on the premises. 
He removed about 1812 to Westminster. 

I. L%icy, b. Oct. 17, 1781 ; md. June 17, 1806, Jonaa 
Holden of Westminster. 

II. Asa, b. June 26, 1784. 

III. Simeon, b. July 19, 1786. 

IV. Lydia, b. Oct. 22, 1788. 
V. Polly, b. April 10, 1795. 

VI. Stillman, b. Oct. 18, 1796. 

VII. Silas, b. Dec. 3, 1798. His bap. is recorded 
Cyrus. He d. Jan. 16, 1801. 



71 



72 


I. 


73 


II. 


74 


Ill, 


75 


IV. 


76 


V. 


77 


VI. 


78 


VII. 


79 


VIII. 


80 


IX. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 625 

Amos Brooks, not known to be related to other families 
of same name in Ashburnham, resided in the northeast 
part of this town about twenty years. He was included 
in the addition to Ashby in 1792. He md. Nov. 24, 1774, 
Prudence Martin, dau. of John Martin, q. v. Nine 
children. 

Amos, 1). Aug. 17, 1775. 
Hannah, b. Jan. 10, 1778. 
Lydia, b. Feb. 18, 1780. 
Betty, b. Feb. 10, 1782. 
Dolly, b. Oct. 6, 1784. 
Prudence, b. Sept. 4, 1786. 
Asa, b. Oct. 26, 1788. 
Lois, b. June 8, 1791. 
Savil, b. in Ashby April 16, 1795. 



81 



82 



83 



Jonas Brooks removed to Ashburnham about the close 
of the Revolution and resided here several years. His 
wife d. 1797, aged 78 j'ears. His name appears occasion- 
ally in the records and upon all the tax lists that have 
been preserved, until near the close of the century. 
Except of one son I have no knowledge of his family nor 
of his earlier and subsequent history. Perhaps Stephen 
Brooks who d. in this town Nov. 5, 1781, aged 29 years, 
was his son. 

I. Jonas, b. abont 1755; md. Sept. 12, 1781, Lucy 
Whitmore, dau. of Joseph Whitmore, q. v. 



84 
85 
86 



Isaac Brooks, not related so far as known to any of 
the numerous families in this town who bore the same 
name, lived near Mt. Hungei'. He md. 1795, Faith 
Seaver of Westminster. There was an Isaac Brooks who 
lived over the line in Westminster and whose children 
were bap. by Mr. Cushing. Isaac Brooks, probably the 
latter, d. Nov. 9, 1827. Isaac and Faith (Seaver) 
Brooks, who lived near Mt. Hunger, had three children 
and perhaps others. 

I. Solomon, b. Feb. 27, 1797. 

II. Belief, md. Dec. 13, 1821, Samuel Hart. 

III. Isaac. 



Jonathan Brooks, for many years, had a mill at the 
outlet of Rice pond. He resided in this town from an 
early date until 1817. His wife d. felo de se Aug. 22, 

40 



626 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



89 



90 



91 



92 



93 



94 



95 



96 
97 



1816. It is probable that there were other children but 
I have been unable to gain any additional record. 

I. Lucy^ md. 1808, William Whitnev, q. v. 
II. , b. 1793 ; d. Dec. 6, 1801. " 

Dea. Harvey Brooks is not closely allied in kinship to 
any of the numerous families of the same name who have 
resided in this town. He was b. in New Ipswich May 
30, 1805, and is a son of Stephen and Rachel (Taylor) 
Brooks of Rindge and New Ipswich and a grandson of 
Aaron and Mary (Stone) Brooks of Lincoln. Dea. 
Brooks removed to this town in 1826 and for several 
years he was in the employ of Charles Davis, John C. 
Glazier and Jonathan O. Bancroft in the manufacture of 
chairs. He is a man of integrit}^ and excellent character. 
In 1869 he removed to Gardner where he still resides. 
He md. Sept. 21, 1831, Lois Burgess, dau. of Joseph F. 
Burgess, q. v. 

I. Harvey P., b. June 17, 1833; md. Nov. 15, 
1867, Mary Mattattal. He served two years in 
Co. B, xSecond Regiment Heavy Artillery ; d. 
March 19, 1870. 

II. Euclid L., b. July 16, 1835; md. Aug. 14, 1861, 
Flavilla R. Adams, b. May 10, 1841, dau. of 
Hosea and Rebecca (Conant) Adams of Gardner. 
Resides in Gardner. 

HI. Newton, b. Oct. 23, 1840. Served on the quota 
of Gardner in 53d Regiment. He md. Nov. 16, 
1876, Frances A. Smith, dau. of Henry Smith 
of Oshkosh, Wis. Resides in Gardner. 

IV. Luella, b. Dec. 13, 1849; md. May 8, 1879, 
Marcus Whitney who was b. in Gardner Sept. 
13, 1846. Reside in Gardner. 



Ira Brooks, a son of Samuel and grandson of Isaac 
and Ruth (Herrick) Brooks of Westminster, was b. in 
Westminster Sept. 6, 1806. He began life under the 
name of Samuel which he changed to Ira. He resided in 
this town with little interruption from 1834 until his 
death. He md. July 15, 1830, Rebecca E. Wilder of 
Ashby. He d. June 26, 1885. 

I. Emerson, b. Sept. 27, 1831 ; md. June 7, 1865, 
Mada Townsend. Resides in Burke, Vt. 
II. Austin, b. March 6, 1833 ; a chair maker; resides 
in this town. He md. Sept. 6, 1860, Mary Jane 



98 
99 

100 

101 



GENEALOGICAL EEGISTER. 627 

Willard, dau. of Merrick Willard. She d. 

Sept. 1, 1876, leaving six children; he md. 

(2d) Ma}' 15, 1878, S. Augusta (Bixby) Fields, 

dau. of Joel R. Bixby, q. v. 
HI. Salura, b. Oct. 28, 1837; md. Danforth N. 

Baker, q. v. 
IV. Pascal, b. Nov. 2, 1839. Enlisted Nov. 1, 1861, 

in 32d Regiment ; d. at Sharpsburg. Md. Oct. 

1, 1862. 

V. Irving, b. June 1, 1842. Enlisted 1864 and 

served in an unattached company ; md. 1874, 
Emily McGee ; resides in Tro}^ N. H. 

VI. Infant, b. and d. 1844. 



Wait Broughton md. in Whately Nov. 1, 1771, 
Submit Wait, dau. of John and Mary (Hastings) Wait, 
and in 1774 he removed to Ashfield. His wife d. about 
1779 and he md. (2d) April 19, 1781, Esther Bel ding, 
b. April 18, 1761, dau. of Samuel and Mary Belding of 
Ashfield. The famil}' with the children Charity, Samuel, 
Thaddeus and Aaron removed to Ashby in 1786. They 
were residing in Ashby in 1787, but soon after that date 
they removed to this town. He was a farmer and was 
taxed for a generous amount of land. He removed about 
1815 to Brandon, Vt., where he d. April 20, 1842, aged 
92 years. 

I. Charity, bap. in Whately June 14, 1772 ; md. Nov. 

20, 1794, John Conant, son of Ebenezer Conaut, 
Jr., q. V. 

II. Samuel, bap. in Ashfield May 15, 1774 ; md. Dec. 

21, 1797, Rachel Hobart, dau. of Shebuel 
Hobart, q. v., and removed to Brandon, Vt. 
Subsequently he resided in Malone, N. Y. ^ 

III. Thaddeus, bap. in Ashfield Aug. 25, 1776. 

IV. Cynthia, bap. in Ashfield Nov. 22, 1778 ; probably 

d. young. 

V. Aaron W., b. previous to 1786; a son of second 

wife ; was a lawyer in Vermont and later in 
Michigan. 

VI. William, b. in Ashby July 12, 1787; md. in this 

town Feb. 11, 1810, Ruth Winter, dau. of John 
Winter, q. v. He resided in the north part of 
the town. He d. May 24, 1831. His widow 
md. Oct. 2, 1831, Jeremiah Robbins, q. v. 
Six children of William and Ruth Broughton 
were b. in this town, of whom two d. young. 

1. Phebe, b. Sept. 10, 1810; md. John 



628 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



9 
10 
11 



9 
10 

11 



12 
13 



Lawrence, son of Reuben Lawrence, q. v. 

2. Esther B., b. April 23, 1813; d. 1817. 

3. Chauncy W., b. 1817 ; a farmer in Illinois. 

4. Mary, b. 1824 , cl. 1840. 



Unity Brown, the name is sometimes written Unite, 
resided in this town a few years previous to the date of 
incorporation. He was one of the original members of 
the church 1760, and in that record his name is written 
Unight Brown and has been erroneously copied Wright 
Brown. This man, bearing numerous names upon the 
records, then of Dorchester Canada, md. in Lunenburg 
Aug. 16, 1759, Rebecca Arnold of Shrewsbury. He 
probably removed from this town previous to 1765 and 
of his subsequent history nothing has appeared. 



Daniel Brown resided several j^ears in the northeast 
part of the town. In 1792, by the change in town lines, 
he became a resident of Ashby. Mary, his wife, d. Aug. 
27, 1796, and he md. (2d) 1797, Lydia Webb. He d. in 
Ashby June 29, 1822 ; she d. Feb. 20, 1825. 

I. Ephraim^ b. in Ashburnham April 25, 1786. 

II. Joseph, b. in Ashburnham Sept. 8, 1788. 

III. Polly, b. in Ashburnham Sept. 16, 1792. 

IV. Daniel, b. in Ashby Jan. 3, 1795. 
V. Lydia, b. in Ashby Aug. 3, 1799. 



John Brown and wife, Sarah, were in this town several 
years following the Revolution. The family disappears 
about 1790. 

I. Sarah, b. Dec. 9, 1784. 
II. Joel, b. May 13, 1787. 



John Brown md. 1823, Dorothy Maynard, dau. of 
Stephen Maynard, q. v. He d. 1828. She md. (2d) 
Ohio Whitney, q. v. 

I. John Philander, b. July 7, 1826 ; d. in this town 

unmd. Oct. 14, 1851. 
II. Charles Hudson, b. Oct. 2, 1828 ; md. Mary 
Bowker ; resides in Ashby. 



Ebenezer Burgess from Harvard settled in the south 
part of this town in 1771. In 1775 he was a sergeant in 
Capt. Gates' company of minute-men. He md. Anna 
Fairbanks, dau. of Joseph Fairbanks of Harvard and a 



10 

11 

12 



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14 
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16 

17 



18 

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20 
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(14) 



629 



He d. Jan. 



CtEnealogical register. 

half sister of Cyrus Fairbanks of this town 
1, 182i); she d. Sept. 11, 1830. 

I. Levi, b. in Harvard ; d. at two years of ao-e 
II. Ebenezer, b. 1771 ; resided in this town, antl was an 
invalid for many years ; d. unmd. Feb. 16, 1811 

III. Hannah, b. March 30, 1773; md. Silas Smith of 

Westminster. She d. 1867, aged 94 years 

IV. Joseph Fairbanks, b. April 11, 1775. + 
V. Jabez, bap. 1777; d. Aug. 25, 1778 

VI. Molly, bap. 1779; d. Mav 19, 1780 
VII. Folly,^ b. March, 1781 ; md. Dec. 25, 1798, Charles 

Smith of VVestminster. 
viir. Anna, b. May 27, 1783; md. Flint Mclutire of 
l^itchburg ; d. 1877, aged 94 years. 
Betty, bap. 1786; d. Dec. 12, 1794. 
Asenath, b. Nov. 11, 1788; d. Nov. 16, 1806 
Mercy, b. April 9, 1791 ; md. Jonas Bemis, o. v.: 
md. (2d) William Whitney, q. v. 



IX. 
X. 
XI. 



Joseph Fairbanks Burgess md. Oct. 31, 1797, Lois 
Gibson Billings, dau. of Joshua Billings, q v He d 
Aug. 24, 1844. She d. Aug. 17, 1863. He was a 
farmer in the south part of the town. 

I. Joseph F., b. April 21, 1799; md. 1818, Maria 
Sawyer. He d Mav 4, 1861. 

II. Joshua B., b. Aug. 22, 1800.4- 

III. Mary, b. 1803 ; d. Sept. 1, 1805. 

IV. Corneliits, b. May 19, 1806; md. 1833, Dorothy 

Lord of Ashby, and removed to Vermont. 

V. Jonathan, b. April 15, 1808; md. 1832, Lois 

Handy, dau. of George and Ruth (Estes) Handy 
of Richmond, N. H. ; he md. (2d) 1842, Emily 

:, / Tx""' ^''"- ""^ ^^^'^^y Howe of Gardner ; 
md. (3d) Mrs. Sarah Howard. They reside in 

Fitchburg. "^ 

VI. Lois, b. April 27, 1810 ; md. Dea. Harvey Brooks, 
q. V. J 1 

vii. Ivers, b. Sept. 14, 1813. -f- 

VIII. Mary, b. Jan. 25, 18 1 7 ; md. Matthew E. Goodwin, 
q. V. 
IX. Nancy, b. Jan. 18, 1823 ; d. Dec. 28, 1838. 



Joshua B. Burgess md. 1818, Fanny Barrell of 
Westminster, where he resided a few years and then 
returned to Ashburnham and was engaged in manufacture 
of chairs in the South Milage for many years. His wife 



630 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



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d. March 10, 1856, and he md. (2d) Nov. 17, 1860, Mrs. 
Anna M. (Thompson) Child. He d. Feb. 22, 1885. 
Two eldest children b. in Westminster ; the others in 
Ashburnham. 

I. Joshua, b. May 10, 1819 ; md. 1838, Sarah Lord 
of Ashby; md. (2d) 1842, Susan R. Piper of 
Springfield ; resides in Minnesota. 

II. Caroline, b. Feb. 4, 1821 ; md. June 29, 1836, 

Jonathan H. Piper, g. v. 

III. Luther, b. Oct. 21, 1825; md. Elvira Goodfellow 

of Fitchbnrg ; he is a chair maker and resides 
in Keene, N. H. 

IV. Fanny, b. March 11, 1829 ; md. Abraham Bennett 

of Ashby ; resides in Fitchbnrg. 
V. Elizabeth, b. March 15, 1834 ; md. 1855, Henry H. 

Martindale. He was in the service in 21st 

Regiment. He d. Feb. 23, 1868 ; she resides 

in Fitchbnrg. 
VI. Adaline, b. Oct. 13, 1836; md. March 11, 1865, 

John Chute ; he was a farmer and a carpenter 

in this town ; he d. March 10, 1876. She 

resides in Fitchbnrg. 



IvERs Burgess, a farmer in this town, md. Dec. 25, 1834, 
Mary Gates, dan. of William Gates, g. v.; md. (2d) 
Louisa Field. He d. July 9, 1868 ; she d. Feb. 22, 1866. 

I. Arminda, b. June 17, 1835 ; d. June 17, 1835. 

II. Jeanette, b. July 20, 1836 ; md. Aug. 25, 1862, 

Frank Chenery of Clinton. He was killed at 
battle of Cold Harbor June 2, 1864. She 
resides in Clinton. 

III. ChloeE., b. June 18, 1838; md. Feb. 27, 1864, 

Lorenzo H. Gilbert. He was a veteran of 21st 
Regiment, was wounded in the service. They 
reside at Central Village. 

IV. Lois Melissa, b. Jan. 8, 1840 ; md. Feb. 19, 1864, 

George F. Puffer, q. v. 

V. Ellen B., b. March 3, 1842; md. Harrison C. 

Cheney ; he served three years in 21st Regiment. 
They reside in Union City, Penn. 
VI. Loring, b. Nov. 30, 1844 ; resides in Brattleboro', 
Vt. ; md. Jennie Whitney; md. (2d) Louisa 
Field. 

VII. Johfi Morris, b. Feb. 25, 1847 ; d. unmd. March 

29, 1881. 

VIII. Marietta, b. Sept. 13, 1849 ; md. Jan. 3, 1884, 

Edward G. Green of Clinton. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 631 

Edward Buknap, son of Stillman and Molodia (Creed) 
Burnap of Fitcbburg, b. June 3, 1828 ; md. Sept. 10, 
1851, Nancy M. Daby, b. Aug. 9, 1830, dau. of Amos 
and Polly (Burnap) Daby of Fitcbburg. He is a farmer ; 
resides on the North Turnpike. 

I. Mary J., b. June 8, 1852 ; d. Sept. 30, 1867. 

II. Sabra A., b. Aug. 6, 1855 ; d. Oct. 4, 1867. 

III. iSarah A., b. Aug. 6, 1855 ; md. George J. 

Maxwell, son of Francis Maxwell of New 
Ipswich. They reside in Rindge. 

IV. Edward T., b. Nov. 3, 1864. 
V. Walter R., b. May 14, 1866. 

VI. Arthur H., b. April 14, 1871 ; d. 1883. 



Pyam Burr, b. in Ashby Sept. 13, 1799, md. Dolly 
Gibson," dau. of Samuel Gibson, and resided many years 
in this town. He was a tanner. His wife d. June 20, 
1857. He d. Aug. 24, 1868. The monument in the old 
cemetery was erected in pursuance of the conditions of 
his will, and the town of Ashburnham is a trustee of a 
sum of money to provide for the care of the burial lot. 
Their only child d. in infancy. 



Nathaniel R. Butler, son of Jonathan Butler, Jr., 
was b. in Marlow, N. H., April 11, 1808. He md. May 
2, 1833, Sarah Tenney, b. Nov. 30, 1807. They removed 
to this town 1860. 

I. Mary, b. Feb. 2, 1837; md. Jan. 11, 1857, 
Frederick Wright of Phillipston, where she d. 
May 6, 1875. 

II. Emma L., b. June 18, 1839; d. unmd. Aug. 20, 

1881. 

III. Susie 0., b. Oct. 11, 1843 ; d. Dec. 2, 1862. 

IV. La Roy, b. Nov. 17, 1846; md. Dec. 27, 1848, 

Ella M. Ward, dau. of Isaac D. Ward, 7. v. 
He was a manufacturer of wood ware in this 
town until 1883, when he removed to Gardner. 
Five children. 
V. Addie 31., b. July 22, 1849; resides unmd. in 
this town. 



Charles Buttrick, b. in Chelmsford March 15, 1801. 
removed to this town, where he md. March 23, 1826, 
Luciuda S. Whitcomb, dau. of Elias Whitcomb, q. v. ; 
she d. March 12, 1855 ; he md. (2d) Oct. 5, 1858, Sarah 



632 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



L. Corey, widow of Levi Corey, q. v. He. d. Nov. 7, 
1879. Two children by first marriage. 

I. Aaron G., b. Aug. 30, 1827; md. Feb. 7, 1854, 

Mary Jane Dowe. Resides in Worcester. 

II. 3Iary Ann Eliza, b. May 21, 1829 ; md. Nov. 21, 

1849, Otis M. Samson, son of Oliver Samson, 
q. V. ; md. (2d) Nov. 14, 1854, Wm. V. 
Thompson, son of John Thompson. He was b. 
in Hartland, Vt., May 12, 1822. Tliey reside 
in Ashburnham. 



CALDWELL. 

John Caldwell, b. in England 1624, is found a resident in Ipswich in 
1654, and about that date he md. Sarah Dillingham, dau. of John Dillingham 
who emigrated to New England 1630. He d. in Ipswich 1692; she d. Jan. 
26, 1721-2. Their eldest son John md. May 1, 1689, Sarah Foster, dau. of 
Dea. Jacob and Martha (Kinsman) Foster and granddau. of Reginald 
Foster, the emigraht. He d. in Ipswich Feb. 7, 1721-2; she d. July 11, of 
the same year. Dea. Jacob Caldwell, third of the seven children of John 
and Sarah (Foster) Caldwell, was b. in Ipswich Feb. 26, 1694-5; he md. 
1718, Rebecca Lull. He d. July 17, 1744; she md. (2d) 1748, Samuel 
Goodhue and removed to Stratham, N. H. Jacob Caldwell, eldest son of 
Dea. Jacob Caldwell, b. Nov. 29, 1719, removed to Watertown, where he 
md. Sept. 28, 1742, Anna Hastings, dau. of John and Mary Hastings. He 
lived a few years in Cambridge and subsequently in Woburn where he md. 
his second wife. Jacob Caldwell, a son of Jacob and Anna (Hastings) 
Caldwell, was b. in Watertown Nov. 4, 1748. In 1777 he settled in 
Lunenburg, where he md. June 5, 1777, Patience Sanderson, b. 1745, dau. of 
Abraham and Patience (Smith) Sanderson of Lunenburg. He Avas collector 
in Lunenburg 1784 and constable 1796. He d. Sept. 8, 1823. She d. Sept. 
4, 1822. 



John Caldwell, the third of the five children of Jacob 
and Patience (Sanderson) Caldwell, was b. in Lunenburg 
June 9, 1782. He removed to this town and settled on 
the farm now of Aldeu B. Marble. He was a farmer and 
for many years a tanner. He md. Mary Green, dau. of 
Oliver Green, q. v. She d. Sept. 4, 1843, and he md. 
(2d) Aug. 9, 1844, Lucretia (Willdns) Chamberlain, 
widow of Joseph Chamberlain of New Ipswich. He d. 
Oct 21, 1871 ; she d. Aug. 18, 1877. 

I. John, b. Dec. 20, 1802; md. Sept. 26, 1826, 
Abigail G. Fuller, dau. of John and Eunice 
(Wetherbee) Fuller. She d. July 16, 1835; 
he md. (2d) April 7, 1838, Abigail C. Garland. 
He was a tanner in Fitchburg, where he d. Jan. 
10, 1859. Six children. 

II. Oliver Green, b. Jan. 7, 1805.-}- 

III. Lucy, b. Sept. 15, 1806; md. John Adams, 3d, 

q. V. 



9 
10 

11 

12 
13 

(3) 



14 



15 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 633 

IV. Mary, b. June 5, 1808 ; md. Samuel Woods, q. v. 
V. Elizabeth, b. March 15, 1810; md. Elbridge Stim- 

son, q. V. 
VI. Sarah (twin), b. March 15, 1810; md. Aug. 2, 

1840, Sylvester Wheeler of Dublin, N. H. 

They resided in Ashburuhani, where he d. Sept. 

23, 1849; she d. Feb. 23, 1871. 

1. Sarah Elizabeth, b. Oct. 9, 1844 ; d. unmd. 

April 27, 1883. 

2. Ellen M., b. 1846 ; d. July 23, 1861. 

VII. Dorothy H., b. April 30, 1812 ; md. Joseph Miller ; 

md. (2d) John Lawrence of Concord. She d. 
in Leominster 1883. 

VIII. Harriet P., b. April 4, 1817; md. Oct. 4, 1837, 

George R. Mansfield of Ashby. They removed 
to Rutland, Vt. 

IX. Frances, b. Jan 1, 1820 ; rad. Israel A. Packard,^.'?;. 

X. Nancy, b. Jan. 10, 1822; d., unmd., in Ashburn- 

ham July 10, 1848. 

Olivkr G. Caldwell resided in this town until 1855, 
when he removed to Leominster. He was a prominent 
citizen and for several years he was engaged in the 
manufacture of tubs and pails. He md. Oct. 28, 1828, 
Mary W. Ellis, dau. of Jesse Ellis, q. v. She d. Sept. 5, 
1833. He md. (2d) March 13, 1835, Martha Lincoln 
who d. 1878. He d. in Leominster Aug. 28, 1885. 

I. Martha Elizabeth, b. April 3, 1837 ; md. Jan. 7, 
1863, John W. H. Lawrence, b. in Concord 
Sept. 14, 1837, son of John Lawrence. They 
reside in Leominster. Three children. 

II. Abbie Lincoln, b. Aug. 14, 1844 ; resides in Leo- 
minster. 



James Cashman, son of Timothy and Joanna (Malony) 
Cashman, was b. in Cork Co., Ireland, 1816. He md. in 
Concord, N. H., Oct. 27, 1848, Catherine Corcoran and 
came to Ashburnham 1850. Eleven children. 

I. Timothy, b. Aug. 29, 1849 ; resides in Connecticut. 

II. Anna, b. Dec. 7, 1850 : unmd. 

III. John, h. March 18, 1852; md. Margaret Ryan; 

resides in Brockton. 

IV. Ellen, b. June 5, 1853 ; md. John Kirby of 

Fitchburg. 

V. Mary, b. July 4, 1855 ; unmd. 

VI. James, b. Oct. 30, 1856 ; unmd. 



634 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



9 
10 
11 
12 



Yii, Thomas^ b. Dec. 9, 1857; md, Katie Moore. 
VIII. Edivarcl, b. Feb. 2, 1859 ; immd. 

IX. Daniel, b. June 22, 1860 ; unmd. 

X. William, d. young. 

XI. Julia, b. Oct. 18, 1863 ; unmd. 



Timothy Chaffin with wife Sarah removed to this town 
from Harvard in April, 1775. This name is sometimes 
written Chaplin but the name probably was Chaffln. The 
father and one sou were soldiers in the Revolution and 
removed from town soon after the war. They were here 
in 1784 but disappear soon after. 

I. David. 

II. Levi. 

III. Lucr/, md. Feb. 26, 1784, Roswell Stevens of 

Claremont, N. H, 

IV. Molly, b. 1769 ; d. May 25, 1776. 
V. Miriam, b. Feb. 23, 1771. 

VI. Timothy, b. April 22, 1773. 

VII. John, b. Aug. 19, 1775. 

VIII. Sarah, b. Nov. 18, 1778. 



John Chamberlain resided in this town a few years 
and in 1779 he removed to Ashby. He was in the war in 
1778 in Capt. Edgell's Co., and his name appears a few 
times in the records of the town with unimportant mention. 
The name of his wife was Abigail. The records of Ashby 
preserve the names of four children. 



I. Rufus. 

II. Mary. 

III. Nahhy. 

IV. Jolin, b. 



Oct. 8, 1779. 



Augustus A. Chamberlain, son of David and Abigail 
(Chad wick) Chamberlain of Jaffrey, N. H., was b. in 
Jaffrey Aug. 11, 1813. He md. Nov. 19, 1839, Sarah A. 
Towne, dau. of Green and Lucy (Rand) Towneof Rindge. 
They resided in Rindge and subsequently in Jaffrey and 
removed to this town in 1866. He served in 6th N. H. 
Volunteers from Nov. 28, 1861, to June 18, 1862. 

I. Sarah A., b. July 28, 1840; md. Nov. 19, 1862, 

Frank B. Sawtelle. He was in the service one 

year in 20th Regiment and one year in 2d 

Heavy Artillery. He d. Nov. 24, 1883. 

11. Ermina L., b. March 18, 1842 ; md. Nov. 19,. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. (535 

1862, Milo O. Evans. He enlisted on quota of 
Deerfield June 10, 1864, in 2d Heavy Artillery 
and d. at Smithville, N. C, Aug. 30, 1865. 
Mrs. Evans was postmaster of Ashburnham 
from 1876 to 1886. 



Dea. Tristram Chenf.y from Sudbury settled on the 
farm now of Henry Tuckerman about 1758. In 1763 he 
was admitted to the church on letter of recommendation 
from the " West church in Sudbury," He was a prom- 
inent citizen and it appears in Chap. IV, that while he 
remained in this town no one was more actively engaged 
in public affairs. In 1769 he was elected a deacon of the 
church in Ashburnham and was dismissed from the office 
at his request 1773. Between these dates he removed to 
Antrim, N, H. He was elected surveyor of clapboards 
1769, but after that date his familiar name fades from the 
records of Ashburnham. For man}' years he resided in 
Antrim and was connected with the church in Hillsborough 
and perhaps resided some years in the latter town. In 
1804 he removed to Vermont and d. in Danville 1816, 
aged 96 years. Dea. Cheney md. in Sudbury Nov. 28, 
1745, Margaret Joyner. Their eldest children were b. 
probably in Sudbury. The birth of two is recorded in 
this town. In the following record it is not presumed 
that the order of age is preserved. 

Tristram, was in Antrim a few years. 

John, removed to Ohio. 

William, resided and d. in Acworth, N. H. 

Mary, was in Ashburnham 1776. 

Elizabeth, md. Timothy Wood, q. v. 

Susannah, b. in Ashburnham Nov. 2, 1759. 

Ellas, b. in Ashburnham March 8, 1760 ; resided 
in Antrim, N. H., until 1804. Three years 
in the Revolutionary army. D. in Concord, 

Vt., 1816. He md. Blanchard ; md. (2d) 

Deborah Winchester, dau. of Samuel Winches- 
ter. Seven children by first and six by second 
marriage. His son Jesse, b. Oct. 3, 1788, md. 
Nov. 25, 1813, Alice Steele; lived in Hills- 
borough, Francestown and Manchester, N. H., 
where he d. June 23, 1863. Benjamin P., 
James S, and Oilman Cheney of Cheney's 
United States and Canada Express are sons of 
Jesse and great-grandsons of Dea. Tristram 
Cheney. 



2 


I. 


3 


II 


4 


III. 





IV 


6 


V. 


7 


VI. 


8 


VII 



636 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



2 


I. 


3 


II. 


4 


Ill 


5 


IV 


6 


V. 



<2) 



Francis Chiller, a native of Canada, was b. Dec. 12, 
1846 ; removed to this town 1865. He md. Nov. 6, 1866, 
Sarah Gravesliu, dau. of Francis Gravesliu of Montpelier, 
Vt. He is foreman in the Tub Factory of Geo. G. 
Rockwood . 

I. Frank E., b. Aug. 16, 1867. 



Thomas M. Choate, son of Rufus and Betsey (May- 
uard) Choate, was b. in Windsor, Me., March 6, 1818. 
He removed to this town 1852 and has followed the 
occupation of a painter in the chair shops. He md. Oct. 
20, 1845, Julia Ann DeC. Paine, b. March 17, 1824, dau. 
of Pascal and Ruth (Bowen) Paine. Pascal Paine d. in 
this town June 24, 1866, and Ruth (Bowen) Paine, May 
11, 1878. 

Emily Frances, h. Feb. 8, 1849 ; d. Dec. 21, 1869. 
Clara Ann, b. Jan. 25, 1854 ; d. May 21, 1868. 
Julia T/iomas, b. June 7, 1858 ; resides unmd. in 

this town. 
Nellie Josephine, b. March 3, 1862 ; resides unmd. 

in this town. 
Benjamin Franklin, b. Oct. 2, 1863 ; d. Sept. 8, 

1868. 



David Clark in 1765 was a resident of Ashburnham. 
Possibly he settled here previous to that date. It is a 
current tradition that he came from Concord and that his 
children were b. there, but no mention of their birth 
appears in the Concord records. Mr. Clark and three of 
his sons served in the Revolution. Vide Chap. V. He 
d. of cancer Oct. 29, 1800. Mr. Cushing appends to the 
record "aged between 70 and 80 years." It is not 
certain that all the children are included in this register. 

I. David, b. Oct. 19, 1758.-|- 

II. Daniel, b. 1760.-f- 

III. Benjamin, b. 17G2. Removed 1787 to Reading, 

Vt. 
IV. Molhj. She was a mute; d. May 18, 1824. 



David Clauk md. July 17, 1791, Sarah Davis, dau. 
of Capt. Deliverance Davis, q. v. He resided in this 
town until his death July 5,1841. He is well remembered 
and was a prominent character among the Revolutionary 
heroes. His wife d. Oct. 10, 1823. 



9 

10 

11 

12 

13 
14 

(3) 



15 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 537 

I. Levi, b. Feb. 15, 1792.-}- 

II. Lucy (twin), b, Feb. 15, 1792; md. February 11, 

1818, Merari Spalding. Removed to Cuncord, 
Me,, where he was drowned July 13, 1834. 

III. Deliverance, b. Dec. 31, 1793 ; d. July 31, 1857. 

IV. Dorothy, b. Oct. 28, 1795 ; md. Jeremiah Metcalf, 

g. V. 

V. Grata, b. Aug. 16, 1797; md. Ichabod Mason; 

md. (2d) Burnell ; resides in Maine. 

VI. Lyclia, b. Sept. 8, 1799 ; md. Lewis L. Willard, 

q. V. 

VII. Sarah Davis, b. Jan. 17, 1804 ; md. Nov. 16, 1828, 

Amos Havnes of Sudbury. 

VIII. Lifant, b. and d. July 30, 1806. 

IX. George Washington, b. Oct. 21, 1810 ; d. June 11, 
1823. 



Daniel Clark md. Oct. 4, 1785, Molly Ames of 
Rindge. He was not burdened with the goods of this 
world and resided at different times in several parts of 
the town. He d. Oct. 7, 1800. His widow md. Timothy 
Angler, g. v. Tradition and the records furnish informa- 
tion of seven children. 

I. David, b. Sept. 3, 1786 ; md. 1819, Polly Bridge; 
removed to Northfield. 

Anna, b. June 12, 1788; d. unmd, 

Thomas Ames, b. July 30, 1790. 

Asenath, b. Dec. 10, 1792; md. Darling; 

md. (2d) 1827, Paul Davis of Ashby. 

Molly, b. July 27, 1795 ; md. Sept. 10, 1816, 
Amos Sprague of Ashby. 

Zilpah, md. Robbins and resided in North- 
field. 

Charlotte, md. April 17, 1834, Henry P. Hawks. 



16 


II. 


17 


III. 


18 


IV. 


19 


V. 


20 


VI. 


21 


VII. 



(6) 



22 



28 



Levi Clark was a farmer in this town. He md. 
Abigail Pratt, dau. of Job and Mercy (Williams) Pratt 
of Fitzwilliam, N. H. ; she d. Oct. 8, 1859. He d. Jan. 
19, 1862. 

I. George P., b. Nov. 30, 1814. In childhood he 
was called Job Clark ; the name was changed 
in 1834. He md. Sarah Adams, dau. of Daniel 
and Dinah (Metcalf) Adams of Gardner. He 
d. Dec. 9, 1843 ; she md. John Cook, Jr., q. v. 

1. Harvey, b. 1840. Served three years in 
25th Regiment ; md. Adaline P. Hinds, 



638 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



dau. of Francis Hinds, q. v. 
in Gardner. 



Resides 



24 

25 

26 



27 
28 
29 

30 
31 



32 

33 

34 
35 
36 
37 

38 
39 



II. Emeline TF., b. June 16, 1816 ; md. Humphrey 

Harris, q. v. 

III. Liithera, b. June 26, 1818 ; d. March 8, 1838. 

IV. Charles, b. May 29, 1820; md. Sept. 6, 1840, 
Martha Ann Taylor, dau. of Ephraim Taylor, 



q. V 
1. 



He d. Jan. 30, 1879. 



Martha A., b. July 27, 1842; d. May 4, 
1858. 

2. Charles N., b. Feb. 27, 1846 ; d. Jan. 11, 

1852. 

3. George, b. March 26, 1850 ; md. Sept. 7, 

1874, Ada L. Ramsdell, dau. of George 
Ramsdell of New Ipswich. She d. Dec. , 
1883. 

4. Harvey, b. Oct. 28, 1853 ; md. Oct. 29, 

1879, Nellie I. Knox. Resides in West- 
field. 

V. Luther, b. March 31, 1822; md. March 31, 1841, 
Mary C. Corey, dau. of Stillman Corey, q. v. 
She d. Nov. 23, 1870 ; md. (2d) Jan. 27, 1885, 
Charlena (Buzzell) Tilton, dau. of Reuben A. 
and Eliza (Cook) Buzzell, and widow of Solo- 
mon C. Tilton of Rindge. 

1. Alfred F., b. Feb. 4, 1842 ; md. July 27, 

1862, Linda R. Bixby, dau. of Joel R. 
Bixby, g. v. They reside in this town. 

2. Sarah Maria, b. Feb. 15, 1844 ; md. Mar- 

tin V. B. Davis, son of Amos Davis ; d. 
Aug. 19, 1870. 

3. Mary Elizabeth, b. June 7, 1846 ; d. 

unmd. Nov. 6, 1872. 

4. Lucy, b. Feb. 8, 1849 ; md. Sept. 1, 1868, 

Theo. L. Goodnow of Ashby. 

5. Eliza Ellen, b. June 10, 1852 ; md. Jan. 

5, 1872, Martin V. B. Davis. 

6. Georgiana, b. July 28, 1854 ; md. Sept. 

18, 1876, Henry C. Newell. Wholesale 
dealer in meat. 

7. John L., b. April 7, 1856 ; md. Jan. 25, 

1882, Abbie Jane Forristall, dau. of John 
M. and Mary J. (Wright) Forristall of 
Winchendon. 

8. Jennie L., b. Oct. 15, 1858 ; md. Oct. 5, 

1882, Hollis Mossmau of this town. 



40 
41 

42 

43 

44 
45 



46 
47 
48 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 639 

VI. Sarah D., b. June 27, 1824; mcl. Oct. 11, 1849, 
Handell Wiuship, son of Cyrus Winsbip of 
Westminster; she d. Jan. 10, 1875. 

VII. Joseph Elliot, b. July 26, 1826 ; md. April 15, 
1847, Louisa A. Hinds, dau. of Francis Hinds, 
q. V. 

VIII. Dorothy Metcalf, b. Sept. 18, 1828 ; md. Nahum 
Wood, q. V. 

Joseph Clark and wife Eunice resided in this town a 
short time, about 1780. It is not known that he was re- 
lated to the above named family. The records assert the 
birth of one child in this town. 

I. John, b. Nov. 18, 1779. 

Samuel Clark and wife Eunice resided in this town 
several j'ears early in the present century. His early and 
subsequent history is unknown. 

I. Susannah 31., b. July 6, 1807. 

II. Aaron B., b. Dec. 1, 1809. 
III. Joseph, b. Aug. 20, 1811. 



Epiiraim Cobleigii removed to this town during the 
last decade of the past century. From 1787 to 1797 no 
tax lists are preserved. He is taxed here in 1798 and 
subsequently. He was by occupation a shoemaker. He 
d. Jan. 9, 1825. His widow Ruth md. Nov. 24, 1831, 
Benjamin Fuller, then of Fitchburg ; he removed to this 
town, where he d. Feb. 8, 1838 ; she md. (3d) 1839, Joel 
Foster, q. v. By these marriages there was no issue. 
Catherine Fuller, a dau. of William Fuller by a former 
marriage, d. in this town Jan. 17, 1868, aged 66 years. 



James Coleman, sometimes written Colman, and wife 
Rachel, removed from Ipswich to the northeast part of 
the town in 1743. About the same time Dea. Moses 
Foster settled near him. To them falls the distinction of 
being the first permanent settlers in Dorchester Canada. 
During the troublous times from 1745 to 1749 it is known 
that Mr. Foster, retiring within the line of the block- 
houses, resided in Lunenburg. It is not probable that Mr. 
Coleman remained all the time during this period of inse- 
curity in Dorchester Canada. However, he is found here 
continuously after 1750. For several years the nearest 
church was in Lunenburg, and in 1743 Mr. Coleman and 



640 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



10 



11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 



his wife brought letters from the church in Ipswich and 
united with it. In 17G0, when the church was organized 
in Dorchester Canada, they ti'ansferred their church rela- 
tions. From the record of this proceeding it has been 
erroneously inferred that Mr. Coleman at that time re- 
moved from Lunenburg to this place. The records of 
every j'ear afford ample evidence that except during the 
years 1745 to 1749, of which little is known, Mr. Coleman 
resided continuously in this town. He was appointed on 
committees bj^ the proprietors and was held in high esteem 
by his associates. In 1765, at the first town meeting in 
Ashburnham, he was chosen one of the selectmen and a 
surveyor of the highways. When Ashby was incorporated 
his house and his lands were included in that town, where 
his descendants have been numerous. He d. Aug. 15, 
1773. 

I. Rachel, md. Daniel Harper, q. v. 
II. Elizabeth. 

III. Job, md. Feb. 20, 1766, Elizabeth Martin, dau. of 

John Martin, q. v. ; he resided in this town sev- 
eral years after his father and younger brothers 
became residents of Asliby. He was here in 
1770 and in 1775 he was residing in Shelburne. 

1. Samuel, bap. in Ashburnham, 17G9. 

IV. Mary, bap. in Lunenburg July 8, 1744. 

V. Aaron, bap. in Lunenburg Aug. 24, 1746 ; md. 
Feb., 1772, Eleanor Boynton of Lunenburg. 
After re.-iding in Ashby a few years he lived a 
short time in this town. ^ 

1. Nellie, b. Dec. 3, 1772. 

VI. Benjamin, bap. in Lunenburg Aug. 3, 1749; md. 
Dec. 25, 1770, Susannah Martin, dau. of John 
Martin, q. v. He was a prominent citizen of 
Ashby. Town Clerk 1794-8. 

VII. Solomon, b. June 20, 1752. After a residence in 
Ashby and in Sharon, N. H., he removed to 
this town in 1776. He md. 1776, Hepsibab 
Davis of Ashby. 

1. Lucy, b. July 28, 1777. 

2. Isaac, b. Feb. 8, 1779. 

3. Lavina, b. Sept. 4, 1780. 

4. Hepsibah, b. June 12, 1782. 

5. Sally, b. March 31, 1784. 

6. Lydia, b. Dec. 30, 1785. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



641 



17 

18 

19 
20 



VIII. 
IX. 



7. Anna, b. Oct. 14, 1787. 

8. James, h. Feb 5, 1791. 

Ruth, b. Oct. 23, 1754. 

Abigail, b. Sei>t. 26, 1758 ; md. 1774, Jacob Lewis 
of Ashby. 



Ebenezer Coxant, the first of the name in Ashburnham, was of the fourth 
generation in America. He was a son of Roarer and Mary (Raymond) Conant, 
a grandson of Lot and Elizabeth (Walton) Conant and a great-grandson of 
Roger and Sarah Conant, the emigrant ancestors. Roger Conant, father of 
Ebenezer, removed from Beverly to Concord about 1720 and was living 
in 17-15. 



(5) 



Ebenezer Conant was b. in Beverly Dec. 30, 1698, 
and removed to Concord with his father where he resided 
until 1762, when he removed to Ashburnham. He was a 
man of character and influence and his name receives 
frequent and honorable mention in the annals of his time. 
He md. Ruth Pierce. He d. Oct. 24, 1784 ; she d. Nov. 
19, 1797, "• aged over 80 years." 

Mary, b. Feb. 17, 1734. 

Lj/dia, b. Aug. 12, 1737. 

Hannah, b. Feb. 12, 1740; md. Josiah Dodge of 

Ashburnham, q. v. 
Ebenezer, b. Aug. 11, 1743.-(- 
Eunice, b. Dec. 4, 1745. 
Abigail, b. Oct. 27, 1749; md. - 

Vide Selham reaister. 
Ruth, b. Aug. 11, 1752; md. 

Moses Ware of Fitzwilliam, N 
Elizabeth, b. April 8, 1755; md. 

ham, q. v. 

Ebenezer Conant, Jr., was a prominent citizen of this 
town. He was a lieutenant in Capt. Davis' company 
1775, and also served nine months in the Continental 
army in 1779. He resided and built a mill at the outlet 
of Rice pond and his name is frequently mentioned in 
the early chapters of the History of Ashburnham. He 
md. Nov. 29, 1766, Lydia Oak of Harvard. He d. Aug. 
3, 1783, and his widow with six surviving children 
continued a residence in this town until the sons had 
grown up and had settled in Brandon, Vt., where one of 
the daughters, the wife of Capt. David Merriam, was 
residing. Many of the descendants of Ebenezer Conant 
have been distinguished in literary and business pursuits. 
The following children were b. in Ashburnham. 
41 



2 


I. 


3 


II. 


4 


III. 


5 


IV. 


6 


V. 


7 


VI. 


8 


VII. 


9 


VIII. 



Sellingham. 

Sept. 8, 1774, 

H. 

Moses Totting- 



642 



HISTORY or ASHBURNHAM. 



10 
11 

12 
13 

14 



15 



16 



(12) 



17 

18 

19 
20 



I. Lydia, b. Nov. 21, 1768 ; d. 1776. 

II. Sarah, b. Oct. 17, 1770; md. Jonathan Merriam, 

q. V. 

III. John, b. Feb. 2, 1773. -f- 

IV. Elizabeth, b. March 15, 1775; md. Capt. David 

Merriam, q. v. 

V. Ebenezer, b. June 6, 1777. Removed to Brandon, 

Vt., 1816, and to Geneva, 111., about 1833. He 
md. Rebecca Stuart ; (2d) Fanny Clifford ; (3d) 
Polly Olive Wright. Seven children ; among 
them Rev. Augustus Hammond Conant, a 
Unitarian clergyman of Geneva and Rockford, 
111. 

VI. Calvin, b. May 30, 1779 ; md. Esther Rich of 

Pittsford, Vt. Removed to Putnam, Ohio. Six 
children. 
VII. lAither, b. June 24, 1782 ; md. Regina Bemis and 
removed to Geneva, 111., where he d. 1835. 
Five children. 



John Conant, son of Ebenezer, Jr., and Lydia (Oak) 
Conant, md. in Ashburnbam Nov. 20, 1794, Charity 
Broughton, dau. of Wait Broughton, q. v. He resided in 
this town until 1798, when he removed to Brandon, Vt., 
where he was active and prosperous in business. He was 
a presidential elector 1844 and occupied many positions 
of trust. 

I. Cynthia, b. in Ashburnbam June 2, 1795; md. 
Dr. J. F. Merriam of Brandon. 

II. Samuel Stilbnan, b. in Ashburnbam March 26, 

1797; md. 1817, Elizabeth Mills. Resided in 
Brooklyn, N. Y. Six children. 

III. Chauncey Washington, b. Jan. 11, 1799 ; md. 1821, 

Rachel Fuller; resided in Brandon. Three 
children. 

IV. Thomas Jefferson, b. Dec. 13, 1802 ; md. July 12, 

1830, Hannah Chaplin ; resides in Brooklyn, 
N. Y. A noted Hebrew scholar, be was engaged 
in the revision of the Old Testament and has 
been an esteemed contributor to Appletons' 
Enc3^clopedia. His son, Samuel Stillman Conant, 
recently deceased, has been managing editor of 
the New York Times and for many jears 
business editor of Harpers' Weekly; another 
son, Thomas Oakes Conant, is in the U. S. 
Assay Office in New York and has published 
a collection of poems. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



643 



21 



22 



23 



24 



25 



26 

27 
28 

29 



30 
31 



V. SopJirojiia, b. INla}' 14, 1805 ; md. Samuel Heard 

of Chicago, 111. 
VI. Caroline C, b. March 8, 1807; md. James Long 

of Chicago. 
VII. Clara, b. May 21, 1809 ; md. Rev. Dr. Pharcellus 
Church, an eminent divine, now of Tarrytown, 
N. Y. ; their son, William C. Church, is editor 
of the Army and Navy Journal, New York. 
VIII. Frances Maria, h. May 29, 1812; md. Rev. B. 
Brierly of San Francisco, Cal. 

Jonathan Conant and wife Eunice resided in this 
town a few years between 1760 and 1770, and possibly 
for a longer period. He was probably a son of Israel and 
Martha (Lamson) Conant, and if so he was b. in Concord 
Feb. 3, 1733, and was a nephew of Ebenezer Conant, Sen. 
Three children were b. in this town. 

I. William, b. Aug. 17, 1765. 

II. Jonathan, b. Jan. 14, 1767. 

III. Israel, b. Oct. 30, 1768. 



Lyman Conant resided in the Central Village several 
years, beginning about 1828, and was engaged in the 
manufacture of chairs. He was a son of Josiah and 
Annis (Derby) Conant and was b. in Gardner Aug. 12, 



1805. He md. 
this town. 



Emma Wells. Two children were b. in 



I. Charlotte Caroline, b. Sept. 3, 1831. 
II. Mary Elizabeth, b. July 3, 1833. 



CONN. 

Among the sturdy and frugal emigrants, who came to America from the 
province of Ulster in the north of Ireland, about 1720, was George Conn. 
These emigrants were Presbyterians, and in their general character were 
distinguished for industry, thrift and intelligence. They are called Scotch- 
Irisli from the fact that they were descendants of Scots who had resided 
some time in Ireland. The circumstances of the emigration from Scotland 
to Ireland and from Ireland to America, their maintenance of their religion, 
their progress in education and the industrial arts, their thrift under govern- 
mental restraint and their sturdy, unbending characteristics under persecu- 
tion present a most interesting study. The impress of their character in 
every community in whicli they have resided has been conspicuous. Most 
frequently the}' settled in colonies. George Conn separated from his kin- 
dred and settled in Harvard, and there reared a large family and his descend- 
ants have carried the name to manj' towns in New England. John Conn of ' 
Ashburnham was his son. The descendants of George Conn, another son 
of the emigrant, have resided and are now living in several towns in New 
Hampshire and Massachusetts. 



644 



HISTORY OF ASIIBURNHAM. 



10 

11 

12 

13 
14 

15 

16 



John Conn, the first of the name in Ashburnham. son 
of George Conn the emigrant, was b. in Harvard 1740. 
He came to this town probably in 1761. He was a prom- 
inent citizen and his name is frequently mentioned in the 
list of town officers. He was a lieutenant in one of the 
companies of minute-men and attended the company to 
Cambridge in April, 1775. He md. Feb. 24, 1762, Ruth 
Davis of Harvard, and d. in this town June 3, 1803, aged 
63 years. 

I. Elizabeth, b. Feb. 14, 1763. 

II. Mary, b. June 14, 1764; md. Phinehas Hemen- 
way, q. v. 

III. Lydia, b. Dec. 26, 1765 ; d. April 12, 1786. 

IV. John, b. Aug. 6, 1768.-f- 

V. George^ b. July 19, 1770. He removed to New 

York and resided near Lake Champlain. No 

information of his family has been secured, 

except that he md. 1792, i)illy Brown. 

VI. Susannah, b. June 16, 1772 ; md. David Wallis, 

q. V. 
VII. Euth, b. Aug. 12, 1774; md. July 3, 1797, Oliver 
Blood of Groton and subsequently of Harvard, 
vm. Lucy (twin), b. Aug. 12, 1774; md. April 25, 
1796, Eleazer Spalding, son of Eleazer Spalding 
of Chelmsford and Townsend. They resided in 
Ashby, where she d. Aug. 16, 1825. He d. 
June 22, 1837. 

1. Luther, b. July 27, 1797; md. Susan 
Gregory, b. Aug. 9, 1801, dau. of Josiah 
Gregory ; resided in Ashby. 

2. Alfred, b. March 15, 1799 ; md. Betsey 
Lawrence. They resided in Ashby. 

3. Lucy, b. July 30, 1801 ; md. Jonathan 
Whitney, resided in Sterling. 

4. Syrene, b. Oct. 29, 1804. 

5. Eleazer, b. Nov. 4, 1816 ; md. Sophronia 
Smith, dau. of Silas and Anna (Watson) 
Smith of Rindge ; resides in New Ips- 
wich. 

IX. Margaret, b. 1778; bap. Sept. 13; md. Nov. 28, 
1799, Abel Hunt, son of Abel Hunt of Tem- 
pleton. They resided in Ashburnham and in 
Templeton. The partial record of one child has 
been secured. 



1. 



Ezra, b. 
1853. 



1809; d. in Sterling Dec. 31, 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



G45 



<5) 



17 
18 
19 

(18) 



20 

21 

22 

23 
24 

25 
26 

27 
28 
29 

30 
31 



John Conn rad. Mary Farwell, probably a dau. of 
Samuel and Elizabeth (.Shed) Farwell of Pepperell. He 
was a substantial farmer in this town. He d. May 2, 
1803, aged 35 years. She d. Oct, 1, 1.S30, aged GO years. 

I. Infant, h. and d. 1790. 
II. John, b. Jan. 30, 1794.-|- 
III. Lydia, rad. Charles JNIuuroe, q. v. 



John Conn was a prominent citizen of Ashburnham. 
He was a farmer and a manufacturer of chairs. His upright 
character and excellent qualities are attested b}' many 
now living. He md. Sept. 26, 1816, Eunice Rice, dau. 
of Reuben Rice, q. v. She d. June 26, 1828 ; he md. 
(2d) Sept. 19, 1829, Matilda Rice, a sister of his first 
wife. He d. April 1, 1864. She d. April 7, 1881. 

I. John Austin, b. April 10, 1817; md. Sept. 18, 
1843, Nancy Maria Petts, dau. of John Petts, 
q. '0. He resided in this town and later in 
Fitchburg, where he d. May 22, 1885. 

1. Eunice Maria, b. Sept. 6, 1844 ; md. Wil- 

bur N. Priest. 

2. Edwin Austin, b. Nov. 6, 1846 ; d. Sept. 

4, 184.S. 

3. Abbie P:iiza. b. Nov. 25, 1848. 

4. Frances Adeline, b. Sept. 11, 1850; d. 

March 5, 1851. 

5. Charles Reuben, b. May 26, 1852. 

II. Reuben Rice, b. Nov. 10, 1825 ; md. Oct. 13, 
1852, Harriet E. Harding, dau. of Rev. Charles 
R. and Nancy (Barrows) Harding. He is a 
silversmith and jeweller in Fitchburg. 

1. Edward, b. July 20, 1853; d. Sept. 10, 

1854. 

2. Lucy Maria, b. July 20, 1855 ; md. Nov. 

24, 1881, J. H. Potter. 

3. Herbert W., b. Jan. 10, 1859 : md. 1885, 

Julia Joel. He is Professor of Biology 
in Wesleyan University, Middletown, 
Conn. 

4. Lillie B., b. April 6, 1869. 

III. Edwin, h. May, 1828; d. June 25, 1832. 



CONSTANTINE. 

The first family of this name residing in Ashburnh im consisted of a widow 
and her son Jacob. The husband and father d. previous to their removal 



646 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



to this town. The date of their arrival is uncertain and there is no evidence 
that they came with the first German families in 1758, but not many years 
later they were residing on the Kibling farm. There being no male member 
of the family of an age to participate in town affairs the name does not 
appear upon the records until the son Jacob arrived to the dignity of man- 
hood. In 1785 John Kiblinger and Jacob Constantine exchanged farms, 
each farm containing one hundred and thirty acres. The widow Constantine 
d. in this town April 25, 1782, aged about 70 years. There are many tradi- 
tions concerning the history of the father of Jacob Constantine, but each one 
contradicts anotlier and they agree on only the one point that he d. before 
the family removed to this town. All the Constantines of Ashburnham are 
descendants of Jacob the son, whose family record appears in the following 
register. 



7 

8 

9 

10 

11 



(3) 



12 
13 



Jacob Constantine, b. 1752, md. July 6, 1773, Eliza- 
beth Whiteman, dau. of Christian William Whiteman, q. 
V. He was an enterprising citizen, was a soldier in the 
Revolutionary War and subsequently became the owner of 
considerable land in this town. March 4, 1814, he was 
thrown from his sleigh in Ashby and d. March 8 from 
injuries received. His wife was with him at the time of 
the accident but escaped without serious injury. 

I. Anna^ b. April 9, 1774 ; rad. Thomas Foot of New 

Haven, Vt. 
II. Jacob, b. April 27, 177G.-(- 

III. Elizabeth, b. July 19, 1778 ; md. Almon Bennett, 

q. V. 

IV. Caty, b. Nov. 27, 1780; d Oct. 23, 1800. 

V. William, b. Feb. 16, 1782; md. Eliza Holmes of 
Virginia. He d. 1847, in Wallingford, Vt. No 
children. 
VI. Sally, b. Aug. 1, 1785; d. young. 
VII. Jod, b. Feb. 23, 1788.-|- 
VIII. John, b. 1791 ; d. Feb. 1, 1800. 
IX. Amy, b. 1793; d. Feb. 5, 1800. 
X. Oliver, b. Nov. 20, 1795; md. Olive Keyes of 
Wallingford, Vt. He d. 1829 by accident in 
Cuttiugsville, Vt. 



Jacob Constantine, Jr., md. 1797, Eunice Sawin, dau. 
of Jonathan and Mary (Whitney) Sawin of Westminster. 
He resided in this town a few years, and then removed to 
Wallingford, Vt. Subsequently he returned to this town, 
where he remained several years. Late in life he removed 
to Mount Holley, Vt., where he d. Jan. 12, 1847 ; she d. 
Aug. 29, 1-S49. They had nine children. 

I. Jacob. 
II. John, md. Sophia Britton of Westmoreland, N. 



14 



15 
16 

17 



18 
19 



20 
21 



22 
23 

(8) 



24 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 647 

H. He resided in Malone, N. Y., where he d. 
1884. 

III. James, md. Martha Britton of Westmoreland. N. 

H. He resided in Malone and subsequently in 
Westville Centre, N. Y., where he d. 1882. 

IV. Chloe, md. Everett Gates, q. v. 

V. Laura, md. Asa Bennett, q. r. ; md. (2d) John 

Adams, </. v. 
VI. Sally, md. Henry Allen, son of Benjamin and 
Asenath (Coleman) Allen of Ashby. Resides 
in East Wallingford, Vt. He d. Feb. 11, 1885. 

vir. Jacob S., md. Sept. 1, 1833, Nancy Derby of 
Westminster. He resides in Cuttingsville, Vt. 

VIII. Lucinda, b. July 3, 1812 ; md. Dec. 10, 1838, 
Washington Fuller, son of Joseph and Annie 
(Knight) Fuller of Westmoreland, N. H. They 
resided in AYestmoreland, Keene, N. H., and 
Springfield, Mass., where she d. Jan. 27. 1879. 
They had three children. 

1. George Washington, b. Sept. 11, 1839. 

2. Levi Knight, b. Feb. 24, 1841 ; md. May 

8, 1865, Abbie E. Estey, dau. of Jacob 
Estey of Brattleboro, Vt. Col. Fuller 
for many years has been an active mem- 
ber of the firm of J. Estey & Co., organ 
manufacturers and is vice-president of 
the corporation. He is an influential 
factor in the political and public affairs 
of the State of Vermont. Since this 
register was written he has been elected 
Lieutenant-Governor of Vermont. 

3. Mary Ann, b. Sept. 18, 1845 ; d. unmd. 

Oct. 15, 1880. 

IX. Mary, d. young. 



Joel Constantine md. Jan. 27, 1811, Asenath Grimes, 
b. April 11, 1782, dau. of Joseph and Huldah (Wheelock) 
Grimes of Hubbardston. He removed in 1815 to Walling- 
ford, Vt. He was a farmer and at Wallingford he had a 
saw-mill which he conducted in connection with his farm. 
He d. Jan. 13, 1H57 ; she d. Oct. 7, 1861. 

I. Alfred Alexander, \\. May 5, 1812. He is a 
clergyman residing at Summit, N. J., and has 
been in Africa under the auspices of the Bap- 
tist Missions. He md. July 2, 1840, Mary 
Fales ; she d. June 29, 1874. 



648 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



25 
26 

27 



13 



14 



(6) 



II. Eliza C, b. Feb. 5, 1814 ; d. Sept. 3, 1815. 

III. George, b. Sept. 25, 1816 ; d. uumd. Aug. 10, 

1852. 

IV. Austin, b. May 1), 1827 ; md. Urania Ann Thomp- 

son ; she d. April 21, 1860 ; md. (2d) Rosanna 
Cook who d. Jan. 22, 1865. He removed from 
Vermont to Vineland, N. J., where he md. (3d) 
Jan. 2, 1872, Mary J. Sturges. 



John Cook md. Anna Beal and resided in Winchendon 
near the border of this town. So many of his children 
became allied b}' marriage to Ashburnham families that 
a brief record is given. They had thirteen children. 
I. Anna^ b. Jnly 21, 1708 ; md. John Lane, q. v. 
II. T77/2^/(ena, b. Sept. 0, 1799; md. 1819, Thomas 
Flint, son of Thomas and Abigail (Brown) 
Flint of Winchendon ; removed to State of New 
York. 
III. Mary F., b. April 23, 1801 ; md. Samuel Baldwin, 
q. V. 
John, b. March 20, 1803 ; d. an infant. 
John, b. March 15, 1805. -|- 

Deborah, b. July 30, 1806 ; md. Joel Merriam, q. v. 
Martin, b. March 1, 1808; resided on the home- 
stead in Winchendon. 
Clara, b. Jan. 26, 1810 ; md. Nov. 27, 1833, Milo 

Derby, q. v. 
Edward, h. June 12, 1812; d. in St. Louis; his 
son, Lemuel W. Cook, is a photographer in 
Boston. 
Jyer-s, b. May 21, 1814; resides in Westminster, 

Vt. ; md. Dorothy Miller. Four children. 
Ab'gail, b. May 17, 1816 ; md. Abner Moore, son 
of William and Mary (Fitch) Moore of Sharon, 
N. H. Three children. 
XII. Eliza, h. March 26, 1820; md. 1842, Reuben A. 
Buzzell and resided several years in this town. 
Thfy removed to Rindge 1862, where she d. June 
4, 1883. Five children. 
XIII. Joanna, b. Aug. 15, 1822 ; md. John N. Richard- 
son ; resided in Fitzwilliam, N. H.,andWin- 
cliendon. He is a merchant. 



5 


IV. 


6 


V. 


7 


VI. 


8 


VII. 


9 


VIII. 


10 


IX. 


11 


X. 


12 


XI. 



John Cook, Jr., md. April 3, 1832, Roxanna Lane, dau. 
of Benjamin Lane, q. v. She d. Feb. 24, 1834. He md. 
(2d) Nov. 12, 1834, Cynthia Metcalf, dau. of Jeremiah 
Metcalf, q. V. She d. June 19, 1844, and he md. (3d) 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



649 



15 

16 
17 

18 

19 



20 
21 
22 



Sarah (Adams) Clark, widow of George Clark, q. v. He 
removed from lowii about 18G0 and is now residing at 
Brighton, 111. The following names include one child by 
first, four by second, and three by the third marriage. 

I. Sarah lioxanna, b. Oct. 6, 1833 ; md. 1851, Jacob 
Hart of Keene ; she resides, a widow, at Bellows 
Falls, Vt. 

II. George William, b. Nov. 20, 1836 ; d. unnid. Oct. 
9,"l855. 

III. Leonard Neicton, b. Oct. 10, 1838 ; d. in St. Louis 

1866. 

IV. Martha J., b. Jan. 3, 1840: md. Oct. 9, 1861, 

Prentiss A. Maynard of Keene, N. H. He d. 
June 23. 1869: md. (2d) Sept. 10, 1879, 
Andrew J. AVillitims ; resides in Keene, N. H. 
V. John Levi, b. Aug. 8, 1841 : md. Christiana Petts, 
who d. Sept. 28, 1871 ; md. (2d) 1878, Abbie 
Clifford ; resides in Fh)rida. 
VI. Cynthia, resides at Brighton, 111. 
VII. Daniel, resides at Brighton, 111. 
VIII. Laura A., resides at Brighton, 111. 



Elisha Coolidge, the first one of the name in this town, was a descendant 
in the fourth generation of .Tohn Coolidge, the emigrant ancestor, who was 
admitted freertian May 25, KJSG. He was an early proprietor and resident of 
Watertown, a representative and many years a selectman. His will was dated 
1681 and proved 1C91, but the exact date of his death is not recorded. By wife, 
Mary, he had eight children, the eldest of whom were probably b. in Eng- 
land. Nathaniel, a son of John and Mary Coolidge, md. Oct. 15, 1057, Mary 
Bright, b. April 2:3, 1G39, dau. of Henry and Anne (Goldstone) Bright. In 
the records he was st)'led a tailor, but his inventory which included " three 
farms, mills and fishing wear," would indicate tliat lie had other employ- 
ments. The ninth of thirteen children of Henry and Anne (Goldstone) 
Coolidge, was Dea. John Coolidge, b. about 1G74. He md. Jan. 16, 1699- 
1700, Margaret Bond, b. in Watertown Oct. 1, 1681, dau. of William and 
Hepsibah (Hastings) Bond. He d. April 26, 1755. Among their children 
were Elisha Coolidge of Ashburnham, and Henry Coolidge, a resident of 
Cambridge and one of the proprietors of Dorchester Canada. Another son 
was William Coolidge of Waltham, the father of the wife of Col. Francis 
Lane and the wife of Samuel Cutting. 



Elisha CooLiixii:, sou of Dea. John and Martha (Bond) 
Coolidge, was b, in Watertown July 9, 1720: md. Sarah 

. After a brief residence in Cambridge he removed 

to Dorchester Canada 1752, He was an innholder here 
iu 1752, 1759, 1760, 1761 and probably during other 
\ears. His valuable service in forwarding the settlement 
jiiid his connection with the early mills in this town are out- 
lined in the early chapters of this record. lie was frequentlj' 
chosen to office and the high esteem in which he was held 



650 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNIIAM. 



2 


I. 


3 


II. 


4 


III. 


5 


IV. 


6 


V. 


7 


VI. 


8 


VII. 


9 


VIII. 



10 

11 

12 



is reflected in many pages of the records of this town. 
He was one of the original members of the church, but in 
1778 he united with tlie Baptists. He d. Aug. 29, 1807. 

Catherine^ b. May 3, 1755 ; md. 1773, John Gates 

of Ashburnham, q. v. 
Sarah, b. May 23, 1757; md. Dea. Jacob Kib- 

linger, q. v. 
Perynelia, b. Nov. 3, 1758. 
Jonathan, b. Sept. 6, 1760. 
Judith, h. Sept. 23, 1762; md. April 14, 1784, 

Isaiali Stone of Dummerston, Vt. 
John, b. Nov. 7, 17G4. 
Elizabeth, b. Nov. 30, 1766. 
Elisha, b. Nov. 19, 1768; md. Nov. 11, 1804, 

Mary Gushing, dau. of Rev. John Gushing, q. v. 

He d. leaving one son, and she md. (2d) Rev. 

Asa Rand, son of Col. Daniel and Susannah 

(Hemenwav) Rand of Rindge. He d. Aug. 24, 

1871 ; she d. June 12, 1871. 
Belief, b Sept. 26, 1770. 
Lucy, b. Nov. 8, 1772. 
Flavel, b. Jan. 19, 1775 ; md. Jan. 30, 1806, 

Nancy Wildes. 



IX. 

X. 

XI. 



Hezekiah Goeey, son of John and Ruth Gorey, was b. 
in Ghelmsford 1736, and was taxed there 1757. Previous 
to 1763 he removed to New I^jswich and was a prominent 
man in the affairs of that town several years. In 1771 he 
was an officer in the militia and ever after he bore the title 
of lieutenant. He removed to this town during the Revo- 
lution. In 1780 he was chosen fence viewer, which is the 
first mention of his name in the records, and the following 
year he was a selectman. In subsequent years he was 
chosen to other positions of trust and evidently he was 
held in high esteem. He d. Oct. 23, 1818 ; she d. Oct. 
9, 1820. Four children were b. in New Ipswich and two 
in Ashburnham. 

Hezekiah, b. Jan. 7, 1765.-)- 

John, b. March 4, 1769.-f 

Amos, b. Jan. 4, 1774.-}- 

jStejjhen, b. Sept. 27, 1775.-|- 

Jonas, b. 1777.-|- 

Salhi, b. 1779 ; md. Jan. 24, 1804, John Jefts, son 

of John Jefts of Mason, N. II. 
VII. Bhoda, bap. 1782 ; md. May 26, 1803, George W. 

Joslin, q. V. 
VIII. Dolly, bap. 1785 ; md. James Scollay, q. v. 



2 


I. 


3 


II. 


4 


III. 


5 


IV. 


6 


V. 


7 


VI. 



(2) 

10 
11 



12 


III 


13 


IV 


14 


V. 


15 


VI 


16 


VII. 



(3) 



17 
18 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 651 

Hezekiaii Corey mcl. Jan. 20, 1791, Lucy Townsend, 
b. Feb. 19, 1769, dan. of Joshua and Mary Townsend, q. 
V. He d. Nov. 16, 1833; she d. Nov. 11, 1867, aged 
nearly 99 years. Seven children. 

I. Lucy, b. Nov. 20, 1791 ; md. Jan. 20, 1820, Wil- 

lard Jefts of Ashby ; she d. Oct. 20, 1871. 
II. Achsah, h. March 7, 1793; d. unmd. Oct. 23, 
1852. 

Asahel, b. March 11, 1794.-|- 

Sarah, md. 1820, .Joel Fenno. 

Mary, md. 1817, William Fenno. 

Levi, b. 1807.+ 

Hezekiah, b. Jan. 7, 1814; d. unmd. Oct. 30, 
1842. 



John Corey md. June 7, 1792, Milly Stone, dau. of 
Joseph Stone, q. v. He was a farmer and resided in this 
town until about 1815, when he removed to Waltham. 
Seven children were b. in this town. 

I. John, b. Oct. 17, 1792. 

II. Stillman, b. March 22, 1795 ; md. Martha Brigham 
of Marlboro ; d. 1824, leaving five children, 
and among them was Mary who md. Luther 
Clark, q. V. The widow of Stillman Corey md. 
(2d) George Safford of Fitchburg. 

Milly, b. Feb. 1, 1797. 

Joseph, b. Aug. 12, 1799. 

Harris, b. Feb. 23, 1802. 

Harriet (twin), b. Feb. 23, 1802. 

Infant, b. 1805 ; d. March 17, 1806. 



(4) 



24 
25 

26 



27 



19 


III. 


20 


IV. 


21 


V. 


22 


VI. 


23 


VII. 



Amos Corey md. July 7, 1798, Achsah Townsend, dau. 
of Joshua, q. v. In 1801 he removed to Washington. N. 
H. He md. (2d) Louisa Jefts. The first wife was the 
mother of all his children. 

I. Linda, b. Jan. 7, 1799 ; d. young. 
II. Clarissa, b. Oct. 8, 1800; d. 1802. 
III. Amos, b. Sept. 19, 1802 ; md. Dec. 8, 1827, Eox- 
anna Wright of Sullivan, N. H. He lived in 
Washington, N. H., until 1857, when he removed 
to Antrim, N. H., where he d. April 6, 1872. 
His widow d. Sept. 7, 1872. Of their four 
children two d. unmd. 

1. Achsah, b. 1828; md. Peter Shuttleworth 
of Southboro. 



652 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



28 
29 



30 
31 

32 



(5) 



2. George F., b. 183G ; md. Clara R. Hill of 
Antrim and resides in Waltham. 

IV. Nathan^ b. 1804 ; md. Aug. 30, 1825, Louisa 
Wright, dan. of Jacob Wright, Jr. He resided 
in Stoddard, Charlestown and Boscawen, N. H., 
where he d. Sept. 20, 1879. Six children. 

V. Jonas R., d. at age of nine years. 

VI. Man/, b. Dec. 13, 1809 ; md. Nov. 4, 1845, Nahum 

Newton ; reside in Southboro. 
VII. Achsah, b. Sept. 2, 1813; md. David Smith; 
resided in Ohio and Lafayette, 111., where she 
d. Jan. 14, 1867. 



33 
34 
35 



36 
37 
38 
59 
40 
41 



42 
43 

44 

45 
46 



Stephen Corey md. Oct. 24, 1793, Joanna Adams, dau. 
of John Adams, q. v. Her name was generally written 
Anna. He was a farmer and a tanner and resided in the 
south part of the town. He was for many years fre- 
quently employed in public affairs. He d. Oct. 7, 1823 ; 
she d. Nov. 18, 1868, aged 93 years. 

I. Polly, b. Feb. 23, 1794 ; md. John Willard, (/. v. 
II. Stephen, b. Nov. 27, 1795.-f- 

III. Nancy, b. Jan. 3, 1799 ; md. May 30, 1821, Levi 

Todd, son of Joshua and Tabitha (Hunt) Todd 
of Rindge. They resided in Hinsdale, N. H., 
where she d. Oct. 3, 1872 ; he d. Nov. 23, 1873. 

1. George W., b. Nov. 3, 1822; md. Nov. 

24, 1846, Henrietta Tuttle. 

2. Nancy A., b. Jan. 17, 1825; md. James 

Boyce. 

3. Walter C, b. Sept. 23, 1826 ; md. Mary 

Spaulding. 

4. Levi Leonard, b. June 28, 1828; d. Oct. 

10, 1852. 

5. Lucy Lucinda (twin), b. June 28, 1828; 

d. Jan. 22, 1831. 

6. Marv J., b. Aug. 24, 1835; d. Sept. 22, 

1853. 

IV. Almira, b. Feb. 27, 1801 ; md. Silas Rice, q. v. 
V. Mdinda, b. Sept. 10, 1803 ; md. James Hayward 

of Ashb}'. 
VI. Lucinda, b. July 29, 1806 ; md. Jonathan 0. Ban- 
croft, q. V. 

VII. Walter, b. March 5, 1809.+ 

VIII. Betsey, b. Aug. 20, 1811 ; drowned in a tan vat 
Aug. 12, 1815. 



47 



(6) 



(12) 



48 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. G53 

IX. David A., b. March 19, 1815; he resided in Chi- 
cago, 111., where he d. unmd. Feb. 21, 1886. 



Jonas Corey md. 1817, Lucy Stone, dau. of Joseph 
Stone, q. V. He resided in this town, where he d. Feb. 
23, 1860. He failed to support his family, and his wife 
and children removed from this town many years ago, 
An infant d. Feb. 21, 1823. Among their children were 
Sarah F. and George Lewis. 



49 

50 
51 

52 
53 

(15) 



AsAHEL Corey, son of Hezekiah Corey, Jr., md. 1816. 
Mary Conant, dau. of Josiah and Anuis (Derby) Conant of 
Gardner. He was a merchant and an influential citizen 
of this town. Representative 1833, '34, '35, '36. 

I. Jonas, b. June 29, 1816. For many years he was 

engaged in the manufacture of chairs and lumber. 
He md. May 25, 1845, Susan A. Cushing. dau. 
of Laban Cushing, q. v. They removed 1852 
to Fitchburg, where she d. Jan. 12, 1857. He 
md. (2d) Feb. 22, 1870, Mrs. Adaline A. 
George. He d. Oct. 28, 1878. 

1. Waldo C, b. March 31, 1847 ; md. March 

14, 1883, Clara B. Goodspeed, dau. of 
Geo. N. Goodspeed. They reside in 
Winchendon. 

2. Frank Eugene, b. March 31, 1850 ; resides 
unmd. in St. Louis, Mo. 

II. Charles A., b. May 23, 1826 ; md. July 13, 1848, 
Elizabeth L. Barry, dau. of Thomas and Lu- 
cinda Barry of Athol. He resided in Fitchburg 
where he d. Sept. 28, 1870. Two children. 

1. Ella Lizzie, b. Dec. 22, 1850; d. unmd. 
March 28, 1878. 

2. Fred. A.,b. Oct. 13, 1852; md. Aug. 14, 
1883, Katie E. Clifford, dau. of John 
and Ellen Clifford of Fitchburg ; resides 
in Boston. 



Levi Corey, a brother of Asahel, md. June 10, 1830, 
Sarah L. Gross, dau. of Peaks Gross, q. v. He was a 
merchant. He d. May 3, 1854. She md. (2d) Oct. 5, 
1858, Charles Buttrick, q. v. 

54 I. George Bronson, b. Aug. 10, 1831 ; md. Feb. 28, 

I 1861. He resides in Desota, 111. 



654 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



55 



56 



(34) 



57 



63 



64 

65 
66 



(45) 



Adalaide L., b. Oct. 20, 1835 ; rad. March 20, 
1868, Samuel C. Lesure. The}^ resided in 
Chelsea, where she d. March 15, 1885. He 
formerly resided several 3ears iu Ashburnham ; 
was in the service in the war of the Rebellion 
and subsequently an officer in the Rice Guards. 

Eveline A., b. Oct. 19, 1851 ; d. unmd. Aug. 19, 
1875. An estimable young lady. 



58 


II 


59 


III 


60 


IV. 


61 


V 


62 


VI. 



Stephen Coeey, son of Stephen, lud. Sept. 19, 1820, 
Mary White, dau. of Elisha White, q.v. He resided 
upon the farm now owned by his youngest son. He was 
a farmer and for a number of years he continued the 
business of tanning established by his father. He d. Dec. 
22, 1867 ; she d. Nov. 6, 1866. 

I. Stephen W., b. May 31, 1822; md. Julia Draper. 
Resides in New Portland, Me. 

Mary H., h. April 9, 1825 ; d. Aug. 4, 1846. 

Augusta H., b. May 28, 1827 ; md. John M. Frost 
of Ashb}'. 

Sarah W., b. Aug. 16, 1829 ; md. John G. Coult 
of Manchester, N. H. 

Walter A., b. June 29, 1831 ; d. unmd. Jan. 25, 
1862. 

Susan M., b. Dec. 10, 1833 ; md. Frank B. Stod- 
dard, son of Charles and Lovisa (Brigham) 
Stoddard of Chesterfield, N. H. She d. in this 
town June 25, 1863. 

David A., b. June 20, 1836, Was a merchant in 
Fitchburg from 1858 to 1883. He is now treas- 
urer of the Snow Cattle Co., at their eastern 
office in Fitchburg. The company owns about 
300,000 acres of grazing land in Wyoming. He 
md. Jan. 31, 1860, Josephine Goddard, dau. of 
Joel Goddard of Templeton. She d. March 9, 
1865. He md. (2d) Oct. 9, 3 866, Nellie Hey- 
wood, dau. of Walter and Nancy (Foster) 
Hey wood. 

Ellen M.,h. Dec. 26, 1838; md. George Coult. 
Tl)ey reside in AYorcester. 

Abbie M., b. Oct. 25, 1841. 

George F., b. .Jan. 2, 1844; md. June 24, 1869, 
Ellen R. Hinds, dau. of Francis Hinds, q. v. 
He resides upon the homestead in Ashburnham. 



IX, 
X. 



Walter Corey removed to Portland, Me., in 1836 and 
has been actively and successfully engaged in the manu- 



67 
68 



GENEALOGICAL KEGISTER. 655 

facture and sale of furniture. A few years ago he retired 
from a business in which he had enjoj'ed an unblemished 
reputation. He md. July 7, 1846, Hester Ann Cole of 
Lewiston, Me. They have two children. 

I. Walter L., b. Nov. 9, 1848. 
II. 3Iabel A., b. Jan. 5, 1858. 



John F. Cornu, sou of Peter Cornu, b. in Switzerland 
1824, taught school several years in his native land and 
emigrated to Canada, where he md. 1856, Justina Tindo 
who d. 1863. He came to Ashburnham 1876 and resides 
a farmer on the Charles Stimson place on the North 
Turnpike. 

I. Ida, b. 1860; md, Zachariah Lambert of Fall 
River. 

II. Noah, b. 1861 ; unmd., resides in Kansas. 

III. Philemon, h. 186^ ; unmd., resides with his father. 



Michael Coughlin, b. in Count}^ of Cork, Ireland, Oct. 
12, 1810, md. in Ireland May 1, 1841, Mary Barnett. 
He has resided in this town about thirty years, occupying 
as a farmer the Foster place, often called the John Woods 
farm. 

I. Patrick, b. March 17, 1841; a mechanic in this 
town ; unmd. 

II. Bridget, b. Aug. 5, 1843 ; md. 1859, John O'Brien ; 

resides in Fitchburg. 

III. Michael, Jr., b. 1849 ; md. Mary Mead. He is a 

wheelwright. 



Timothy Crehore was the first of this family who 
became a permanent resident of Ashburnham. He was a 
son of Jedediah and Chloe Crehore and was b. in Milton 
Aug. 21, 1754. He is not mentioned in the Milton 
records and it is probable he came here about the time he 
arrived of age. He was here in 1785 when he was 
chosen highway surveyor. He settled in the southwest 
part of the town, where he d., and where his son Col. 
Timothy subsequently resided. This farm was a part of 
the land which had been in possession of the Crehore 
family since the early charter of the township. The 
name of his first wife and the mother of his children was 
Marv, but no record of the marriage has been found. 
She d. Oct. 9, 1805, aged 45 years. He md. (2d) 1812, 
Mrs. Hannah Mason of Walpole, N. H. He d. Nov. 1, 
1843. 



656 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



2 


I. 


3 


II. 


4 


III. 


5 


IV. 


6 


V. 


7 


YI. 


8 


vir. 



(3) 



10 
11 

12 
13 

14 
15 



Jedediah. b. Oct. 15, 1781. 

Timothiu b. March 12, 1784.+ 

Mary, b. Nov. 4, 1786; md. Jan. 3, 1815, Asa 

Carpenter of Walpole, N. H. 
John, b. Aug. 14. 1789 ; d. June 29, 1824. 
Laban Spragjie. b. Nov. 28, 1794. 
Infant, b. and d. 1797. 
Infant, d. 1805. 



Col. Timothy Crehore resided on the home place and 
subsequently in the Central Village. In 1852 he removed 
to Fitchburg. He was an active citizen and was prominent 
in military affairs. Vide Chap. XVIII. He md. Sept. 
20, 1807, 'Sally W. Fairbanks, who d. Jan. 8, 1864; he 
d. Jan. 5, 18 G6. 

I. Warren A., b. May 2, 1808; md. March 17, 
1831, Sarah E. Bemis of Winchendon ; resided 
in this town and in Fitchburg. 

II. Salb/ E., b. Feb., 1810 ; md. Europe H. Fairbanks, 

q. V. 

III. Horace C, b. Nov. 25, 1811 ; md. June 12, 1844, 

Mary Ann Bowker. He was a merchant in 
Ashburnham and subsequently in Fitchburg. 
He d. in New York Jan. 26, 1881. 

IV. Letvis H., b. Jan. 25, 1817; d. near Island of 

Ascension and was buried at sea April 17, 1840. 

V. Aufitin S., b. Feb. 6, 1824 ; d. from a fall from a 

bridge at Dutch Flat, Col., March 19, 1870. 
VI. Mary A., h. June 11, 1826; md. April 6, 1847, 

Howard Marble, son of Samuel Marble, q. v. 
VII. Infant, d. Sept. 22, 1830. 



CROSBY. 

Fitch and Frederick Crosby, who are named in the following register, 
were valued citizens of Ashburnham. They were distant relatives and of the 
sixth generation of their family in America. 

Simon Crosby aged 2G, wife Anne aged 25 and son Thomas aged 8 weeks 
embarked for New England April 18, 1634. He settled in Cambridge and 
was a selectman lOod and 1G38. He d. 1630 and his widow md. (2d) Rev. 
William Tompson of Braintree. Simon Crosby, second son of Simon the 
emigrant, was b. in Cambridge Aug., 1637. He became a large landholder 
and was a leading citizen. He was the first innholder in that town and a 
representative several years. He md. July 15, 1659, Rachel Brackett, dau. 
of Richard Brackett of Braintree. He d. Jan. 22, 1725-6. Among his nine 
children were Simon and Josiah and Joseph whose descendants have resided 
in this town. Josiah, son of Simon and Raciiel (Brackett) Crosby, was b. 
Nov. 11, 1677; md. Nov. 2, 1703, Mary Manning, dau. of Samuel and 
Elizabeth (Stearns) Manning. He resided in Billerica, where he d. about 
1745. His son Josiah, b. Aug. 5, 1704, md. Feb. 3, 1729-30, Elizabeth 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 657 

French, dau. of William and Sarah (Danforth) French. She d. Nov. 27, 
1739, and he d. previous to 1743. Hazen's History of Billerica credits a 
tradition tliat he was killed by the Indians. Josiah Crosby, eldest son of 
Josiah and Elizabeth (French) Crosby, was b. Nov. 24, 1730. He was a 
soldier in the French and Indian War. Subsequently he settled in Monson, 
now Milford, N. H. He was a Captain in Col. James Reed's regiment which 
served in the siege of Boston and participated in the battle of Bunker Hill. 
In this engagement his company contained 44 men. He was a millwright, a 
man of great energy and enterprise and a prominent and influential citizen. 
He md. Aug. 23, 1750, Rachel Fitch, dau. of Joseph and Rachel Fitch of 
Billerica. She was a niece of John Fitch in whose honor the city of Fitchburg 
was named, and who while residing near the borders of this town was taken 
captive by the Indians July 5, 1748. He d. Oct. 5, 1793. Fitch Crosby, the 
youngest of ten children, removed to this town, and is number 1 in the 
following register. Among the numerous descendants of Capt. Josiah and 
Rachel (Fitch) Crosby are many eminent men whose lives have adorned the 
professions and the halls of learning. 

Another son of Simon and Rachel (Brackett) Crosby was Simon Crosby, 
b. in Billerica 1663. His wife Hannah d. May 6, 1702, and he md. (2d) 
March 16, 1702-3, Abigail (Whittaker) Parker, widow of John Parker and 
dau. of John Whittaker. Among his thirteen children was Samuel Crosby, 
by first wife, b. Oct. 4, 1G98. Previous to 1723 he removed from Billerica 
to Shrewsbury and was one of the original members of the church in 
ShreAvsbury of which Rev. Job Cushing, father of Rev. John Cushing, was 
the first minister. He md. Dec. 9, 1729, Dorothy Brown, dau. of (jcorge 
and Sarah (Kidder) Brown of Billerica. He d. in Shrewsbury Jan. 23, 
1748-9. His son, Elisha Crosby, was b. Jan. 10, 1737-8. He md. Tabitha 
Harrington of Worcester. He resided a few years in Petersham and 
subsequently returned to Shrewsbury, where he and his wife d. of small-pox 
1792. Their eldest son was Frederick Crosby of Ashburnham. He is 
namber 14 in the register. 

Mary Crosby, wife of Isaac Stearns, was a descendant of Joseph Crosby, 
son of Simon and Rachel (Brackett) Crosby, who was b. in Billerica July 5, 
1669. He md. May 6, 1691, Sarah French, dau. of William and Mary 
(Lathrop) French. Their son, William Crosby, b. Feb. 13, 1697-8, md. 
Hannah Ross, dau. of Thomas Ross. He d. Jan. 1, 1754. His son, 
Jessaniah. b. Oct. 7, 1728, md. Dec. 19, 1751, Mary Hosley, dau. of Thomas 
and Martha (Richardson) Hosley. He resided in Billerica, where his dau. 
Mary, the wife of Isaac Stearns, was b. May 16, 1754, and youngest dau. 
Sarah, wife of Phinehas Randall, was b. Dec. 25, 1763. 



FiTCii Crosby, son of Capt. Josiah and Sarah (Fitch) 
Crosby, was b. in Milford, N. H., July 14, 1773. He 
md. March 1, 1798, Rebecca Davis, dau. of Josiah and 
Abigail (Hubbard) Davis of New Ipswich, and removed 
to Ashburnham in the j'ear 1801. He was a clothier and 
owned and occupied the mill in the Central Village in 
which Horace Black subsequently manufactured furniture 
and which was destroyed b}' the freshet in 1850. A man 
of even temper and unblemished character, he was held in 
high esteem by all who knew him. He d. March 17, 1852. 
His wife, a most estimable woman, survived him and d. in 
this town May 20, 1857. 

I. Charles Fitch, b. July 8, 179().-|- 
II. Jonas Hale, b. Jan. 7, 1804 ; d. Oct. 10, 1809. 
42 



658 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



4 
5 

(2) 



9 
10 

(4) 



(5) 



III. Josiah Davis, b. March 1, 1807.-}- 

IV. Hale Estabrook, b. Oct. 15, 1816.-{- 

Charles Fitch Crosby md. Ma}' 3, 1821, Susan 
Wilker, dau. of George Wilker, q. v. He was a wool- 
carder in Ashby, where he d. 1880. She d. May 25, 1879. 

I. George F., d. young. 
II. Sarah Rebecca, d. unmd. 1875. 

III. George Fitch, md. Catherine Willard, dau. of 

George A. Willard, q. v. They live in Fitch- 
burg. 

IV. Mary Ann, md. William H. Jewett ; reside in 

Fitchburg. 

V. Susan Amanda, md. Fitzgibbon ; she resides, 

a widow, in Charlestown. 



Rev. Josiah Davis Crosby, a Congregational clergy- 
man, now retired from active labor, is residing in Ash- 
burnham. An outline of his education and ministerial 
labor is given in Chap. VIII. For many years he has 
been a student of the annals of this town and has pre- 
pared many historical papers concerning men and promi- 
nent events in the town's history. Mr. Crosby has ever 
been a consistent and earnest supporter of the reforms of 
his time. He md. April 16, 1839, Elvira Willard, dau. of 
Ephraim and Lucy Willard of Athol. She d. April 1, 
1882. No children. 



11 



Hale Estabrook Crosby attended the public schools of 
this town and Appleton Academy, New Ipswich. In boy- 
hood he became a printer and was employed as a com- 
positor in Lowell and Andover and in Concord, N. H. 
While at work at Concord he was also a student at the 
Concord Literary Institute. In this institution Gen. 
Harrison C. Hobart and Vice-President Wilson were his 
classmates. He was successively a printer in Concord 
and a merchant in Ashby, in Fisherville, N. H., and in 
New Buffalo, Mich., until 1845. Since the last date he 
has been a farmer and resides at Three Oaks, Mich. He 
has been a member of the Legislature, and has held many 
local offices. He md. Nov. 3, 1838, Mary F. Chamber- 
lain, dau. of Moses and Mary (Foster) Chamberlain of 
Concord, N. H. Of their six children three d. in infancy. 

I. Josiah Birney, b. June 2, 1842 ; md. Sept. 2, 
1869, Cornelia F., dau. of Samuel and Susan 
A. Hammond. A farmer at New Buffalo. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. q^q 

II. Hejiry Chamberlain,' h, Nov. 22, 1852; md. June 
18, 1884, Stella V. Greenamyer, dau, of Solo- 
mon Greenamyer. A farmer at New Buffalo. 

III. John Abbott, b. Dec. 10, 1854; md. June 25, 

1884, Adelaide R. Upton, dau. of John B. O 
Upton. He is a physician in Minneapolis, Minn. 
A graduate of Harvard Medical School. 



_ Frederick Crosby, son of Elisha and Tabitha (Har- 
rington) Crosby, was b, in Shrewsbury April 8, 1764. 
He md. March 31, 1785, Martha Maynard, dau. of Capt. 
John and Martha (Brigham) Maynard of Shrewsbury. 
In 1790 he removed to Winchendon and in 1796 to Ash- 
burnham, where he d. March 21, 1840. His wife survived 
him and d. April 19, 1851. When Mr. Crosby came to 
this town he bought 250 acres of laud which has since 
been owned by George L. Beals and Burrage Brothers. 
The old homestead is still known as the Frederick Crosby 
Place. The aged recall Mr. Crosby with sentiments of 
respect and represent him as a man above reproach. In 
this family there were fourteen children. 

I. Hennj, b. in Shrewsbury July 18, 1785. Vide 

Chap. XX. 
II. John, b. Oct. 21, 1787; md. Betsey Brooks, dau. 
of Levi and Betsey (Flint) Brooks of Winchen- 
don. Removed to Winchendon and from thence 
to Gardner. 

HI. Elisha, b. in Winchendon April 18, 1790; md. 
Oct. 22, 1841, Elizabeth Barnes, b. Dec. 17, 
1788, dau. of William and Elizabeth (Brigham) 
Barnes of Marlboro'. She d. Aug. 29,''l845. 
He md. (2d) June 13, 1849, Dolly Wright, b. 
Oct. 6, 1798, dau. of Elijah and Lavina (Law- 
rence) Wright of Ashby. At this date he re- 
moved to Ashby, where he d. April 2, 1878. 
He never did any harm, and was constitutionally 
too indolent to do much good. " Persevere Mr. 
Crosby " was the frequent admonition of his 
wife who survived him and d. March 31, 1884. 

IV. Betsey, b. March 2, 1792; md. July 29, 1816, 
William Rugg of Leominster. 

V. Walter, h. Sept. 29, 1794; md. Sally Wheeler ; 
d. in Marlboro 1839. 

VI. Patty, b. in Ashburnham Aug. 8, 1796. 

VII. Harriet, b. June 21, 1799 ; md. Lovewell ; d. 

in Marlboro, 
viii. Hepsibeth. b. April 13, 1801 ; d. Dec. 28, 1819. 



660 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



23 
24 



25 
26 
27 



9 
10 

11 



(5) 



IX. Mary, b. March 28, 1803 ; md. Joseph Maynard. 

X. Josiah, b. April 6, 1805; md. March 21, 1834, 
Lydia Everbeck of Boston ; she d. June 8, 
1841 ; md. (2d) Dec. 7, 1842, Alice Ross. He 
resides in Arlington. 

XI. Almira, b. May 1, 1807; md. Asa Merriam, q. v. 
XII. Caroline, b. Dec. 3, 1809 ; md. John Barrell, q. v. 
XIII. Lucy, b. Oct. 3, 1812 ; md. March 29, 1836, Free- 
man Howe, son of Jonah and Catherine (Howe) 
Howe of Marlboro', where she d. Aug., 1885. 



Abraham Cdmmings removed from Attleborough to this 
town about 1787. He was a farmer and a blameless citi- 
zen. He md. previous to his arrival in this town Mary 
Bourne. Two children, not named below, d. in childhood. 

I. Abraham, b. July 30, 1787 ; d. June 17, 1809. 
II. Calvin, b. Oct. 10, 1792. He was a Methodist 
minister and removed from this town about 
1825. He md. Jan. 7, 1817, Matilda Wilcott. 
Vide Chap. XX. 

III. Maria, b. Oct. 5, 1794; md. Nov. 10, 1828, Sam- 

uel Cook. Resided in Franklin. 

IV. Ariel, b. Dec. 30, 1796. -|- 

V. Adin, b. Dec. 4, 1798. He resided in Rindge 
until 1855 when he removed to Jaffrey, N. H., 
where he d. He md. 1820, Sarah (Wetherbee) 
Breed, widow of Enoch Breed of Rindge. She 
d. June 29, 1840; md. (2d) 1841, Cynthia 
Brigham of Waltham. 

1. Adin Milton, b. July 20, 1821 ; md. Dec. 

5, 1843, Elizabeth M. Peaslee. Resides 
in Sutton, N. H. 

2. John Calvin, b. Feb. 27, 1843; d. 1864. 

VI. Ivers, b. June 22, 1800 ; removed to New York. 
VII. Andrew, b. May 11, 1802; md. Almira Fuller of 
Northbridge ; removed to Wenhall, Vt. 

VIII. Salli/, b. Feb. 29, 1806 ; md. Rawson ; d. in 

Wenhall, Vt. 

Ariel Cummings md. Feb. 28, 1822, Malison Currier, 
dau. of John and Susan (Orcut) Currier of Acworth, N. 
H., and granddau. of David and Martha (Ladd) Currier 
of Windham, N. H. He was a respectable citizen and a 
farmer, occupying the farm now of M. T. Russell in the 
north part of the town. He d. Aug. 28, 1872 ; she d. 
Oct. 7, 1874. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



661 



12 



13 
14 

15 
(13) 



16 



17 
18 
19 
20 
21 



I. Ariel Tcers, b. June 11, 1823. He was a physi- 
cian. Vide Chap. XX. He md. June 9, 1844, 
Mary C. Grant of Greenfield, N. H. He d. 
Sept. 9, 1863. They had one child, Helen, who 
was murdered at four years of age by an insane 
man in the presence of her mother. 
II. John Lauren, b. Aug. 25, 1824. -j- 

III. Lorinda, b. May 27, 1826 ; resides unmd. in Ash- 

burnham. 

IV. Viola 3L, b. Aug. 25, 1839 ; d. Feb. 3, 1845. 



John L. Cummings, Esq., md. Jan. 4, 1875, Ellen J. 
Adams of Nashua, N. H. He has been a Justice of the 
Peace many years and has frequently served on the board 
of Selectman, Assessors and Overseers of the Poor. From 
1875 to 1879 he was one of the Trustees of Westboro' 
Reform School. He resides in the Centre Village. No 
children. 



Hezekiah Commings, b. in Peacham, Vt., 1817, md. 
Sept. 9, 1842, Mariah H. Burr, b. Nov. 14, 1814, dau. 
of Seymour and Hannah (Roberts) Burr of Grantham, 
N. H. They resided in Barnet and Lunenburg, Vt., for 
several years and removed to this town. 

I. Hnttie Maria, b. Oct. 7, 1843 ; md. 1862, William 
H. Wright ; reside in Belmont, N. H. 

II. Albert Edwin, b. Oct. 15, 1847 ; md. 1867, Emma 

J. Willoughby ; reside in Lawrence. 

III. Lucia Ella, b. June 5, 1851 ; md. 1880, Charles 

S. Hart; reside in Boston. 

IV. George Seymour^ b. Dec. 12, 1854 ; is a physician 

in Manchester, N. H. 
V. Milo Burr, b. Dec. 28, 1856; md. 1881, Hannah 
L. Moore. He is a teacher of music ; resides 
in Leominster. 



CUSHING. 

The emigrant ancestor of all the families hearing the name of Gushing who 
have resided in Ashburnham was Matthew Gushing, a son of Peter and Susan 
(Hawes) Gushing. He was b. in Hinijhani, England, 1589. He md. Aug. 
5, 1613, Nazereth Pitcher, dau. of Henry Pitcher. Matthew and Nazereth 
Gushing with five children, aged from eleven to nineteen years, embarked 
in the ship Diligent, John Martin, master, and arrived in Boston Aug. 10, 
1638. Tliere were one liundred and tliirty-three passengers on the Diligent, 
many of wliom immediately commenced the settlement of Hingliam in New- 
England. Matthew Gushing was a deacon of the church of which Rev. Peter 
Hobart was the pastor. He d. Sept. 30, KJGO. Daniel Gusliing, eldest son 
of Matthew and Nazereth Gushing, was b. IGl'J, and, consequently, was 
nineteen years of age when he emigrated to New England. He md. June 19, 



o 



662 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

1645, Lydia Oilman, dau. of Edward Oilman; she d. March 12, 1689. He 
md. (2d) March 23, 1691, Elizabeth (Jacob) Thaxter, widow of John Thaxter 
and dau. of Nicliolas Jacob; she d. Nov. 24, 1725. He d. Dec. 3, 1G99. He 
was admitted freeman 1671, was a magistrate and for many years the town 
clerk of Hingham. He was representative 1681, 1682 and 1695. Of his six 
children the youngest was Matthew, b. July 15, 1660. He md. Dec. 31, 
1684, Jael Jacob, dau. of Col. John Jacob of Hingham. She d. Dec. 23, 
1708, and he d. Jmie 23, 1715. The fifth of their ten children was Rev. Job 
Gushing who was b. July 19, 1694. He graduated at Harvard University 
1714 and was ordained the first minister in Shrewsbury Dec. 4, 1723. He 
md. March 16, 1727, Mary Prentice, dau. of Rev. John and Mary Prentice 
of Lancaster, and continued in the ministry at Shrewsbury until his death 
Aug. 6, 1760. His widow d. May 27, 1798. The seventh of their eight 
children was Rev. John Gushing, D. D., of Asliburnham. 

Capt. David Gushing, who is number 17 in the following register, was a 
descendant of Theophilus Gushing, another son of Daniel and Lydia (Oilman) 
Gushing who was b. June 17, 1657; md. Dec. 7, 1689, Mary Thaxter, dau. 
of John Thaxter and d. Jan. 7, 1717. She d. 1737. Of their nine children 
the fifth was Gapt. Abel Gushing, b. Oct. 24, 1696. He md. Nov. 24, 1720, 
Mary Jacob and d. May 20, 1750. His third son was Gol. David, b. Sept. 7, 
1727; md. April 9, 1752, Ruth Lincoln who d. July 6, 1761. He md. (2d) 

Mabel who d. Aug. 14, 1798. He d. Feb. 15, 1800. Capt. David of 

Ashburnham was a son of the first wife and George Russell Gushing, Esq., 
number 63 in the following register, was a son of the second wife. 

The third lineage of the Gushing family in this town are descendants of 
John Gushing, who was the youngest son of Matthew Gushing the emigrant 
ancestor. He was b. in Hingham, England, 1627; md. Jan. 20, 1658, Sarah 
Hawke, dau. of Matthew Hawke. In 1662 he removed to Seituate. He was 
a prominent citizen and frequently employed in public affairs. He was 
selectman and a member of the General Court many years. He d. March 
31, 1708; his wife d. 1678. Their fourth child was Jeremiah Gushing, b. 
July 13, 1666. He md. April 12, 1693, Judith Parmenter and resided in 
Seituate, where he d. May 30, 1710. Ebenezer Gushing, third son of 
Jeremiah and Judith (Parmenter) Gushing, was b. May 25, 1704; md. Oct. 
19, 1732, Elizabeth Daniels. He removed from Seituate to Boston, where 
he d. 1792. Their fourth child was Benjamin Gushing, b. July 16, 1739; 
md. Oct. 13, 1761, Susannah Salter; md. (2d) July 26, 1770, Mary 
Golesworthy. The seventh child of Benjamin and Mary (Golesworthy) 
Gushing was Stephen Gushing who is number 71 in the register. 

It will be observed that Rev. John Gushing was of the fifth generation of 
this lineage, that Capt. David and George Russell Gushing, Esq., and Stephen 
Gushing, Esq., were of the sixth generation. 



Rev. John Gushing, D. D., youngest son of Rev. Job 
and Maiy (Pientice) Gushing, was b. in Shrewsbury 
Aug. 22, 1744. Graduated at Harvard University 1764, 
ordained at Ashburnham Nov. 2, 17G8, and d. in the 
(ifty-fifth year of his ministry April 27, 1823. For some 
account of an able and faithful minister vide Chap. VIII. 
He md Sept. 28, 1769, Sarah Parkraan, dau. of Rev. 
Ebenezer and Hannah (Breclv) Parkman of Westboro' 
and granddaughter of Rev. Robert Breck of Marlboro'. 
She was a woman of dignified manner, of superior mental 
ability and most estimable character. She d. March 12, 
182o, aged 82 years. They had eight children. 



10 

11 

12 

-(12) 



13 



14 
15 
16 



17 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. ggg 

I. John, b. Aug. 17, 1771 ; md. April 5, 1795, Julia 
Keith of Bridgewater. He was a merchant in 
Boston, where he d. May 17, 1806. 

1. Julia Ann, h. 1796; md. 1817, Benjamin 

F. Farnsworth. She d., leaving one 
son, 1819. 

2. Mary K., b. 1798; md. Moses Sawyer; 

d. 1828. She left two children. 

II. George A^tgustus,\). 3 i.m^, 24, 1773; md. Hannah 
B. Keith, a sister of the wife of his brother 
John. He d. Aug. 8, 1810. 

1. George A., b. 1802 ; d. March 28, 1823. 

HI. Henry, b. Nov. 4, 1774; d. unmd. April 17, 1839. 

IV. !Sarah, b. Feb. 23, 1777; md. Nov. 11, 1802, 
i Dea. Heman Lincoln, son of Heman and 
Elizabeth Lincoln of Hingham. In 1801 the 
parents of Dea. Lincoln removed from Hingham 
to the north part of Westminster and became 
members of the church in this town. Dea. 
Lincoln resided here a few years and removed 
to Boston. He was one of the trustees of the 
will of Thomas Parkman Gushing. 

v. Doddridge, h. Oct. 27, 1779; d. unmd. in Ash- 
burnham Jan. 12, 1866. 

VI. Mary, b. April 27, 1782 ; md. ElishaCoolidge, q. v. 

VII. Cyrus, b. Feb. 17, 1784; d. Feb. 6, 1795. 

VIII. Thomas Parkman, b. Oct. 7, 1787. -f- 



Thomas Parkman Gushing. Vide Ghap. XX. He 
md. Nov. 4, 1824, Sarah Barker Sigourney ; md. (2d) 
1831, Mrs. Martha Ann Sigourney; md. (3d) May 18, 
1843, Sarah Thompson Wayland. He d. Nov. 23, 1854. 

I. Sarah E. S., b. Feb. 26, 1832; md. May 17, 
1854, Edward Tuckerman, LL. D. Since 1858 
he was Professor of Botanv, Amherst Gollege, 
until his death March 15, 1886. 

II. Anna Louisa, b. April 26, 1834. 

III. John Cargill, b. Feb. 17, 1836 ; d. Aug. 21, 1836. 



IV. 



Martha, b. Nov. 14, 1837; md. July 18, 1867, 
William C. Esty, son of Rev. Isaac and Anna 
G. (Cole) Esty. He is professor of Mathematics 
and Astronomy, Amherst Gollege. 



Gapt. David Gushing, son of Gol. David and Ruth 
(Lincoln) Gushing, was b. in Hingham July 2, 1754. 



664 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



18 
19 
20 



21 

22 
23 

24 



25 

26 

27 

28 
29 

30 



(18) 



He md. Oct. 17, 1779, Hannah Cashing, dau. of Joseph 
and Sarah (Leavitt) Cashing, granddau. of Solomon 
and Sarah (Loring) Cashing, and great-granddau. of 
Matthew and Jael Cashing. She was a sister of the 
second wife of Col. Francis Lane and was b. in Hingham 
April 26, 1760. Capt. Cashing removed to this town 
1798. He was an innholder. a tanner and a farmer. He 
resided where Xahum TVood now lives. Tradition and 
the records are united in the assertion that Capt. Cashing 
was a man of good ability and a respected citizen. He 
d. Mays, 1827. She d. March 13, 1823. Seven children 
were b. in Hingham and one, the youngest, in Ashbnmham. 

I. Joseph, b. Jan. 23, 1781.+ 

11. Hannah, b. Jane 9, 1783 ; md. Silas Whitney, q. v. 

in. David, b. Nov. 7, 1785. He md. April 17, 1807, 
Polly Adams, dau. of John Adajas, q. v., and 
resided in Walpole, N. H. Three children. 
She d. Aug. 15, 1854. He d. 1827. 

rv. Susannah, h. Nov. 7, 1785; md. Oct. 8, 1811, 
Joseph Jewett. Jr., q. v. 

v, Laban, b. April 29, 1791.-f- 

VI. Deborah, b. Sept. 6, 1793 ; md. Josiah Fletcher, 

Jr , q. V. 
VII. Moses, b. March 20, 1796. Resided in Catharine, 
Schuyler Co., New York; the town is now 
called Havana. He md. Dec. 25, 1818, Gert- 
rude, dau. of Peter Polley, a. v. He d. Dec. 
29, 1883. She d. Feb. 26,^1867. They had 
five children. 

1. Susan, b. Sept. 20, 1820; d. March 20, 

1841. 

2. Betsey, b. Aug. 31, 1823 ; md. Joseph 

Cushing, q. v. 

3. Herman, b. Feb. 9, 1826; resides at 

Havana. 

4. Mary, b. April 12, 1830 ; d. June 19, 1859. 

5. Joseph,b. Oct. 31, 1838; d. June 30, 1858. 

vrn. Sarah Leavitt, b. Dec. 7, 1798 ; md. Ephraim 
May Cunningham, a iawj-er, who removed from 
this town to Reading a few years after his 
marriao;e. She d. about 1830. 



Joseph Cushing, son of Capt. David Cashing, removed 
from Ashburnham to Amherst, N. H., where he established 
the Farmers' Cabinet. The first number was issued Nov. 
11, 1802, and the paper has been continued to the present 



31 
32 
33 

34 

35 
36 
37 

(22) 



38 

39 
40 
41 



42 

43 
44 



GENEALOGICAL KEGISTER. 665 

time. "With Mr. Gushing and in this office lion. Isaac 
Hill learned the art of printing. In 1809 Mr. Cashing 
removed to Baltimore, Md., where for man}^ years he was 
a well-known publisher and bookseller. He was a member 
of the city government and of the State Legislature and 
for twenty -five years he was president of "-The Savings 
Bank of Baltimore." He md. 1805, Rebecca Edmands 
and d. 1852. 

I. Joseph, b. 1806 ; md. 1832, Ann Mackenzie. 
Four children. 

II. John, b. Aug. 29, 1808 ; md. Frances Cromwell, 

who d. March 13, 1865. Eight children. 

III. David, b. 1811 ; rnd. 1834, Catharine Jane 

McClennan. He d. Aug. 26, 1875. Eight 
children. 

IV. Rebecca, md. Hon. J. Wiley Edmands, son of 

Thomas and grandson of Thomas and Elizabeth 
(Wiley) Edmands. They reside in Newton. 
V. Mary, md. Erastus Edgarton. 
VI. Sarah, md. William H. Calwell of Baltimore, 
vii. Elizabeth, md. W. F. Sloan of Baltimore. 



Laban Cusiiing, son of Capt. David, was in the war of 
1812. In 1817 he removed to Brooklyn, Penn., and 
returned to Ashburnham in 1830. He md. April 23, 
1811, Nancy Whitnej% dau. of Silas Whitney, q. v. He 
d. in this town Oct. 17, 1847; she d. in Fitchburg Jan. 
27, 1871. They had twelve children. 

I. Nancy Whitney, b. June 20, 1813 ; md. John 

Muuroe, q. v. 
II. Sarah, b. May 18, 1815 ; md. Samuel Ellis, q. o. 
in. Joseph, b. Oct. G, 1817. + 
IV. Laban, b. March 22, 1820. Resides in Fitchburg ; 

md. May 31, 1847, Adaline Keyes, dau. of 

Silas and Julia (Brooks) Keyes of Princeton. 

Three children. 

1. Addie Auretta, b. Dec. 5, 1848 ; md. July 
22, 1874, Herbert N. Ru^g, son of Capt. 
William S. and Clarissa (Sawtelle) Rugg 
of Rindge. He is a wholesale and retail 
confectioner in Fitchburg. 

2. Eva Josephine, b. Oct. 1, 1852 ; md. May 
24, 1881, Granville Nutting of Waltham. 

3. Emma Julia, b. Sept. 10, 1855 ; md. Jan. 
27, 1881, Robert M. .Jones, son of 
Henry E. and Lydia H. Jones. 



€66 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



45 

46 
47 

48 
49 

50 
51 

52 

53 

54 

55 
56 

57 

58 

59 

(40) 



V. Rebecca A., b. Sept. 12, 1822; md. Isaac D. 

Ward, q. v. 

VI. Susan A., b. Nov. 13, 1824 ; md. Jonas Core}^ 

g. V. 
vii. Mary Jane, b, Feb. 27, 1826 ; md. May 21, 1844, 
Gardner P. Hawkins of Fitchburg ; she d. Dec. 
5, 1874. Four children, 

1. Ellen C, b. March 7, 1847; md. April 7, 

1881, William H. McGrathof New York. 

2. Herbert G., b. June 23, 1849; md. Oct. 

24, 1876, Hattie R. Wilson ; she d. July 
3, 1879. 

3. Abbott C, b. Dec. 4, 1855 ; md. Feb. 6, 

1886, Carrie M. Eldridge. 

4. Gertrude, b. Dec. 5, 1858 ; md. June 12, 

1879, Charles F. Wilson of Fitchburg. 

viii. Charles (?., b. Feb. 16, 1829 ; md. Oct. 23, 1856, 
Jane E. Willard, dau. of John Willard, q. v. 
They subsequently removed to Fitchburg and 
now reside in Lunenburg. 

1. Martha W., b. Oct. 13, 1862 ; d. Jan. 22, 

1863. 

2. John W., b. April 12, 1864; d. Aug. 1, 

1864. 

3. Charles W., b. Sept. 4, 1866. 

IX. Harriet 3Iaria, b. Aug. 22, 1831 ; md. Porter E. 

Barton. 

X. George Russell, b. Sept. 8, 1835 ; md. Julia 

Thompson. 
XI. David M.,h. Oct. 11, 1839; md. Oct. 6, 1860, 

Ellen A. Foster. 
XII. Hannah Elizabeth,' b. July 29, 1841 ; md. Dec. 
14, 1859, George S. Doe of Great Falls, N. H. 



Joseph Cushing has been a resident of Fitchburg about 
forty j'ears. Early in life he began business on a 
moderate scale and without capital. The most available 
means which sustained his early ventures was a cheerful 
temperament and unflinching courage. After a reasonable 
measure of success iu the livery business, he engaged in 
company with David F. Mclntire in the lumber trade in 
which he continued until 1858. Mr. Cushing at this time 
opened a flour and grain store under the American House 
and here he industriously laid the foundations of an 
extensive trade which he has successfully conducted to 





(^ 



'6^r-t^^^ ^^^-^ 



60 

61 
62 

63 



64 



65 
66 

67 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 667 

the present time. About twenty years ago he purchased 
the '^ Stone Mill" and from time to time he has enlarged 
the business to a present volume of three-fourths of a 
million dollars annually. His shipments of corn and 
other supplies of grain and of flour from the West are 
sold in Fitchburg and at branch stores in Waltham, 
Winchendou, Keene and Bellows Falls. The first freight 
through Hoosac Tunnel was a train of twenty-two cars 
laden'with grain and consigned to Mr. Gushing. 

In his intercourse with his fellow-men he is frank and 
cordial, and in his sympathies and tastes he is one of the 
people. He md. July 22, 1841, Elmira Marble, dau. of 
Stephen Marble, q. v.; she d. 1845 ; md. (2d) Feb. 31, 
1847, Mary Ann Arnold who d. Aug. 23, 1866; md. 
(3d) 1868, Betsey Gushing, dau. of Moses Gushing, q. v.; 
she d. Sept. 23, 1875. 

I. Milton Jf., b. Sept. 4, 1844; md. June 12, 1867, 
Ellen M. Leland. He d. in Fitchburg May 9, 
1879. 

II. Joseph. 

III. Susan, md. C. P. Dickinson of Fitchburg. 



George Russell Gushing, Esq., son of Col. David and 
Mabel Gushing, and a half brother of Capt. David 
Gushing, was b. in Hingham April 24, 1768. He removed 
to Ashburnham in 1800. In early life he was a sea-faring 
man and had commanded several vessels in the European 
and West India trade. He was a man of good judgment 
and maintained a prominent position in public affairs. 
He md. Aug. 13, 1801. Catharine Willard, dau. of Jacob 
Willard, q. v. She d. April 28, 1825. He md. (2d) 
March 22, 1826, Hannah Russell Hill, dau. of Isaac Hill, 
q. V. He d. Feb. 2, 1851. 

I. George WHlard, b. Oct. 21, 1811 ; md. Julia Anna 
Gibson, dau. of Samuel Gibson of Ashby. He 
d. Nov. 5, 185G ; she d. Oct. 1, 1880. 

1. Pyam Burr, b. Dec. 19, 1842 ; d. 1843. 

2. Sewell Gibson (twin), b. Dec. 19, 1842; 
d. 1843. 

3. Catherine, md. Brown. 

68 I II. Charles AVenshy.h. May 31, 1816; md. Nov. 5, 

! 1837, Mary Bathsheba Dakin. Removed to 

New Hampshire. 

69 1. George G., b. Sept. 10, 1838. 

70 2. Charles R., b. Oct. 27, 1840. 



668 



HISTORY OF ASIIBURNIIAM. 



71 



D 



72 

73 

74 

75 
76 



77 
78 
79 



Stephen Gushing, son of Renjamin and Mary (Coles- 
worthy) Cushing, was b. in Boston Jnne 21, 1784. He 
md. May 13, 1812, Eliza Goodale, b. in Boston Dec. 11, 
1790. For several years he was a mast-raaker and was 
engaged in this business in company with an older brother. 
In 1818 the brother retired and the business was success- 
fully continued by Mr. Gushing until 1830 when he re- 
moved to this town. He was upright and conscientious 
in all his business and social relations and as a citizen the 
influence of his exalted character was firm and salutary. 
He was distinguished for integrity, and through a long 
and useful life the purity of his motives and an unfailing 
kindness to his fellow-men were conspicuous. His name 
is frequently mentioned in the annals of Ashburnham. In 
18.'38 he represented the town in the Legislature. At this 
time the first petition to the Legislature for a restrictive 
temperance law originated in this town and to Mr. Cush- 
ing fell the honor of presenting it in tlie House of Repre- 
sentatives. The names of all who voted for the measure, 
headed by Mr. Gushing, was posted in one of the public 
inns of Boston as a mark of disapproval of prohibitory 
legislation. From that time to the present, neither the 
courage of men like Mr. Gushing nor the spirit of the 
hotels have suffered any abatement. He d. July 22, 1872. 
His wife d. Sept. 12, 1854. 

I. Stephen, b. March 15, 1813. Vide Chap. XX. 
Rev. Stephen Gushing md. April 13, 1834, 
Levina Glazier Whitney of Westminster. Two 
children. 



1. Joseph Wliitney, b. Jan. 

physician in Boston. 

2. Stephen, b. May 29, 1841 

Boston . 



26, 1837; a 
a physician in 



II. Eliza, b. April 18, 1815 ; md. May 9, 1832, John 

Whitnej' of Westminster, 
m. Benjamin, b. Feb. 19, 1817; md. May 30, 1838, 

Belinda Whitney of Westminster. She d. Jan. 

5, 1841. He md. (2d) May 18, 1841, Lois S. 

Holbrook, dau. of Jesse Holbrook, q. v. He 

resides, a farmer, on the old homestead on the 

east side of the common. 

1. Sarah Page, b. Aug. 24, 1840; resides 

unmd. in Ashburnham. 

2. Edwin James, b. March 20, 1<S42 ; md. 

Laura E. Bean ; resides in Gardner. 

3. Benjamin, b. Feb. 23, 1844. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



669 



80 

81 
82 
83 



84 

85 
86 

87 



89 



90 



4. Linda Whitney, b. Feb. 17, 1846; md. 

1870, John J. Greenough of Deerfield. 

5. Joseph G., b. Dec. 26, 1847. 

6. Eliza, b. July 18, 1849. 

7. Anna Elizabeth, b. May 15, 1851 ; md. 

Nov. 2, 1883, F. Herbert Andrews of 
West Deerfield. 

8. Henry E., b. Nov. 30, 1853 ; a physician 

in Champion, 111. Vide Chap. XX. 

9. Frederic, b. Feb. 23, 1857. 

10. Mary Ellen, b. July 28, 1859. 

11. Alfred Holbrook, b. Oct. 10, 1861; md. 

Hattie M. Reed, dau. of George and 
Laura (Kelton) Reed. 

IV. Sarah Page, h. April 22, 1819 ; md. June 19, 1851, 
Joseph B. Jewett. She d. Aug. 21, 1874, and 
he md. her youngest sister. 
V. JoJm Fletcher, b. Sept. 15,1823; md. May 18, 
1853, Lucy Ann Whittemore. He is a chair- 
maker ; resides in Ashburnham. 

VI. Ann Bowker, b. April 17, 1826; md. Nov. 17, 
1875, Joseph B. Jewett of Ashby. 



CUTLER. 

James Cutler, the emigrant ancestor of one branch of the Cutler families 
of this country, was b. in England IGOG, and probably was md. to his wife 
Anna before he left England. He was in Watertown in 1635, where he was 
admitted an inhabitant and a lot of land was assigned him. About 1050 he 
sold his lands in Watertown and removed to Cambridge Farms, and at a 
point which is now in Bedford. His wife Anna d. Sept. 30, 1644; he md. 
(2d) March 9, 1645, Mary King, widow of Thomas King of Watertown. She 
d. Dec. 7, 1654, and he md. (3d) Phebe Page, dau. of John and Phebe Page. 
He d. May 17, 1794, aged 88 years. Thomas Cutler, the sixth of the twelve 
children of the emigrant ancestor and the eldest son of the second wife, was 
b. about 1648. He was styled a lieutenant and was a constable, assessor and 
selectman of Lexington. He d. July 13, 1722. By wife Abigail he had 
seven children, and among them was Jonathan Cutler, b. 1688. He md. Aug. 
17, 1710, Abigail Bigelow, b. May 7, 1687, dau. of Samuel and Mary (Flagg) 
Bigelow of Watertown. He removed to Connecticut, residing in Colchester 
and Killingly, now Thompson. He md. (2d) Abigail Dewing of Bellingham 
and it appears that he was a resident of Bellingham a short time, about 1727. 

Capt. William Cutler, son of Jonathan, b. March 24, 1726, removed 
from Killingly to Plainfield, Conn., where he md. Nov. 7, 1750, Susannah 
Shepherd who d. 1798. He was again md. and d. in 1802. He was a man 
of enterprise and he acquired a good estate. Jonathan Cutler, son of Capt. 
William, b. about 1755, md. Keziah Hutchins and settled in Plainfield. He 
is described as a man of excellent character, of pleasing manners and of fine 
personal appearance. Of their six children Dr. William H. Cutler of this 
town was the eldest. 



Du. WiLLi.VM Hutchins Cdtlek, son of Jonathan and 
Keziah (Hutchins) Cutler, was b. in Plainfield, Conn., 



670 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



O 



10 

11 



12 



July 27, 1787. For many years he was a resident physi- 
cian and esteemed citizen of this town. Vide Chap. XX. 
He md. June 16, 1814, Abigail Hale Lowe, dan. of Dr. 
Abraham Lowe, q. v. He d. in Audover, at the home of 
his daughter, July 16, 1867. Three children were b. in 
Wiucheudon ; four in New Salem and four in this town. 

I. William Jonathan^ b. April 19, 1815 ; he is the 
senior partner in the well-known firm of Cutler 
Brothers, importers and wholesale druggists, 
Boston. He md. April 4, 1843, Lucia C. Wash- 
burn of Bridgewater ; (2d) March 21, 1855, 
Cordelia A. Ripley of Brookiine ; (3d) Feb. 18, 
1857, Mrs. Lucy L. Carter of Newtonville. 

II. Abigail Hale, b. June 8, 1816 ; md. Jan. 25, 
1836, Dea. Albert Abbott, a prominent and use- 
ful citizen of Andover. 

III. Abraham Lowe, b. June 3, 1818 ; he resides in 

Brookiine and is senior member of the firm of 
A. L. Cutler & Co., wholesale dealers in Paints 
and Oils, Boston. He md. Oct. 30, 1844, Har- 
riet H. Sewall of Bath, Me. 

IV. Sarah Lincoln, b. Nov. 12, 1819 ; d. Sept. 25, 

1839. 
V. George, b. April 23, 1821 ; of the firm of Cutler 
Brothers ; resides in Boston ; md. May 23, 
1855, Julia S. Hinks ; (2d) July 9, 1863, 
Josephine Hinks of Brewer, Me. 
Edioard, b. Feb. 9, 1824; d. Jan. 16, 1825. 
Edivard Waldo, b. June 17, 1826 ; of the firm of 
Cutler Brothers ; resides in Boston. Md. Sept. 
28, 1853, Caroline M. Henderson of Boston. 
Charlotte Keziali, b. Jan. 29, 1831 ; d. Feb. 2, 
1831. 
IX. Charles, b. Jan. 29, 1831 ; d. Feb. 3, 1831. 
X. Catherine Mary, b. Jan. 29, 1831 ; d. Feb. 4, 
1831. 

The three children were buried Feb. 6. 
XI. Charles Henry, b. March 29, 1833 ; he is of the 
firm of C. T. Eaynolds & Co., Paints and Oils, 
Chicago, 111. He md. Oct. 23, 1872, Hannah 
S. Coffin of Cincinnati, Ohio. 



VI. 
VII. 



VIII. 



Nathaniel Cutter removed from Westminster to Ash- 
burnham 1816. He was b. in Westminster June 5, 1789, 
and was a son of Josiah and Sally (Seaver) Cutter and a 
grandson of Nathaniel and Submit (Whitcomb) Cutter of 
Sudbury. He was a farmer in the southeast part of the 



(2) 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 671 

town. In 1850 he removed to Fitchburg and subsequently 
to AVorcester. He md. March 23, 1813, Abigail Taylor, 
dau. of Samuel and Prudence (Winship) Taylor of West- 
minster. She d. in Fitchburg Aug. 22, 1861. He d. in 
AVorcester Sept. 27, 1880. 

I. Nathaniel F., b. in AVestminster, Sept. 26, 1815. -|- 
II. Abigail P., b. in Ashburnham Sept. 18, 1817; 
md. Joseph Smith, q. v. 

III. Sarah Arvilla, h. J n\y 18, 1820; md. Sept. 25, 

1843, Charles Lelaud of Milford. Four children. 

IV. Louisa 31., b. April 1, 1824; md. 1847, AYarren 

Ellis of Milford. She d. April 18, 1861. Three 
children. 



10 



Nathaniel F. Cuttek md. Oct. 14, 1835, Nancy H. 
Clark, dau. of David and Betsey (Rugg) Clark of 
AA^orcester ; she d. April 6, 18G3 ; he md. (2d) Sept. 15, 
1864, Eliza B. Rugg, dau. of John and Sally (Phelps) 
Rugg of AVorcester. She d. Aug. 17, 1885. He was an 
officer in the Light Infantry. He resided in this town 
until 1850, when he removed to AVorcester and was there 
engaged in the manufacture of plows. He had b}' first 
wife one son b. in this town. 

I. Charles Nathaniel, b. Dec. 21, 1837 ; md. July I), 
1863, Louisa M. Parker, dau. of Fessenden and 
Louisa (Hall) Parker of AVestmoreland, A"t. ; 
she d. in AA^orcester Feb. 14, 1864 ; he md. (2d) 
Abbie T. Moore, dau. of AVentworth and Abi- 
gail M. (Howe) Moore of AVorcester. 



Ephraim Cutter was not a resident of Ashburnham, 
but after his death his widow and children resided here. 
He was a son of Ephraim and Deborah (Locke) Cutter 
and was b. in Charlestown Dec. 2, 1794. He md. Oct. 
12, 1817, Sarah A. Russell, dau. of Thomas Russell, q. v. 
He was a grain dealer in AVest Cambridge where he d. 
April 4, 1826 ; his widow md. Joseph Harris, q. v. 

I. Ephraim, b. Oct. 4, 1818 ; resides unmd. in this 
town. 

II. Sarah Adams, b. Nov. 12, 1820; md. Nov. 29, 
1838, Luther L. Barrel!, son of Luther Barrell 
of AVestminster. They removed to St. Louis, 
Mo., where he d. May 20, 1866. Five of their 
seven children d. in infancy. 

m. Clara C. b. Jan. 12, 1823 ; md. Feb. 14, 1842, 



672 



HISTOEY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



11 



12 



13 



14 



15 

16 
17 



William Fillebrown of West Cambridge. He d. 
May 8, 1883. Six children. 
IV. Charles Russell^ b. Jan. 27, 1825 ; md. Dec. 23, 
1847, Antoinette Pamelia Parker, dau. of IloUis 
and Pamelia A. (Pease) Parker. Resided in 
Boston. He d. Feb. 12, 1877. Two children. 

Joseph Cutter, b. in Watertown Sept. 9, 1810, removed 
to this town 1837. He md. Jul}' 1, 1841, Ruth Ann 
Gilchrist, dau. of John Gilchrist of Lunenburg ; she d. 
Aug. 8, 1845. He md. (2d) Nov. 7, 1848, Martha V. 
Milliken, dau. of William and Anna (Carlton) Milliken 
of Sharon, N. H. 

I. Gertrude Sarah Louisa, b. Jan. 22, 1844 ; md. 
1862, Frank A. Wood, son of Allen Wood of 
Westminster. 



James Cotter removed from Pelham, N. H., to this 
town 1860. He is a son of John and Phebe (Rhoades) 
Cutter of Grafton, Vt., and a grandson of Seth and 
Abiah (Tallant) Cutter of Pelham, N. H. He was b. in 
Grafton, Vt., March 28, 1817, and is of the seventh 
generation of his family in this country. He md. Dec. 
28, 1846, Lydia Ann Sweetser of North Yarmouth, Me. 
Their three children were b. in Pelham, N. H. 

I. Sophia E., b. Nov. 28, 1847 ; md. July 31, 1866, 
Sumner H. Upham ; resides at South Village. 

II. Samuel S., b. Oct. 31, 1851 ; d. Dec. 16, 1851. 

III. James S., b. May 4, 1853; md. Oct. 14, 1878, 

Mary Ellen Puffer, dau. of Charles H. Puffer, 
q. V. ; resides in this town. 



CUTTING. 

Samuel Cdtting, the first of the name in Ashbiirnham, was of the fifth 
generation of his family in this country. The successive generations appear 
in Bond's Watertown. Hicliard Cutting, aged eleven years, embarked at 
Ipswich, England, for America in April, 1634. With him came William 
Cutting, perhaps an elder brother. He settled in Watertown and was 
admitted freeman April 18, 1690. His wife Sarah d. Nov. 4, 1685, aged 69 
years. He d. March 21, 1695-6. His son James Cutting, b. Jan. 26, 1647-8, 
md. June 16, 1669, Hannah Cotler. Their fourth son was Jonathan Cutting, 
b. Jan 12, 1687-8. He md. Jan. 5, 1709-10, Sarah Flagg, dau. of Allen and 
Sarah (Ball) Flagg. He d. May 29, 1754; she d. Sept. 3, 1774. Their 
eldest son Kichard Cutting, b. July 30, 1710, md. April 20, 1738, Thankful 
Harrington, dau. of George and Abiel (Parker) Harrington. They resided 
in Waltham, where their eight children were b. and where he d. Sept. 22, 
1767. His widow md. (2d) March 15, 1770, Samuel Livermore, Esq. She 
d. Nov. i, 1772, aged 55 years. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



G73 



Samuel Cutting, sou of llichanl and Tliankful (Harring- 
ton) Cutting, was b. in A\^altliam Oct. 19, 1747. He md. 
March 9, 1769, Eunice Coolidge, dau. of William and 
Mary (Mixer) Coolidge. She was a sister of the wife of 
Col. Francis Lane and a niece of P^lisha Coolidge. an 
early resident of this town. She was b. in Waltham Jan. 
12, 1748. They removed to Ashburnhara in 1773. The 
name in this town is generally written Cotting. He was 
an intelligent, active man, of unblemished character. He 
d. Dec. 31, 1794. Two children were b. in Waltham and 
ten in Ashburnham. 

I. Anna, b. 1770; md. Simon Willard, g. v. 
II. Samuel, b. April 20, 1772; md. 1803, Hannah 
Goodridge of Fitchburg. Removed to Rutland, 
Vt. 

III. Hepsihah, b. Sept. 11, 1773 ; md. Nathaniel F'os- 

ter, q. V. 

IV. William, b. July 21, 1775; d. April 11, 1776. 

v. Betty (twin), b. July 21, 1775 ; d. June 4, 1776. 
VI. Elizabeth, bap. March 2, 1777 ; md. Oct. 18, 1795, 

Jacob Brooks ; d. in Cambridge April 5, 1861 ; 

buried in Ashburnham, 

VII. Rhoda, bap. Jan. 17, 1779 ; d. Nov. 16, 1794. 

VIII. Martha, bap. July 11, 1781 ; d. 1783. 

IX. Mary (twin), bap. July 11, 1781 ; d. 1783. 

X. Lucy, b. Nov. 15, 1784 ; md. Josiah Davis, q. v. 

XI. John, b. Dec. 31, 1786. He was blind from 

youth ; resided in this town ; d. unmd. Nov. 26, 
1866. 
XII. Charles, b. 1791 ; d. March 3, 1798. 



Asa Dame, son of Henry and Susan (Frazer) Dame, 
was b. in Canada July 9, 1846. He came to Ashburnham 
1855 and has been an overseer in the cotton mills many 
years. He md. Dec. 4, 1873, Amelia Lesure, b. Sept. 
23, 1850. 

I. Maria A., b. Jan. 4, 1875. 
II. Mary L.^ b. June 21, 1876. 



DANA. 

The name of Dana is intimately associated with the early annals of 
Ashburnham. Caleb Dana, Esq., of Canibrids^e, was the principal proprietor 
and his name frequently occurs in the early chapters, but he never resided in 
this town. He was a son of Daniel and Naomi (Croswell) Dana of 
Cambridge, b. 1()!)7; md. Phebe Chandler and d. 1772. Richard Dana, who 
was proprietor's clerk several years, was a brother of Caleb, b. 1700; md. 
Lydia Trowbridge and d. 1772. lie was a distinguished counsellor-at-Iaw. 
The following members of this family have resided in this town. 
43 



674 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



11 

12 
13 

14 



George Dana, a sou of Caleb and Phebe (Chandler) 
Dana, was b. in Cambridge 1742. He md. Feb. 14, 
1764, Margaret Clark, b. July 7, 1743, dau. of Capt. 
John and ^Hannah (Cutting) Clark of Waltham. They 
resided a short time in Stow, where she d. Oct. 3, 1770. 
He md. (2d) Elizabeth Park. They removed to this 
town probably- in 1773. He assumed control and subse- 
quently appears as the owner of the lands formerl3' of his 
father. He was an innholder and frequently employed in 
public affairs. He was a sergeant in Capt. Gates' 
company 1775. Mr. Cushing records his death: " George 
Dana died of dropsy and consumption of ye liver April 
11, 1787." His widow md. (2d) March 21, 1790, Capt. 
Alexander Parmele and subsequentl}^ resided in Wood- 
stock, Vt., where she d. 1811. Capt. Parmele d. a few 
years previously. 

I, George, b. Nov., 1764; md. Hannah Lathrop and 

resided in Sharon, Vt. 
II. Polly, b. 1767 ; md. Daniel Comstock of Danbury, 

Conn. 
Sarah, b. 1770; d. young. 
Echmmd, b. 1772. 

Elizabeth, bap. 1774; d. Feb. 15, 1777. 
Sarah Ballard, bap. 1775 ; d. Jan. 22, 1777. 
Thomas, bap. 1777. 
John Clark, bap. 1779. 
Ja^nes, b. May 29, 1780; md. May 7, 1812, 

Hannah D wight. He was a merchant in Utica, 

N. Y. 

X. Charles, b. Nov. 6, 1781 ; md. Jan. 20, 1808, 
Mary Gay Swan. He d. at Woodstock, Vt. 

XI. Infant, d. May 18, 1783. 
XII. Infant, b. 1784; d. Aug. 24, 1786. 



4 


III 


5 


IV. 


6 


V. 


7 


VI. 


8 


VII 


9 


VIII 


10 


IX 



Ezra Dana resided in this town from about 1790 to 
1800. He was a son of William Dana and was b. in 
Cambridge Sept. 29, 1755. Mr. Dana built the first mill 
at Burrageville and soon after removed from town and no 
record of his subsequent career has appeared. I have no 
information of his family beyond the record of the death 
of an infant Jan. 10, 1794. 



Capt. Deliverance Davis, settled in this town as early 
as 1764. He was a son of Ebenezer and Sarah Davis 
and was born in Littleton June 30,1736. Previous to his 
removal to this town he married Dorothy AVood, b. March 
7, 1741, dau. of Bennett and Lydia (Law) Wood of 



10 

11 

12 



(2) 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 675 

Littleton, and granddaughter of Jeremiah and Dorothy 
(Bennett) Wood of Stow, and, subsequently, of Littleton. 
Capt. Davis was an innholder in this town in 1767 and 
several later j^ears. He resided on the David Russell place, 
and later, in the north part of the town, since occupied by 
his descendants, and for many years he was a prominent 
man in the affairs of the town. He was captain of one 
of the companies of minute-men in 1775. Vide Chap. V. 
He d. June 16, 1789. She d. May 10, 1790. The eldest 
son was b. in Littleton. 

I. Ehenezer Bennett, b. Feb. 4, 1761. -|- 
II. Oliver Taylor, b. Nov. 22, 1762 ; md. Mary Saw- 
yer and resided in Harvard.. He d. 1841, 
leaving eight children. 

III. Lydia, b. Jan. 15, 1765 ; d. unmd. Aug. 10, 

1787. 

IV. Sarah, b, Feb. 18, 1767; md. David Clark, Jr., 

q. V. 
V. Dolly, b. May 30, 1769; md. Ephraim Randall, 
q. V. 

VI. Liccy, b. June 3. 1771 ; md. Stewart; resided 

in Grafton, Vt. 
VII. Zadoc, b. Nov. 24, 1773 ; d. Sept. 4, 1778. 

VIII. Susannah, b. Feb. 11, 1776; md. Pratt; 

resided in Grafton, Vt. 
IX. Milly, b. March 8, 1778; md. Moore; re- 
sided in Maine. 
X. Zadoc, b. May 14, 1780 ; resided in Maine. 
XI. Deliverance, h. Dec. ]9, 1783; resided in Maine. 
The brothers Oliver, Zadoc and Deliverance 
had families, but no I'ecords are at hand 



13 
14 

15 



Ebenezer Bennett . Davis served three years in the 
Revolution. Vide Chapters V and VI. He was a farmer and 
lived in the north part of the town, where his son, Dea. 
John C. Davis, resided. Without ostentation he quietly 
performed the duties of a good citizen and was respected 
by all who knew him. He md. Jan. 12, 1786, Mary 
Townsend, dan. of Joshua Townsend, q. v. She d. 
March 16,1787; he md. (2d) Feb. 5, 1789, Elizabeth 
Sargent of Princeton, b. in Bolton March 12, 1758. 
He d. Jan. 7, 1838 ; she d. Jan. 19, 1838. 

I. Infant, b. and d. March 16, 1787. 
II. Mary Toivnsend (twin),b. INLarch 16, 1787; md. 

Jan. 1, 1837, Abraham Foster, q. v. 
III. Amos, b. July 31, 1789; md. Alraira Fuller, and 
resided in Grafton, Vt. 



676 



HISTOKY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



16 


IV. 


17 


V. 


18 


VI. 


19 


VII. 


20 


VIII. 



21 



(17) 



22 

23 

24 
25 

26 
(19) 



Ebenezer, h. July 30, 1792; d. unmd. Nov. 1, 

18:35. 
Elizabeth (twiu), b. July 30,1792 ; d. uumd. Dec. 

24, 1863. 
Joseph, b. Sept. 5, 1794.-]- 
Charles, b. Juue 11, 1797.-f- 
Charlotte (twin) , h. June 11,1797; unmd. She 

is the oldest resident of this town. 
John Gushing, b. Jan. 29, 1801. -[- 



Joseph Davis was early engaged with his brothers in the 
manufacture of chairs ; subsequently he was a farmer. 
He owned the farm on which the almshouse is situated, 
and which he sold to the town. He removed in 1840 to 
Rindge, where he d. Oct. 10, 1873. He lived above re- 
proach. He md. May 26, 1828, Huldah Lawrence, 
dau. of Reuben and Lois (Tennev) Lawrence, of Ashley. 
She d. Dec. 9, 1838 ; he md. Aprifl5, 1839, Jane Mclntyre, 
dau. of Jacob and Polly (Russell) Mclntyre, q.v. ; she 
d. Feb. 22, 1846; he md. (3d) Feb. 11, 1847, Rachel 
Brooks, dan. of Stephen and Rachel (Taylor) Brooks of 
New Ipswich, and a sister of Dea. Harvey Brooks of 
this town. 

I. Harriet Augusta, b. Aug. 16, 1829; md. Nov.. 1858, 
Derostus P. Emory, son of Derostus W. and 
Mary (Pierce) Emory. They reside in Jaffrey, 
N. H. 
II. George TT., b. May 22, 1832 ; md. Aug. 16, 1861, 
Melissa A. Metcalf, dau. of Erastus and Har- 
riet (Aldrich) Metcalf. He is a successful mer- 
chant in Hudson. 

III. Andrew Lysander, b. Dec. 14, 1834 ; d. Feb. 27, 

1836. 

IV. E7nih/ F.. b. Sept. 15, 1836; md. Samuel W. 

Kimball, sou of Samuel M. and Melinda (Pierce) 
Kimball. They resided in Rindge where she d. 
V. Joseph Lysander, b. in Rindge. May 29, 1843 ; 
drowned in Deerfield Oct. 14, 1869. 



Charles Davis was one of the pioneer manufacturers of 
chairs iu this town, and in connection with his brothers 
it is claimed that he was the first to employ water power 
in tbis business. He md. Oct. 11, 1812, Elvira Buss, 
of Sterling, who d. June 11, 1833 ; he md. (2d) Aug. 27, 
1834, Nabby Buss of Sterling. He d. Sept. 20, 1837 ; she 
d. June 2, 1871. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 677 

I. Charles Eclson, b. May 11, 1822; he was a phy- 
sician. Vide Chap. XX. He md. May 13, 
1856, Rebecca C. Crowley, of Enfield. He d. 
June 8, 1863. 

1. Charles O., b. June 1, 1857. 

II. Oliver, b. Aug. 7, 1823. Vide Chap. XX. He 
died unmd, March 1, 1853. 

III. Mary Elizabeth, b. May 1, 1825; died in Boston, 

unmd. April 30, 1886. 

IV. Ruhamah )17i<i?iey, b. March 30, 1827; d. March 

25, 1833. 

V. Sarah, b. March 23, 1829 ; d. unmd. Nov. 9, 1853. 

VI. Laura Elvira, b. March 6, 1831 ; md. Nov. 11, 

1858, David W. Miller, of Westminister. 
They reside in Gardner. 

1. Charles 0., b. March 9, 1861 ; md. Jan. 9, 

1883, Mary Dargie. 

2. George W., b. Nov. 30, 1866. 

VII. Ruhamah mdtney, b. Mav 3, 1833 ; d. Feb. 17, 
1848. 



Dea. John C. Davis resided on the farm occupied by 
his father and by his grandfather. He was a manufac- 
turer of chairs and a farmer. He d. June 19, 1883. 
His widow, advanced in years, resides upon the home- 
stead and near the place of her birth. 

I. Lucy Orintha, b. Nov. 22, 1826; md. Jan. 25, 
1848, Charles Allen, sou of Salmon and Sophia 
(Sawtell) Allen of Rindge. They reside in 
Fitcbburg, 

11. Phehe Elizabeth, b. Nov. 15, 1830 ; md, June 11, 
1850, Edward F. Rollins ; he was a lieutenant 
in the war of the rebellion. They reside in 
Boston. 

III. Elmira C, b. Dec. 9, 1834 ; md. April 30, 1862, 
Frank N. Harris, son of William Harris, q. v. 

Amos Davis, birth and parentage unknown ; removed 
to this town from Sudbury about 1818. He had a large 
family, and had previously resided a short time in Maine. 
I have no record of his marriage, but find ample evidence 
of the event in the number of his children. He d. Sept. 
16, 1S30, aged 80 years ; his wife d. Aug. :>, 1829. It is 
probable that the children are not named in the order of 
age. 



678 



HISTORY OF ASHBUIINHAM. 



41 

42 
43 
44 



45 

46 
47 



48 
49 
50 
51 
52 

53 

54 



55 

56 
57 

58 

59 



60 



II. 
III. 

IV. 



VI. 
VII. 



VIII. 

IX. 

X. 



Jonas, b. 1781 ; d. in this town, unmd., Aug. 2, 

1864. 
Jonathan. 

Susannah, md. John Wilson, q. v. 
Joseph, md. ; she d. April 7, 1818 ; md. 

(2d) March 7, 1819, Molly 8. Gates, dau. of 

Heniy Gates, q. v. ; she d. Sept. 27, 1834. 
Amos was md. ; buried several children in this 

town ; removed to Vermont. 
Lucy, md. April 20, 1819, William Pollard, q. v. 
Aaron, vad. April 12, 1819, Rebecca Anne Stewart. 

She was a native of New Zealand. Her swarthy 
complexion indicates that she was born under the 
tropical sun. 

1. Elizabeth Inches, b. June 20, 1824. 

2. John Alexander Stewart, b. Jul}^ 16, 1825. 

3. Charles Robert Wilson, b. March 23, 1827. 

4. George Washington, b. Oct. 9, 1831. 

5. Henry Albert, b. April 22, 1833. 

Ruth, d. young. 

Sally, md. 1834, Joshua Stowell, q. v. 

Adam S., b. 1800; md. 1826, Martha Cowdin ; 
she d. Oct. 10, 1856. He md. (2d) 1858, 
widow L3Tlia Stinegar, of unsavory reputation. 
He d. May 12, 1881 ; she d. Aug. 14, 1875. 

1. Mary Amanda, b. Nov. 19, 1828; d. Jan. 

12, 1829. 

2. George W., b. Jan. 3, 1830; d. Feb. 20, 

1830. 

3. Mary C, b. June 23, 1831 ; d. Sept. 9, 

1834. 

4. Sarah Samautha, b. Oct. 30, 1833. 



JosiAH Davis, b. May 6, 1779 ; md. 1800, Sarah Piper, 
b. Aug. 22, 1783, (^au. of Jonathan and Elizabeth Piper. 
They resided many years in Ashby, where she d. about 
1830. He md. (2d) April 21, 1836, Lucy Cutting, dau. 
of Samuel Cutting, q. v., and removed to this town, 
where he d. She d. Feb. 15, 1869. 

Aloxzo p. Davis, son of Josiah and Sarah (Piper) 
Davis, 1>. in Ashby, July 23, 1818; md. July 27, 1841, 
E^mily M. Russell, dau. of Thomas and Hepsey (Adams) 
Russell, q. V. By occupation he is a harness-maker. He 
has resided in this town since 1845. He has been 



61 

62 
63 

64 



65 



66 



67 
68 

69 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 679 

prominently connected with the Ashburnham Light In- 
fantry many years, and was an officer from 1855 until the 
com pan}' was mustered into the service. While in the 
service he was a lieutenant. Vide Chapters XVIII and 
XIX. 

I. Warren A., b. Aug. 23, 1848 ; md. Oct. 8, 1877, 

Isabelle Roscoe. He is a railroad conductor ; 

resides in Aurora, TU. 

II. Jbsepli George^ b, June 3, 1852 ; d. April 30, 1853. 

III. Lona M., b, Oct. 8, 1854 ; resides in Ashburnham. 



George Davis, son of Reuben Davis, of Ashby ; md. 
Dec. 27, 1836, Nancy H. White, dan. of Josiah Vhite, 
q. V. He was a blacksmitli in this town, where he d. Sept. 
9, 1875 ; she d. March 17, 1856. 

I. Elizabeth Matilda^ b. Nov. 28, 1837 ; md. Nov. 
16. 1856, James Wheeler, of Fitchburg ; he d., 
and she md. (2d) Jan. 1, 1881, Robert Shack- 
ley ; resides in Charlestown. 

II. George Edioin, b, Sept. 6, 1839. He was a lieu- 
tenant in 21st Regiment. Vide Chap. XIX. He 
md. Feb. 18, 18G4, Helen M. Puffer, dau. of 
Reuben Puffer. He resides in Fort Madison, 
Iowa. 

III. John IF., b. Sept. 26, 1846; d. Sept. 12, 1848. 

IV. Charles TF., b. Sept. 9, 1852 ; d. Nov. 14, 1373. 

Joel Davis, son of Josiah Davis, of New Ipswich, md. 
May 28, 1807, Rebecca Adams, dau. of John Adams, q. v. 
She died, and he md. (2d) Orpah Stearns, dau. of Isaac 
Stearns, q. v. She died March 9, 1866. Mr. Davis lived 
on the north turnpike several years, and kept the " Chil- 
dren of the Woods " tavern. About 1828 he removed to 
Lowell. No record of children has been secured. An 
infant d. in this town, March 11, 1824, and a daughter, 
Rebecca, was living when the family removed from town. 



Michael Dempsey, b. in Ireland, 1816, md. Ellen 
Connell, and in early life emigrated to America. He 
came to Ashburnham 1845, and for many years he was a 
switchman in the employ of the Cheshire R. R. His wife 
d. about 1856, and he md. (2d) 1857, Mary Kennedy. 
He d. March 13, 1882. 

I. John, b. 1840; md. Alice Donohoe ; a railroad 

conductor; resides at Philadelphia, Penn. 
II. Michael, b. 1842 ; resides in Philadelphia, Penn. 



680 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



9 

10 

11 
12 

13 

14 



III. Mary, b. 1844 ; md. John Shaj' of Filchburg. 

IV. Bridget, b. 1846 ; md. Cornelius Bresnahan ; they 

reside in Ashburnham. 
V. William, b. 1853 ; md. 1879, Nellie Coughlin ; he 

is a switchman in employ of Cheshire R. R. 
VI. Timothy, b. 1855 ; md. Mary Roach ; resides in 

Virginia Cit}'. 
VII. Jeremiah, b. 1860 ; a switchman in employ of 
Cheshire R. R. 



MiLO Derby, son of Nathan and Susan (Thompson) 
Derby, was b. 1802. Nathan Derby, the father, resided 
in Lancaster, Rindge, and Andover, Vt. Milo Derby md. 
Nov. 27, 1833, Clara Cook, dau. of John Cook, g. v., and 
resided in this town, where he d. June 8, 1851. His 
widow md. (2d) David Nutting, who d. Feb. 24, 1863. 

I. Edward M., b. May 16, 1836 ; d. Nov. 27, 1844. 
II. Wilbur M., b. May 6, 1841 ; md. May 10, 1865, 
jNIartha A. Page, dau. of Warren and INIary 
(Brown) Page, of Winchester, N. H. They 
resided in Rindge several years, and, subse- 
quently in this town ; removed 1883 to Florida. 
III. Lizzie C, b. :\Iarch 29, 1848 ; md. May 10, 1865, 
WillardPage, son of Warren and Mary (Brown) 
Page; she died Sept. 27, 1867. 



JosiAH Derby, a brother of Milo Derby, b. July 4, 
1805, resided many years in this town, where he d. April 
4, 1876. He md Feb. 2, 1832, Betsey Whitney, dau. of 
Capt. Lemuel Whitney, q. v. ; she d. Aug. 8, 1868. 



I. Sarah E., b. May 23, 1833 ; d. June 13, 1844. 
II. Mary A., b. Sept. 28, 1834; md. Dec. 19, 1860, 

William Flint ; he d. in the army ; she md. (2d) 

Jon a. Edward Goodwin, q. v. 

III. Jane E., b. July 9, 1836 ; md. P'eb. 25, 1869, John 

H. Whitney. 

IV. Emily A., h. Jan. 14, 1838; md. July 29, 1860, 
George Fuller of Shirley ; she d. July 7, 1867. 

Lvrania, b. April 30, 1839 ; md. June 2, 1859, 

Boaidman F. Warren of Townsend. 
Jmah, b. Nov. 20, 1840; d. June 17, 1844. 
VII. FranMin G., b. June 10, 1842 ; d. July 20, 1842. 
VIII. Selina, b. May 26, 1843 ; md. Nov. 21, 1866, Jo- 
seph N. Dav of Lancaster. 
IX. Joseph H., b. Oct. 21, 1844 ; d. May 26, 1866. 



V. 



VI. 



15 

16 
17 



2 
3 
4 
5 
6 

(4) 



(5) 



13 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTEK. ggl 

X. Harriet E., b. July 31, 1846; md. March 23, 
1875, Lafayette W. Peirce, Esq., of Winchen- 
don. 

xr. Sarah A., b. Sept. 6, 1848; md. Oct. 10, 1874, 
Louis Morse of St. Albans, Vt. 

XII. Francena E., b. Oct. 3, 1850. 

George Dickinson removed from Rowley to Harvard 
about 1740, where five children were born. About 1760 
he came to this town. The new settlements invited the 
young and the strong, and Mr. Dickinson found here very 
few his superior in years. The name of his wife was 
Sarah, but I have not found any record of his marriage. 
He d. Nov. 15, 1776, aged 70; she d. Sept. 10, 1780. 
This name appears in the records Dickinson and Dicker- 
son, with even-handed impartiality. The following chil- 
dren were b. in Harvard : 

I. Jeremiah, h. Dec. 16, 1736. 
II. Daniel, b. June 14, 1739. 

III. David, b. Oct. 7, 1741.-{- 

IV. Ainos, b. March 14, 1743.4- 
V. Francis, b. Sept. 20, 1746. 



David Dickinson, md. July 16, 1767, Persis Wheeler, 
dau. of Seth Wheeler of New Ipswich, and resided in 
this town until 1779, when he removed to Shelburne, 

I. David, bap. 1769. 
II. Sallu, bap. 1771. 



Amo.s Dickinson md. March 12, 1770, Elizabeth Stone. 
Mr. Gushing records his death Jan. 4, 1788, with the / 
remark, " he died of bilious colic, aged 40 to 50 years.''. ' 
There is a record of birth of only one child. Others'^ 
were bap. 

I. Amos, bap. in private July 27, 1772. He d. the 
same day. 

10 II. Bettif, b. Sept. 14, 1773; md. May 10, 1794, 

Isaac Jackson. 

11 III. Sarah, bap. Oct. 13, 1776. 

12 IV. Dolly, bap. Oct. 3, 1779 ; md. James Adams, q. v. 



John Dickinson, probably connected with the foregoing 
families, resided in this town several years, at least, 
succeeding the Revolution. He md. March 22, 1790, 
Rose Gibson of Ashby. 



682 



HISTORY OF ASHIU'KXIIAM. 



2 


I. 


Eunice. 




3 


II. 


Marif. 




4 


III. 


Josiaft. 




5 


IV. 


Anna. 




6 


V. 


Betty. 




7 


VI. 


Reuben. 




8 


VII. 


Daniel. 




9 


VIII. 


Ebenezer, 


b. June 30, 1779 



JosiAii DoixiE md., probably iu Concord, Hannah 
Conant, dau. of Ebenezer Conant, q. v. lie came to 
Asbburnhani soon after the date of incorporation and 
removed to Machais, Me., about 1787. The children are 
named iu the records, but the date of birth of only one 
was entered. 



William Doolax was b. in the County of Cork in 
Ireland 1824. In 1846 he nid. Mary Ann Butler. They 
came to America about two years after their marriage and 
came to this town in 1849. He was drafted in IMay, 1864, 
and served in the 19th Regiment until the following July. 
He d. Sept. 30, 1868 ; his widow d. March. 1876. " 

I. Richard, b. Jan. 15, 1847; md. Dec. 21, 1870, 

Margaret Hayes ; resides in this town. 
II. David, b. April 21, 1850; uumd ; resides in this 
town. 

Hannah, b. Nov. 30, 1852. 

3fargaret, b. March 1, 1854. 

Wilfiam. b. March 27, 1856. 

John, b. Aug. 30, 1860. 

Mary, b. De^c. 25, 1862. 

Ellen, b. ^Nlay 15, 1863. 

Josie, b. July 15, 1865. 



4 


III. 





IV. 


6 


V. 


7 


VI. 


8 


VII. 


9 


VIII. 





IX. 



11 



Thomas Doolax, a native of Ireland, was b. in 1836. 
He is a farmer in this town upon tlie Dickerson Brooks 
farm. He came to Ashburnham about 1860. He md. 
Feb. 9, 1861, Honora Hartnett, b. in Ireland, 1836. 

Anna, h. Nov. 14, 1861. 
Thomas, b. June 17, 1865. 
Margaret, b. Nov. 'K^, 1869. 
Mary Elizabeth, b. Dec. 30, 1871. 
David E. 
Daniel, 



12 


I 


13 


II 


14 


III 


15 


IV 


16 


V 


17 


VI 



GENEALOGICAL I{EGISTEJ{. 



683 



DUNSTEK. 

The only permanent rcHidcnt of this town who bore; the name of Dunster 
wan Samuel DiinHter. lie was a lineal descendant of Henry Dunster the 
firwt president of Harvard University. The gem-rations are Henry, Jonathan, 
Henry, Jason and Samuel. Jason Dunster, a t^reat-f^randson of Henry 
Dunster and a son of Henry and Martha (Kussellj Dunster, b. 172.5, nid. 
Oct. 20, 174'.*, Heljecca Gutter, dau. of Samuel and Anne fllarringtonj 
Cutter. He removed from f'ambridtje to .Mason, N. II., ]'<)'), when Samuel 
was three years of a>{e. In 1801 Jason Dunster and his wife Rebecca re- 
moved to Aslihurrdiarn and united with the church in this town, but the fol- 
lowing year they returned to Mason, where he d. Feb. 19, 1805, aged 80 
years. 



Samuel Ddnstkr, son of Jason and Rebecca (Cutter) 
Dunster, was b. in Carnbridge April 20, 17GG. He was 
bap. Sarniicl Cutter, but omitting the middle name he was 
known as Samuel JJunster. lie removed to this town in 
1802 and three years later he bought a tract of land at 
Factory Village. He was an enterprising man and his 
intimate connection with the early manufactures of this 
town is mentioned in the preceding chapters. He md. 
Jan. 12, 1792, Hannah Townsend, b. in Northboro Aug. 
8, 1770, eldest dau. of Samuel and Hannah (Lawrence) 
Townsend. She d. Aug. 8, 1820; he md. (2d) March 1, 
1827, Madamoisella Townsend, a sister of his first wife; 
she was b. in Mason, N. H., March llJ, 1794. He d, 
April 19, 18.30. His widow md. (2d) Aug. 20, 184.3, 
Samuel Knight, q. v. There were no children. The wife 
of Joel Barrett was a sister of the wives of Samuel 
Dunster. 



S.4LMON DuTTON, son of Joscph and Rebecca (Adams) 
Duttou and grandson of Thomas and Hannah (Burge) 
Dutton of Westford, was b. 1744 ; resided in this tow^n a 
few 3'ear.s, immediately following the dale of incorpora- 
tion. He removed to Cavendish, Vt., where he d. 1824. 

Thomas Dutton, a brother of Salmon, was b. in West- 
ford, Jan. 8, 1747-8. He md. 17G8, Sarah Bigelow, a 
sister of Silas IVigelow, q. v. They came to this town in 
1770, and a few years later removed to Jaffrey, N. H., 
where several of their ten children were b. She d. Dec. 
23, 1811. He d. Dec. 31, 1838. 

Samukl Dutton resided in this town only a few years. 
He d. here Oct. 22, 1815. His age was recorded "30 to 
40 years." No record of his marriage has been found. 



68i 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



Infant, d. July 19, 1815. 



Timothy Dwight, settled in this town in 1766 and d. 
April 2, 1769, being the first adult who d. in this town 
after the ordination of Mr. Gushing. He was the son of 
Samuel and Jane (Bulkle3') Dwight of Dedham and Sut- 
ton, b. May 27, 1745. He md. Sarah Alden and in 1770 
the father and the widow petition the General Court for 
power to sell the lands in Ashburnham, and also assert 
that he left two daughters. The widow md. Thomas 
Newhall of Leicester, where she d. 1797. 

I. Sarah, b. 1766; md. Edmund Muzzey ; d. May 

23, 1819. 
II. MeJdtable, b. May 6, 1768 ; md. David Trask ; d. 
1800. 



EATON. 

John Eaton with his wife Abigail and two children embarked at London 
for New England in 1G35. He was admitted freeman at Watertown 1636, 
and the following year he settled in Dedham, where he d. Nov. 17, 1658. 
His son John, b. about 163G, lived in Dedham ; by wife Alice he had seven 
sons and one daughter. William Eaton, son of John and Alice Eaton, b. 
1677, also was a resident of Dedham. He md. 1704, Mary Starr, and d. 
1718. His son, Josiah Eaton, b. 1711, md. 1736, Sarah Day and removed to 
Needham, where he d. 1802. Among the ten children of Josiah and Sarah 
(Day) Eaton was John Eaton who served in the Revolution and removed to 
Winchendon, and while residing there he md May 17, 1779, Mary Larkin of 
Lancaster. He resided in the southeast part of Winchendon and was 
included in Gardner when that town was incorporated 1785. He d. in 
Gardner Nov. 24:, 1827; his wife d. Sept. 22, 1817. He had six children, 
and among them was Josiah Eaton of Ashburnham, of the sixth generation 
in America. He is number 1 in the following register. 

Another branch of the Eaton family is descended from Nathaniel Eaton, a 
resident and a leather dresser of Boston, who md. Aug. 26, 1743, Mercy 
Trott; md. (2d) Sarah Day, dau. of .Jitmes Day. He d. 1750. Nathaniel 
Eaton, .Jr., b. July 24, 1744, was the only child that was living at the death 
of the father. He was a baker by trade and resided in Roxbury and later in 
Lancaster. He was a captain of the minute-men in Lancaster, where he d., 
aged 97 years. He md. Martha Gridley of Roxbury, dau. of Dea. William 
Gridley. He md. (2d) Dec. 30, 1778, widow Lucy Bennett. John Eaton, 
who is number 16 in the register, was tlie ninth of fourteen children ; five by 
the first and nine by the second marriage. It is suggested by Prof. Daniel C. 
Eaton of Yale College, an acknowledged authority in the genealogy of the 
Eaton family, and to whom I am indebted for many facts in this register, 
that probably the earlier generations in this line of descent were (1) 
Nathaniel; (2) Benoni, b. 1639, d. 1690, of Cambridge; (3) Theophilus, b. 
1674; (4) Nathaniel, who was in Boston 1720, and (5) Nathaniel, first 
named, who md. Mercy Trott. 

The lineage of Nathan Eaton, number 25, is not allied to that of the other 
families of Eaton in this town. The emigrant ancestor of this family was 
William Eaton of Staple in the county of Kent, England. With his wife 
Martha, three children and one servant he sailed from Sandwich in 1637 and 
settled first at Watertown, and subsequently removed to Reading, where he 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



685 



d. May 16, IGTS. His wife d. Nov. 14, 1680. John Eaton, eldest son and 
third of the five children of William, resided in Reading; rod. March 8, 1668 
or 1669, Elizabeth Kendall, dau. of Dea. Thomas Kendall of Reading; he d. 
Dec. 17, 1695. William Eaton, the sixth of their eleven children, Avas b. in 
Reading Dec. 1, 1670. He resided in Reading and in Lynnfield, where he d. 
1734; he md. April 29, 1695, Mary Swain, dau. of Major Jeremiah Swain 
who survived him. Jeremiah Eaton, second of the nine children of William 
Eaton, was b. July 10, 1698; md. in Lynn April 10, 1722, Margaret Hawks; 
md. (2d) Nov. 3, 1730, Hannah Ot^good, dau. of Samuel Osgood of Andover. 
He was a carpenter, went to Haverhill 1733, and to Hampstead about 1748, 
where he d. 1754. Jeremiah Eaton, son of Jeremiah and Hannah (Osgood) 
Eaton, b. April 25, 1738, md. April 14, 1761, Lydia Flint; md. (2d) Nov. 
16, 1780, widow Hannah Wardwell of Andover. He was a deacon of the 
church in North Reading and resided near the line between Reading and 
Lynn. He d. July 17, 1791. There were seven children of the first and 
four of the second marriage. Osgood Eaton, son of Dea. Jeremiah and 
Lydia (Flint) Eaton, was b. Jan. 7, 1770. About 1805 he removed to 
Farmington, Me. He was a carpenter. He md. Jan. 22, 1797, Joanna 
Leighton, b. in Westford Dec. 30, 1776, dau. of Francis and Lydia (Fitch) 
Leighton; d. in Reading Sept. 1, 1803. He md. (2d) Nov. 9, 1804, Polly 
Jaquith. He d. Sept. 21, 1830. Nine children. Osgood Eaton, son of 
Osgood and Joanna (Leighton) Eaton, was b. in Reading Feb. 2, 1799. In 
his childhood the family removed to Maine. He md. Feb. 2, 1825, Haimali 
Wentworth of Strong and settled in Wilton in that State. He was a farmer 
and was frequently employed in public affairs. He d. Jan. 7, 1877; she d. 
June 26, 1871. Among their ten children was Nathan Eaton of Ashburnham. 



JosiAH Eaton, son of John and Mary (Larkin) Eaton, 
was b. in Gardner Jan. 13, 1787. He md. Mary Reed, 
dau. of Jonas Reed, q. v., and removed to this town about 
1816. Three children were b. in Gardner and seven in 
this town. He d. Dec. 7, 1862 ; his wife survived him 
andd. Aug. 12, 1872. 

I. 3Ierricl; b. Sept. 30, 181 1.+ 

II. Mary Ann, b. Dec. 14, 1812 ; md. 1832, Samuel 
Kelton, son of Lemuel and Pattj' (Angler) 
Keiton of Gardner. 

III. Josiah, b. May 5, 1814 ; md. 1839, Abbie Wheeler, 
dau. of Samuel C. and Abigail (Wilson) Wheeler 
of New Ipswich. He d. at Saratoga, N. Y., 
March 29, 18(:5. 

IV. Hosea, b. March 10, 1820 ; md. Nov. 28, 1845, 
Mary Wheeler, dau. of Samuel C. and Abigail 
(Wilson) Wheeler of New Ipswich. He resided 
in New Ipswich. Hon. Hosea Eaton was a man 
of quick perceptions and of marked ability. He 
was Provost Marshal during the war of the 
Rebellion, and has served with distinction in 
both branches of the New Hampshire Legislature, 
and for many years, and until his death, held an 
appointment in Boston Customs. He d. in 



686 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



9 
10 

11 



(2) 



12 

13 
14 



15 



16 



Eindge. where he was temporarily residing on 
account of feeble health. Nov. 26. 1879. 

V. Danforth Leander, b. July 4, 1822; md. Dec. 5, 
1848. Mar}' Helen Look, dau. of John and 
Charlotte (Hopkins) Look of Farmers Creek, 
Mich. : she d. 1858 ; he md. (2d) Oct. 2, 1860, 
Octavia Richards, dau. of Arba and Emily 
(Kelsey) Richards of Lowell, Mich. He is a 
clergyman residing in Lowell, Mich. Vide 
Chap'. XX. 

n. Otis Jr., b. May 29, 1823 ; d. at Saratoga, N. Y., 
Nov. 4, 187L He md. Dec. 25, 1842, Harriet 
"Wheeler, dau. of Samuel C. and Abigail (Wil- 
son) Wheeler. 
VII. George, b. May 16, 1826; d.. by accident. May 

30. 1850. 
Tm. Lury E., b. Sept. 23. 1827: d. May 22. 1859. 

IX. Nancy 7F., b. June 20, 1^33 ; md. March 27, 1855, 
Orson W. Look; d. in Michigan Oct. 4, 1860. 

X. Charles C, b. April 25. 1835 ; resides in Saratoga, 
X. Y. ; md. Elizabeth Hosley. 

Merrick Eatok, sou of Josiah Eaton, md. 1836, Eliza- 
beth A. Gates of Gardner, and he md. (2d) June. 14, 
1860, Rebecca C. Lane, dau. of Francis Lane, q. v. He 
resided in this town, where he d. Yob. 16, 1875. 

I. Harriet, b. May 11, 1839 ; md. Xoah Hardy of 
Hollis, X. H"'. 

Albert, d. in infancy. 

Mary, b. Sept. 10, 1845 ; md. April 15, 1864, 
William H. Cruse, b. March 2, 1843. son of 
John G. T. Cruse of Westminster. They reside 
in the South Village. Three children. 

Ellen, d. in infancy. 



II. 
III. 



IV. 



17 



18 



JoHX Eatox, son of Nathaniel, was b. in Lancaster, 
Oct. 21, 1784; md. June 12, 1808, Eunice Jones, dau. 
of Enos Jones, q. v. He was a cabinet-maker. He re- 
sided in this town from 1805 to 1809 or 1810, when he 
removed to Royalston. and about 1830 he removed to 
Fitzwilliam, X. H.. where he d. Sept. 22. 1835. She d. 
1852. 

I. Albin Jones, b. June 19, 1809 ; md. March 27, 
1838, Delight Stone, dau. of David Stone of 
Fitzwilliam. He was a physician at Oakham. 
II. Harriet M., b. Oct. 6, 1811 { md. Aug. 31, 1841, 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



687 



19 
20 

21 

22 

23 
24 

25 



26 



Otis Wbiitemore, son of William S., and Molly 
(Locke) Whitteniore of Fitzwilliam. They 
removed to Richland, Iowa. 

III. John H.^ b. June 6, 1814 ; removed to Richland, 

Iowa. 

IV. Xatlwrdel L., b. May 23, 181G ; resides unmd. in 

Ashburnham, where he has been engaged in 
business and frequent'iv employed in town afiaii"s. 
V. Eunice Ann, b. June 21, 1819; md. Nov. 20, 
1839, Chauncy Davis, son of Chauncy Davis of 
Fitzwilliam. 
VI. Charles i., b. March 21. 1822 . resides unmd. in 

the West, 
vn. Lucy A., b. Aug. 12. 1824 ; d. Feb. 13, 1829. 
vra. Francis TF., b. Feb. 26, 1827; d. Dec. 12, 1837. 



Nathan Eatox, of the eighth generation in the lineage 
of William Eaton, is a son of Osgood and Hannah (Went- 
worth) Eaton. He was b. in Wilton. Me.. April 5. 1836. 
He is a conti-actor and builder and has resided in this 
town since 1862. He has been an efficient member of 
the school committee many years and has never failed in 
the support of any laudable enterprise. He md. June 27, 
1865, Mary I. Mavnard. dau. of Antipas Mavnard, g. v. 
She d. May 20. 'l866 : he md. (2d) Nov' 29, 1868, 
Emma C. Maynard, dau. of Antipas Mavnard, q. v. 



Wendell Eaton, not immediately related to the fore- 
going families, a son of John and Eunice (Kemp) Eaton 
of Westminster, b. Sept. 5, 1834, md Apiil 7. 1870. 
Serepta A. Johnson, b. March 20, 1842, dau. of Daniel 
and Phileta (Fitts) Johnson of Templeton. He is a 
farmer and mechanic residing on the Litch place in the 
south part of the town. 



EDDY. • 

The Eddy families of New England are descendants of John and Samuel 
Eddy, sons" of "William Eddy, Vicar of the Church of St. Dustan in Cran- 
brook, County of Kent, England. The brothers arrived at Plymouth Oct. 
29, lt530. John Eddy, who" was b. in March. 1597, settled in Watertown in 
1631. He was admitted freeman Sept. 3, 1634, and was a Selectman of 
Watertown. 1635, "36. '37. Bv wife Amv he had nine children. He md. 

(2d) .Joana who d. Aug. 2"5, 1683: he d. Oct. 12, 1684. Samuel Eddy, 

son uf John and Amy Eddy, was b. in Watertown Sept. 30, 1640, and was 
admitted freeman March 22, 1689-90. He resided in Watertown and was 
many times elected to office. He md. 1664, Sarah Meade. He d. Nov. 22, 
1711. A fac-simile of his signature is preserved. Samuel Eddy, eldest child 
of Samuel and Sarah (Meade) Eddy, b. June 4, 1668, md. Dec. 13, 1693, 
Elizabeth Woodward, dau. of George and Elizabeth (Hammond) Woodward. 



688 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



He was livins: in 1722. The sixth of his seven children was Ebenezer Eddy, 
b. probably 1705; md. Ruth Ward, b. May 19, 1710, dau. of Eleazer and 
Deliverance (Trowbridge) Ward of Newton. He removed to Oxford, now 
Auburn, where he d. 1767. Abel Eddy, the second of his five children, b. 
April 15, 1741, removed to Belchertown, where Abijah Eddy, the second of 
nine children was b. June 1, 177G; he [Abijah] md. June 2, 1801, Beulah 
Cheney, b. in Orange, Jan. 26, 1784, dau. of Eben Cheney. He removed to 
Warwick, where he d. March 23, 1836; his widow d. April 3, 1833. Abijah 
Eddy, son of Abijah and Beulah (Cheney) Eddy, b. Aug. 6, 1807, md. Jan. 
1833, Lucretia Ball Stearns, b. Eeb. 19, 1814. He d. in Somerville, Nov. 
25, 1880. 



George Wells Eddy, son of Abijah and Lucretia B. 
(Stearns) Edd,y, was b. in Warwick July 24, 1837, and 
has resided in Ashburnham since 1859, where he has been 
an accountant for George C. Winchester and for the 
Boston Chair Manufacturing Company. He has been 
president of the Ashburnham National Bank since 1879, 
and in 1880 he represented the district in the Legislature. 
He was an early and earnest advocate of a public library 
and to his continued support the enterprise is indebted. 
In 1883 he was chosen a deacon of the Congregational 
church. He md. Nov. 27, 1883, Etta Elizabeth Stratton, 
b. Oct. 9, 1844, dau. of Stillman and Maria (Keyes) 
Stratton of Winchendou. 



Eliphalet Eddy, who resided in this town sixteen 
years, was b. in Auburn Oct. 12, 1810. He was a son of 
Jesse Eddy, a grandson of Levi Eddy of Oxford and a 
great-grandson of Samuel Edd}' who was a brother of 
Ebenezer Edd\^ named in the preceding record. He 
owned the mill now of Robert W. Mclntire several years 
and removed from town about 1848. He was not md. 



Elijah Edson removed from Bridgewater to this town 
in 1769. He was a son of Dr. Elijah and Anne (Packard) 
Edson and grandson of Capt. Josiah Edson. He md. in 
Bridgewater Martha Washburn and three children were 
b. previous to their removal to this town. He was a 
drummer in Capt. Gates' company in 1775 and is named 
in the records a short time after that date. The family 
disappears about 1778. 

I. Sarah. 
II. Olive. 

III. Ziba. 

IV. Infant, b. 1775 ; d. May 13, 1776. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



689 



Daniel Edsox, a younger brother of Elijah, was a 
resident of Ashburnham in 1775 and a short time 
subsequently. He was in Capt. Gates' and Capt. 
Wilder's companies and participated in the siege of 
Boston until Jan. 1, 177G. I find no record of his 
marriage nor does the name of his wife appear in the 
records. 

I. Infant, b. and d. Jan. 14, 1775. 



ELLIS. 

The older branch of the Ellis family of Ashburnham is descended from 
the Dedham family. The parentage of Joseph Ellis who was b. 1666 I 
•cannot state with accuracy as two of the same name were b. in Dedham the 
same year. One was a son of Joseph and Ruth Ellis, the other a son of 
Richard and Elizabeth Ellis. One of these md. 1703, Sarah Hemenway. 
He d. 1721, aged 55 years. Aaron Ellis, a son of Joseph and Sarah 
(Hemenway) Ellis, nid. Jan. -t, 1726-7, Zipporah Lewis. Their children 
•were Nathan, Aaron, Abel, Paul, Jesse, Oliver, Zipporah and Sarah. He 
d. 1746 and his widow md. 1747, Timothy Colburn of Dedham. Aaron 
Ellis, son of Aaron and Zipporah (Lewis) Ellis, served in 1754 in the French 
and Indian War and subsequently resided in Winchendon, Jesse Ellis, 
brother of Aaron Ellis, and perhaps other members of this family, removed 
to Winchendon. Sarah (Hemenway) Ellis, the grandmother of Aaron and 
Jesse Ellis, d. in Winchendon at an advanced age and was the second person 
buried in the old cemetery in the southwest part of the town. 



Jesse Ellis, son of Aaron and Zipporah (Lewis) Ellis, 
was b. in Dedham Oct. 25, 1740. lie md. Mary Harding, 
dau. of Moses Harding of Medfield. They resided in 
Medfield, where she d. Sept. 28, 1776. Soon after this 
date he sold his real estate and removed to "Winchendon. 
He md. (2d) Miriam Hill and continued to live in 
Winchendon until 1799, when he removed to Ashburnham 
and was the first of the name in this town. In 1793 
while of Winchendon he was one of a committee to build 
school-houses in that town and his name is occasionally 
mentioned in the Ashburnham records. He d. Dec. 31, 
1822 ; his widow d. Eeb. 11, 1831. Two children by first 
wife were b. in Medfield and three by second wife were b. 
in Winchendon. 

I. Ohed, b. April 27, 1768; md. July 17, 1794. 

Margaret C. Adams, dau. of Nathan Adams of 
Medfield ; he resided in Medfield, where he d. 
June 4, 1819; she d. May 31, 1844. No 
children. 

II. Mary, b. 1773; md. July 17, 1794, William 

Peters of Medfield. He d. Feb. •>&, 1843 ; she 
d. March 18, 1835. Two children. 
44 



690 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



4 

5 
6 

7 

8 

(8) 



9 
10 



1. Mary, md. Nov. 27, 1814, Dr. James 

Hewins. 

2. Amy, md. Oct. 1, 1823, Eev. C. C. Sewell. 

III. Miriam^ b. April 7, 1780 ; md. April 7, 1803, 

Stephen Maynard, q. v. 

IV. Zipporah, h. Nov. 29, 1782; md. Dec. 2, 1802, 

Joseph Miller, q. v. 

V. Jesse, b. June 19, 1789.-f- 



11 
12 



13 

14 

15 

16 
17 



Jesse Ellis, son of Jesse, was a farmer in this town. 
He resided on the farm now owned bv 8amnel J. Bradlee 
of Ashby. He md. Nov. 8, 1807, Abigail Whitney, dau. 
of Silas Whitney, q. v., who d. Jan. 24, 1869 ; he d. July 
17, 1870. Nine children. 

I. Mary TF., b. March 13, 1809; md. Oliver G. 
Caldwell, son of John Caldwell, q. v. 

II. Samuel, b. April 1, 1811 ; md. April 23, 1837, 
Sarah W. Gushing, dau. of Laban Cushing, q. v. 
He resided in this town, in Burlington, Vt., in 
Union City, N. Y., and later in Fitchburg, 
where he d. Aug. 17, 1880. He was esteemed 
for judgment and intelligence in business, and 
for many years was in the staging and livery 
business. Subsequently he was engaged in the 
shipment of flour, grain and lumber from the 
West. His widow resides in Fitchburg. 

III. William Peters, b. Jan. 31, 1813.+ 

IV. Obed, b. March 13, 1815; md. Sept. 13, 1842, 

Mercy Stoddard, b. Dec. 23, 1817, dau. of 
Charles and Lovisa (Brigham) Stoddard. He 
resides, a farmer, in Dublin, N. H. 

1. Charles J., b. Oct. 26, 1845; md. Anstis 
Brooks ; resides in Dublin, N. H. 

V. Nancy, b. Sept. 3, 1817; md. Nov. 10, 1839, 
Bailey Marble, son of Samuel Marble ; she d. 
Dec. 15, 1873 ; he d. Nov. 3, 1878. 
VI. JSarah, b. Jan. 20, 1822; md. Sept. 17, 1849, 
Ohio Brown, son of Josiah Brown ; resided in 
Stow and in this town. 

VII. Lucy Caldwell, b. Dec. 11, 1824; md. Noyes B. 

Herrick, q. v. 

VIII. /Susan Brown, b. April 23, 1829 ; md. May 29, 

1867, Jonathan A. Perham, b. in Tvngsboro 
Dec. 4, 1820. son of Ralph and Sybil (Perham) 
Perham ; reside in Ashburuham. 



18 



(11) 



19 



20 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 691 

IX. Mary Jane, b. Aug. 13, 1833 ; md. William H. 
Brown of Stow. 



William P. Ellis, Esq., pursued a partial course of 
study at Oberlin College and was engaged in teaching 
several 3'ears, including four 3'ears near Newark, N. J., 
and two terms among the colored refugees in Canada. In 
1845 he returned to Ashburnham, where he has since 
resided. He has been engaged in manufactures and was 
a merchant several j^ears. He has ever been a loyal citi- 
zen and has frequently been called to positions of trust 
both in town and parish affairs, and was enumerator of the 
census 1880 and 1885. In every laudable enterprise his in- 
fluence has been constant and salutary. He was a deacon 
of the Congregational Church from 1849 until his resigna- 
tion in 1862. Dea. Ellis has been deeply interested in 
the preparation of the History of his native town and has 
furnished a generous measure of statistics and of famil}^ 
records. To his willing efforts the reader and the author 
are under enduring obligations. He md. April 21, 1841, 
Anner Green Randall, dau. of Samuel Randall, q. v. ; she 
d. March 10, 1885. He md. (2d) Oct. 18, 1885, Martha 
(Swain) Wellington, dau. of Nathaniel and Sally (Da- 
mon) Swain, and widow of Albert Wellington of Ashb3\ 



Daniels Ellis, a son of Bethuel Ellis and a grandson 
of John Ellis of Wrentham, was b. in Sherburn Oct. 17, 
1799. He md. Nov. 9, 1820, Laura Spear, in Billing- 
ham Feb. 4, 1797. They resided in Barre, Templeton 
and Winchendon until 1850 when they removed to the 
North Village in this town. He was a farmer and was 
also engaged many years in the manufacture of lumber. 
He d. Feb. 22, 1885 ; she d. Jan 1, 1881. Six children. 

I. Bethuel, b. Nov. 17, 1822 ; md. Jane H. Hapgood, 
dau. of John and Betsey (Temple) Hapgood of 
Winchendon; md. (2d) Etta (Carter) Whitney, 
dau. of Ebenezer and Clarissa (Colburn) Carter 
of Fitz William, N. H. He was a surveyor, con- 
veyancer and Trial Justice. 

Daniels, b. Jan. 18, 1824.-}- 

William Franklin, b. Dec. 28, 1825 ; d. Jan. 13, 
1827. 

Laura Maria, b. March 13, 1829 ; md. May 12, 
1846, George Lewis of Winchendon. 

Lyman, b. Dec. 28, 1830 ; md. Emeline Thomp- 
son ; resides in Everett. 

Georgianna, b. April 30, 1833 ; d. Aug. 28, 1859. 



21 


II. 


22 


III. 


23 


IV. 


24 


V. 


25 


VI. 



692 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



(21) 



26 



27 



Daniels Ellis has been activelj^ engaged in the manu- 
facture of lumber and wood ware and is now employed in 
farming and as a merchant at North Ashburnham. He 
md. June 23, 1850, Harriet L. Perry of Concord, Vt., b. 
Jan. 19, 1824. 

I. Charles D., b. Jan. 22, 1851 ; md. Oct. 11, 1876, 
Ada M. Fletcher, dau. of Joshua Fletcher, q. 
V. ; reside in Gardner. 
II. Jennie L., b. Aug. 23, 1858 ; md. Aug. 23, 1883, 
John W. Griswold, adopted son of ApoUos 
Griswold, q. v. 



Enos Emory was b. in Rindge Oct. 23, 1791. He was 
the youngest son of John and Elizabeth (Perkins) Emory 
who removed from Topsfield to Rindge 1771. Enos 
Emory md. April 22, 1817, Zipporah Hale, b. Dec. 12, 
1789, dau. of David and Bathsheba (Barker) Hale of 
Rindge. He was a manufacturer of spice boxes, and re. 
sided in Keeue, N. H., and in Groton until 1833, when 
he removed to Lane Village in this town, where he was 
engaged in the manufacture of lumber and wood ware. 
His wife d. of small-pox Sept. 14, 1848 ; he d. Feb. 20, 
1867. 

I. Mary ,/., b. Jan. 23, 1818 ; md. George E. Lane, 

son of Elias Lane, q. v. 
II. William H., b. March 27, 1821 ; md. June 11, 
1856, Mary A. Lane, dau. of John Lane, q. v. ; 
resides in this town. 
HI. Charles H., b. March 29, 1823; md. Oct. 11, 
1848, Eliza M. Lane, dau. of Elias Lane, q. v. 
Resides in Fitchburg. He is a machinist. 

1. Lizzie M., b. June 28, 1857. 

IV. Pascal P., b. July 21, 1825 ; md. Nov. 27, 1850, 
Marilla J. Lane, dau. of Elias Lane, q. v. They 
reside in Springfield. 

1. Etta E., b. Sept. 2, 1856; d. Nov. 3, 

1878. 

2. Flora J., b. April 17,1861; d. Aug. 9, 

1861. 

3. Carrie J., b. Feb. 23, 1863. 



FAIRBANKS. 

Jonathan Fairbank, with his wife Grace (Lee) and six children came 
from Somerby, Parish of West Riding, County of Yorlishire, England, 
about the year 1630, and settled in Dedham. He is supposed to be the an- 
cestor of all of his name in this country. Richard, a brother of Jonathan, 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 693 

came over at the same time, and was for a time postmaster in Boston, but is 
not known to have left any descendants. The Fairbank's mansion, near the 
centre of Dedham, built by Jonathan in IGofi, still remains in a good state of 
preservation, and has never gone out of the family, and is said to be the 
oldest house in America. The town of Dedham granted a tract of land to 
Jonathan, 15th of 7 mo., 1641. 

Jonathan d. at Dedham Dec. 5, 1668. His will, June 1, 1668, bequeaths 
the home place to his eldest son John. George, the second son, settled in 
the south part of Sherborn (now Medway) and is the ancestor of the families 
in St. Johnsbury, Vt. 

Jonas, the third son settled in Lancaster, and had a numerous posterity 
in Lancaster, Harvard, Sterling and West Boylston, and is the ancestor of 
the Ashburnham families. Jonathan, the youngest son, settled in Dedham. 

In the early records the name is sometimes Fairbank, and sometimes 
Fairbanks. The early name in England is said to have been Fairchild, and 
in Scotland Fairbairn. 

Jonas Fairbanks, son of Jonathan and Grace (Lee) Fairbanks, settled in 
Lancaster about 1658, and signed the Covenant March 7, 1659. He md. 
March 28, 1658, Lydia Prescott, dau. of John Prescott of Lancaster. This 
is the first marriage recorded in Lancaster. They had seven children. Jonas 
the father was killed by the Indians, Feb. 10, 1G76, and his widow md. Elias 
Barrow of Watertown. Lieut. Jabez Fairbanks is supposed to be the only 
son of Jonas and Lydia (Prescott) Fairbanks who left any sons. He was b. 
Nov. 8, 1670. His first wife Mary d. 1718; he md. (2d) March 25, 1719, 
Elizabeth Whitcomb who d. May 11, 1775, aged 80. He d. 1758, aged 
88. Dea. Joseph Fairbanks, son of Lieut. Jabez and Mary Fairbanks, was 
b. in Lancaster 1094. He md. April 21, 1718, Mary Brown of Lancaster. 
Four of their sons left children, and a granddaughter was the wife of Dan- 
iel Knight of Ashburnham. Dea. Joseph Fairbanks d. Dec. 6, 1772, aged 
78; his widow d. Nov. 14, 1791, aged 91 years 11 months. Capt. Joseph 
Fairbanks, son of Dea. Joseph and Mary (Brown) Fairbanks, was b. in 
Lancaster, now Harvard, Nov. 4, 1723. He md. Mary Willard of Lancaster. 
Their daughter, Anna, md. Ebenezer Burgess of Ashburnham. His wife d. 
Aug. 26, 1748, aged 25. He md. (2d) Abigail Hodgman of Groton. Among 
their nine children b. in Harvard, was Cyrus Fairbanks who removed to 
Ashburnham, and is No. 1 in the following register. Dea. Amos Fairbanks, 
another son of Dea. .Toseph and Mary (Brown) Fairbanks, was b. in Harvard 
1738. He was a farmer and a blacksmith in Harvard. His first wife Lucy 
d. Nov. 12, 1767, aged 28; he md. (2d) Rhoda Sawyer who d. Feb. 23, 1813, 
aged 72; he d. Jan. 14, 1809, aged 71. Dea. Noah Fairbanks, son of Dea. 
Amos and Rhoda (Sawyer) Fairbanks, was b. in Harvard May 21, 1771. He 
md. Hannah Whitcomb of Boxborough and in 1806 removed to Gardner. He 
was a farmer and a miller. He d. 1852, aged 81. Among the nine children 
of Dea. Amos and Hannah (Whitcomb) Fairbanks were Emory, Asaph and 
Joel who have resided in Ashburnham, and are named in the following reg- 
ister. Dea. Amos Fairbanks of Gardner was a cousin of Cyrus Fairbanks 
of Ashburnham. 



1 



Cyrus Fairbanks, sou of Capt. Joseph and Abigail 
(Hodgman) Fairbanks was b. in Harvard May 17, 1752. 
He served in tlie Revolution and was the last of the pen- 
sioners in this town. He md. Aug. 25, 1779, Mercy Hale 
of Stowe, b. Feb. 7, 1756, and removed to this town in 
1788. A part of the time at least between 1815 and 1820 
he resided in Troy, N. H., but subsequently he lived in 
this town, where he d. June 18. 1852, aged 100 years ; his 
wife d. 1840. 



694 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



3 


II. 


4 


III. 


5 


IV. 


6 


V. 



(3) 



10 
11 
12 
13 

14 

15 



16 

17 
18 
19 



Walter Russell 



Aug. 28, 1806, 
Walter Russell 



in Troy, N. 



Sally ^ b. Aug. 8, 1780 ; md. Joseph Gibbs, q. v. ; 

md. (2d) Nov. 19, 1835, Lewis Hill of Chester, 

Vt. She d. April 14, 1857. 
Jacob, b. March 17, 1782.+ 
Mercj/, b. Oct. 7, 1784; md. 

Adams, q. v. 
Cyrus, b. Nov. 17, 1786. -f- 
Abigail, b. Feb. 24, 1789 ; md. 

Leonard Patch ; md. (2d) 

Adams, q. v. 
Artemas, b. May 26, 1791 ; d. unmd 

H., Aug. 27, 1863. 
Betsey, b. April 10, 1796 ; md. Amos Rice,b. Feb. 

5, 1797, son of Samuel Rice of Ashby. They 

removed to the State of New York. 



Jacob Fairbanks, son of Cyrus Fairbanks, was b. in 
Harvard March 17, 1782. He md. May 25, 1808, Lydia 
Phillips, b. April 19, 1784, dau. of Seth and Elizabeth 
(Hamlin) Phillips of Fitchburg and a cousin of Hon. 
Hannibal Hamlin of Maine. He was a fai-mer and a 
citizen of good repute. He d. Jan. 21, 1850 ; she d. Jan. 
22, 1852. 

I. Laura Olivia, b. March 11, 1809; md. Emery 

Rice, q. v. 
II. Europe Hamlin, b. Sept. 14, 1810.-|- 
m. Seth Phillips, b. March 11, 1812. + 
IV. Sherman Dexter, b. Jan. 6, 1814. 

V. Lydia, Harriet, b. April 10, 1816 ; md. Jacob V. 

Ward, sou of Jacob Ward, q. v. 

VI. Mercy Elizabeth, b. April 18, 1818 ; md. Joseph B, 

Woods, son of Asa Woods, q. v. 
VII. Caroline Ardelia, b. Feb. 22, 1820 ; md. Nov. 2, 
1843, Artemas R. Smith, b. in Rindge June 16, 
1814, son of Henr}' and Asenath (Rand) Smith. 
He was successfully engaged in business in 
Fitchburg, where he d. 

1 . Margaret Lydia, b. April 4, 1850 ; md. 

Dec. 23, 1874, Edgar R. Ray of Franklin, 
Mass. 

2. Ralph Hamlin, b. Fob. 19, 1855 ; d. March 

23, 1863. 

3. Gertrude Elizabeth, b. Nov. 14, 1860. 

VIII. Sarah Dwelly, b. .July 11, 1822; d. unmd. June 
13, 1847. 



20 

21 
22 

.(5) 

23 
24 

25 



GENEALOGICAL REGKSTER. 695 

Jacob Horatio, b. Sept. 7, 1826 ; md. June 2, 
1858, Margaret Emma Ferson ; he is a farmer 
and has been engaged in the grain and iron 
trade in Fitchburg, where he resides. 

1. Emma Isabel, b. Jan. 14, 1863; d. July 
25, 1863. 

Albert Porter, b. March 17, 1829 ; d. unrad. Nov. 
14, 1851. 



26 

27 
28 

29 

30 

(10) 
31 



Cyrus Fairbanks md. July 3, 1817, Betsey Jackson of 
Westminster. About the date of his marriage he removed 
to Troy, N. H., where he d. Nov. 23, 1861 ; she d. April 
29, 1868. 

I. Eliza, b. March 22, 1818; md. Ranson Ingalls ; 
she d. Aug. 15, 1857. 

II. Silas H.. b. Dec. 7, 1819 ; md. Catherine (Woods) 
Aldrich, dau. of Asa Woods, q. v. ; removed to 
Jaffrey 1856, where he d. Oct. 24, 1858. Their 
son, Arthur Walter, b. Aug. 24, 1857, is a 
druggist in Providence, R. I. 

m. Mary Ann, b. Dec. 3, 1822 ; md. July 9, 1844, 
Edward P. Kimball, Esq., b. in Hillsboro', 
N. H., Feb. 23, 1819 ; he resides in Troy, N. H., 
where he has been a merchant since 1842. He 
was postmaster eight years, sheriff of Cheshire 
County 1874-5, and deputy-sheritf many years. 

IV. George, b. Oct. 22, 1825; md. Abbie Wright who 
d. Aug. 27, 1848; md. (2d) Nancy Watkins ; 
she d. July 27, 1858 ; md. (3d) Oct. 26, 1859, 
Marietta 8. French ; resides in Jaffrey, N. H. 
V. Charles, b. March 15, 1827 ; d. June 18, 1843. 

VI. Walter A., b. Jan. 5,1830; md. Aug. 4, 1864, 
Mary J. Nourse ; resides in Fitchburg. 

VII. Sarah^W., b. May 8, 1832: md. June 28, 1865, 
Daniel II. Sawver of Keene, N. H. 

VIII. Caroline A., b. June 6, 1836 ; md. Nov. 24, 1863, 
Dr. Daniel P'arrar ; he was an esteemed physician 
in Leominster; he d. June 3, 1875; his widow 
resides in Leominster. 



Europe H. Fairbanks md. Oct. 2, 1833, Sally E. 
Crehore, dau. of Col. Timothy Crehore, q. v. They 
resided in Ashburnham until 1.S69, when they removed to 
Worcester ; now reside in Fitchburg. 

I. Henry Augustus, b. May 12, 1838. 



696 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



32 
33 
34 

(11) 



35 



36 



37 
38 
39 



40 



41 



42 

43 
44 



II. Herbert Hamlin, b. Sept. 16, 1846. 

III. Herbert Lewis, b. Jan. 13, 1848. 

IV. Albert Phillips. 



Seth p. Fairbanks resided in the Central Village. He 
md. Oct. 27, 1836, Alraira Fairbanks, dau. of Ithamar 
Fairbanks, q. v. ; she d. Jan. 7, 1848. Hemd. (2d) Nov. 
30, 1848, Charlotte E. Brown, dau. of Joel and Lucy 
(Stearns) Brown of Lowell. He d. March 1, 1886. 

I. Charles Lewis, b. Dec. 12, 1839 ; md. Aug. 30, 
1866, 8. Augusta Deane, b. Feb. 3, 1839, dau. 
of Charles P. and Anna F. (Carter) Deane of 
Fitchburg. They reside in Fitchburg. For 
several years he was engaged in the Hardware 
and Iron trade, and now in the Coal trade. 
II. Ellen Almira, b. Oct. 16, 1841 ; md. April 8, 
1868, Rodney King, b. March 26, 1837, son of 
Rodney King of Dover, Vt. They reside in 
Central Village. 

HI. Albert Willis, b. Sept. 5, 1846 ; d. Aug. 10, 1847. 

IV. Harriet Elizabeth, b. Jan. 4, 1850 ; d. May 7, 1867. 

V. Frank Everett, b. Dec. 9, 1857 ; md. May 1, 1880, 

Z. Irene Warren, dau. of Thomas and Zilpah 

(Merritt) Warren of Whitingham, Vt. They 

reside in Fitchburg. 

VI. Adalaide Ellsworth, b. Aug. 1, 1861; graduated 
from dishing Academy 1880 ; now bookkeeper 
for Wilbur F. Whitney. 

Emory Fairbanks, son of Dea. Noah and Hannah 
(Whitcomb) Fairbanks of Gardner, was b. in Harvard 
May 15, 1800. He md. 1829, Elunice Haywood of 
Boxborough, aud in the spring of 1830 he purchased the 
farm of Oliver Marble and removed to this town. He 
was a man of excellent character aud was justly held in 
high esteem. He d. March 2, 1871 ; she d. Sept. 21, 
1865. 

I. Emory Hnjicard, b. Oct. 30, 1829 ; md. 1857, 

Julia Bacon of Sutton ; md. (2d) 1864, Laura 

Coolidge of Sherburn ; resides at Jamaica Plain. 

He is a jeweller. 

11. Andreio Stevens, b. Jan. 30, 1832 ; d. Aug. 12, 

1835. 
III. Francis Joel, b. Sept. 8, 1835; md. May 1, 1865, 
Abbie S. Russell, dau. of Philemou Russell, q. v. 
He is a Congregational clergyman. Vide page- 
506. Five children. 



45 
46 

47 

48 
49 
50 

51 



52 
53 
54 

55 



56 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 697 

IV. James Henry, b. May 15, 1837; md. 1861, 

Josephine E. Brewer of Framingham. He is a 

jeweller in Fitchburg. 
V. Eunice Elizabeth, h. Feb. 14, 1839 ; md. 1857, 

Hosea F. Lane of Templeton, son of Francis 

Lane, Jr., q. v. 
VI. JosejjJi Whitcomb, b. March 26, 1841 ; md. Jan. 1, 

1869, Ellen Cutting of Templeton. Vide page 

506. He is a tutor at St. Paul, Minn. 
VII. Stisan Augusta, b. April 14, 1843; md. Charles 

E. Woodward, q. v. 
VIII. Luey Ann, b. Dec. 8, 1846 ; md. Jan. 9, 1875, 

George N. Ells of Norwalk, Conn. 
IX. Laura Amelia, b. Oct. 30, 1848 ; d. April 29, 

1855. 



Asaph Fairbanks, a brother of Emory Fairbanks, was 
b. March 3, 1804. He md. Hannah Whitcomb of Box- 
borough, and removed to this town about 1830, where he 
continued to reside until 1837, when he removed to Shel- 
burne Falls, and subsequently to Iowa, where he d. Nov. 
12, 1855. Three children. 

I. Asaph Waldo. 
II. Joel Whitcomb. 
III. Martha Mcdvina. 



Joel Fairbanks, a brother of Emory and Asaph Fair- 
banks, was b. in Gardner, July 17, 1814. He md. Esther 
Leland. He resided in Ashburnham several years. He 
was a mechanic and for a few years he was engaged in 
the manufacture of chairs. He now resides in Templeton. 
No children. 



61 



Ithamar Fairbanks, b. March 2, 1767, md. Jerusha 
Williams, b. Feb, 22, 1769. He was not closely allied in 
kinship to the other families of Fairbanks in this town. 
They removed to Ashburnham with four children in 1795. 
He lived in the west part of the town. About 1813 he 
removed to Fitchburg where he d. Sept. 20, 1847. She 
d. Aug. 28, 1847. 

Sally Williams, b. Aug. 7, 1789. 

Jerusha Williams, b. Nov. 21, 1790. 

Sophia, b. April 4, 1793. 

Ebenezer Williams, b. Dec. 16, 1794 ; d. in Dalton, 

Nov. 9, 1869. 
Mary Curtis, b. Sept. 16, 1796. 



57 


I. 


58 


II. 


59 


III. 


60 


IV. 



698 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



62 
63 
64 

65 

66 

67 

68 



VI. Elijali Williams, b. Dec, 1797; d. Julv 13, 1799. 
VII. Eliza, b. Oct. 19, 1799; d. Aug. 1. ISiS. 
VIII. Elijah Williams^ b. March 16, 1801 ; d. in Day- 
ton, O., June 2, 1871. 
IX. Moses, b. June 28, 1803 ; d. in Fitchburg July 23, 

1874. 
X. Joseph Warren, b. Aug. 13, 1805 ; d. Feb. 10, 1827. 
XI. Charles Lewis, b. Jan. 15, 1808 ; d. in Utlca, N. 

Y., July 25, 1843. 
XII. Almira, b. Nov. 15, 1810 ; rad. Seth P. Fair- 
banks, q. V. 



John Farrar, b. April 15, 1784, son of Jacob Farrar 
of Concord, md. Dec. 20, 1810, Calle Stearns, dau. of 
William Stearns, q. v. ; she d. March 26, 1843, leaving 
eight children ; he md. (2d) March 13, 1844, Lucy 
Houghton, dau. of Robert and Sarah (Jones) Houghton 
of Leominster and Winchendon. He resided several 
3^ears in this town, in Stoddard, N. H., and in Winchen- 
don where he d. Jan. 25, 1859. 

I. Eliza Caroline, b. Oct. 21, 1811 ; rad. June 25, 
1825, Oliver Brooks, son of Stephen Brooks; 
reside in Denmark, Iowa. 
II. George L., b. Oct. 3, 1813; md. June 5, 1838, 
Sophronia M. George ; resided in Winchendon ; 
d. April 13, 1882. 

III. Charlotte, b. Nov. 27, 1816 ; md. Henry Tucker- 

man, q. V. 

IV. Roxanna, b. April 18, 1821 ; md. April 14, 1840 ; 

md. (2d) April 21, 1842, Abraham Bowden ; 
lived in Lowell ; she resides, his widow, in Den- 
mark, Iowa. 
V. Maria, b. Sept. 16, 1823; md. Aug. 28, 1845, 
Ezekiel Bartlett ; he d. Oct. 3, 1851 ; md. (2d) 
Nov. 15, 1853, Amasa Mills, who d. May 13, 
1854; md. (3d) July 23, 1857, Rev. Oliver 
Emerson, who d. Nov. 10, 1863 ; she resides at 
Grinnell, Iowa. 
VI. Susan, b. June 24, 1826; md. Sept. 30, 1846, 
Eliphalet S. Wood, q. v. 

VII. Lydia, b. Sept. 28, 1828; md. July 1, 1852, 
George L. Beals, q. v. 

VIII. Calla, b. Oct. 8, 1830 ; md. Edwin H. Ely ; resides 
in Cleveland, Ohio. 

Abel Farwell, son of Dea. Abel Farwell of Fitch- 
burg, resided in this town nearly twenty years. He md. 
Aug. 27, 1835, Myra Ward, dau. of Caleb Ward, q. v. ; 
removed to Fitchburg. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. . 699 

I. Abel Stephen, b. Jan. 8, 183(3 ; md. Elsie A. 
Howe, dau. of Addison Howe, q. v. ; resides in 
Fitchburg. 
ir. Elizabeth Davis, b. May 26, 1837. 

III. Ivers Warren, b. Jan. 26, 1839 ; is in Montana 

TerritoiT. 

IV. George Goodyear, b. Nov. 7, 1840 ; d. in the civil 

war. 
V. Levi Caleb, b. April 11, 1843. 
VI. Samuel Ward, b. May 31, 1845. 
VII. Austin. 
VIII. Lelia. 



4 
5 
•6 

7 

8 

9 

10 



Dea. Samuel Fellows removed from Harvard to this 
town in 1762. He was much employed in town affairs, 
and beginning with the act of incorporation he was mod- 
erator of nearly every meeting while he remained in this 
town, and frequently was elected to other office. He 
was a deacon of the church, and receives honorable men- 
tion in the civil and ecclesiastical records. The name of 
his wife was Eunice. He reraoA^ed to Shelburne 1772. 
Their nine children were b. in Harvard. 

I. Eunice, b. May 26, 1736 ; md. Daniel Merrill, q. v. 
II. Samuel, b. Feb. 13, 1739. Came to Ashburnham 
with his father ; with wife Mary he removed to 
Shelburne 1 771 . 

III. Joseph, b. May 27, 1748. 

IV. Thomas, b. Oct. 13, 1750. 

V. Sarah (twin), b. Oct. 13, 1750; md. Jeremiah 

Foster, Jr., q. v. 
VI. John, b. May 11, 175- ; record defaced. 
VII. William, b. Oct. 5, 1758. 
VIII. Willis (twin), b. Oct. 5, 1758. 
IX. Solomon, b. Dec. 5, 1760. 



John Finan, a native of StafTordshire, Eng., md. 
Rosena Hare, dau. of Patrick Hare, and came to Ash- 
burnham 1850. He served a year and a half in First 
Regiment of Cavalry. Six children were b. in this town. 

I. John, b. June 9, 1853; md. Mary J. Eggleston ; 
resides in Leominster. 

II. James, b. Feb. 11. 1856 ; resides in Ashburnham. 
HI. Thomas, b. Feb. 7, 1858 ; resides in Boston. 
rv. Mary Ann, b. March 31, I860. 

v. Elizabeth, b. May 31, 1862. 
VI. George, b. July 7, 1864 ; resides in Ashburnham. 



700 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

FISHER. 

There were two or three families of Fishers in this town near the close of 
the past century. The name occurs a number of times in the records of the 
choice of town officers. The births of their children are not recorded and 
little information can be gleaned of them. Tlie wife of John Kiblinger, Jr., 
was Betty Fisher. 



Levi Fisher rad. June 2, 1777, Rebecca AVheeler of 
Templeton. Rebecca at the time of marriage bad a son 
from which it is inferred she was a widow. They left 
town a few years later. 



Timothy Fisher resided here several years and removed 
immediately preceding 1787. There is no record of his 
marriage. Three children were bap. 

I. Timothy, bap. May 3, 1779. 
II. George, bap. May 20, 1781. 
III. Asa, bap. June 6, 1784. 



FLETCHER. 

The common ancestor of the Fletcher families of Ashburnham was Robert 
Fletcher an English emigrant who settled in Concord 1630. He was a 
wealthy and influential citizen. He d. at the age of 85 years April 3, 1677. 
William Fletcher, the second of the five children of Robert, was b. in 
England 1622, and was admitted freeman May 10, 1643. He md. Oct. 7, 
1645, Lydia Bates, and in 1653 he removed to Chelmsford, becoming one of 
the early settlers of that place. He acquired a large tract of real estate 
including a large part of the city of Lowell. He d. Nov. 6, 1677; his widow 
d. Oct. 12, 1704. He left eight children of whom the eldest son was Joshua 
Fletcher, b. March 30, 1648, admitted freeman March 11, 1689. He md. 
May 4, 1668, Grissies Jewell; she d. Jan. 16, 1682; he md. (2d) July 18, 
1682, Sarah Willey. He lived in Chelmsford, where he d. Nov. 21, 1713. 
Paul Fletcher, a son of Joshua and Grissies (Jewell) Fletcher, was b. about 
1681 ; resided in Chelmsford and served in the Indian War in 1724. 
Ebenezer Fletcher, youngest son of Paul, md. Aug. 8, 1754, .Joanna Stearns, 
b. July 29, 1724, dau. of Lieut. John and Esther (Johnson) Stearns of 
Billerica. He removed to Westford. Among his seven children is Josiah 
Fletcher who is number 1 in the following register- 

Another son of Joshua Fletcher by his second wife, Sarah Willey, was 
Capt. Joseph Fletcher who was b. in Chelmsford June 10, 1689. He md. 
Nov. 17, 1712, Sarah Adams of Concord. He resided in Westford and was 
a man of influence and held in high esteem. He d. Oct. 4, 1772. Among 
the ten children of Capt. Joseph Fletcher was Capt. Pelatiah who was b. in 
Westford May 3, 1727. He md. Jan. 13, 1757, Dorothy Hildreth, dau. of 
James and Dorothy Hildreth of Westford ; she d. June 14, 1782, and he md. 
(2d) Betty (Hartwell) Keyes. He d. in Westford Feb. 23, 1807. Pelatiah, 
the sixth of the twelve children of Capt. Pelatiah and Dorothy (Hildreth) 
Fletcher, became a resident of Ashburnham and is number 11 in the following 
register. 

Dea. Joshua Fletcher, a brother of Capt. Pelatiah and a son of Capt. 
Joseph Fletcher, was b. Nov. 20, 1731. He md. 1755, Elizabeth Raymond 
and resided in Westford. He d. June 10, 1783. Among their nine children 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



701 



was Joshua Fletcher who removed to Ashburnham and is number 23 in the 
following register, and Patty the wife of Grant Houston. Another son of 
Dea. Joshua and Elizabeth (Raymond) Fletcher was Lyman Fletcher who 
md. 1794, Lois Gates, dau. of Henry Gates, and resided a short time in 
this town. 



1 



11 



JosiAH Fletcher, b. July 7, 1757, son of Ebenezer and 
Joanna (Stearns) Fletcher, md. April 9, 1786, Abigail 
Fletcher and the same year removed to the southeast part 
of this town, where he resided until his death Feb. 6, 
1817. His widow was a resident of this town in 1823. 
Eight children. 

I. Joshua, b. Jan. 31, 1787; d. Oct. 2, 1794. 
11. Josiali, b. Dec. 20, 1788; md. Sept. 19, 1815, 
Deborah Gushing, dau. of David Cushing, q. v. 
They removed from this town previous to 1820. 
One child was b. in Ashburnham. 

1. Deborah Maria, b. July 7, 1816. 

III. Elizabeth, b. April 20, 1791 ; md. April 24, 1816, 
Joshua Fletcher Reed. They buried a child in 
this town 1818 and another 1819. The date of 
his death is unknown. She md. (2d) 1823, 
John Fenno of Rindge. 

Timothy, b. Feb. 9, 1794 ; md. Jan., 1819, Cynthia 
Parker of New Ipswich. They resided a short 
time in this town. An infant d. Nov. 21, 1819. 

Joshua, b. March 7, 1796. 

Isaac, b. June 4, 1798. 

Infant, b. 1800; d. Aug. 19, 1801. 

Abigail, b. July 17, 1802; md. Dec. 6, 1817, 
Salmon Snow; she md. (2d) 1821, Aaron 
Barton of New Ipswich. 



IV. 



/ 


V. 


8 


VI. 


9 


VII. 





VIII. 



12 



Felatiah Fletcher, son of Capt. Pelatiah and Dorothy 
(Hildreth) Fletcher, was b. April 4, 1767; he md. Dec. 
5, 1785, Patty Keyes, dau. of Jonathan Keyes of 
Westford ; she d. Dec. 9, 1786. At this date he removed 
to this town; he md. (2d) Sept. 22, 1788, Sally Wood- 
ward of Westford and after a residence in this town of 
about ten years he removed to Groton ; he md. (3d) June 
2, 1803, widow Beulah (Buttrick) Heywood, widow of 
Levi Heywood of Winchendon. He d. in Westford May 
7, 1811; she d. May 18, 1814. In this family were 
eleven children who have filled honorable positions in life. 
Except in childhood none have resided in this town. 

I. Joel, b. Feb. 23, 1786. 



702 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



13 



14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 

23 



24 

25 
26 



27 
28 
29 
30 
31 



II. Patty, b. June 28, 1789 ; md. April 9, 1807, Jacob 
Osgood, b. in Westford 1787, son of Col. 
Benjamin and Tryphena (Cummiugs) Osgood. 
They resided in Westford and among their 
children was Patty Osgood, wife of Samuel S. 
Stevens, q. v. 

III. Sally (twin), b. June 28, 1789. 

IV. Wiiey, b. Feb. 7, 1791. 

V. Samuel, b. March 2, 1792. 

VI. Timothy, b. Nov. 28, 1795 ; lived in Charlestown. 
VII. Calvin, b. Feb. 20, 1797 ; lived in Groton. 
VIII. Harriet, b. July 31, 1800 ; md. Nathan S. Hamblin. 
IX. Mary, b. June 25, 1803 ; md. Thomas Richardson. 
X. Pelatiah, b. June 27, 1804. 
XI. Lucy, b. Sept. 10, 1806 ; md. Abel Stevens. 

Joshua Fletcher, son of Joshua and Elizabeth (Ray- 
mond) Fletcher, was b. in Westford Feb. 22, 1760. 
While a resident of his native town he "was a soldier in 
the Revolution. Vide page 208. He md. April 20, 1815, 
Lucy Jones, dan. of Enos Jones, q. v., and soon after 
that date he removed to Ashburnham, where he resided 
until his death April 14, 1843. His widow d. in Rindge 
Dec. 21, 1850. 

I. Mary E.,\i. May 1, 1816; md. April 18, 1844, 

Dea. Joseph Wetherbee, q. v. 
II. Hannah, b. Nov. 16, 1817; d. Oct. 1, 1839. 
III. Joshua, b. Aug. 27, 1820 ; md. April 24, 1846, 
Emeline Stimson,dau. of Edward Stimson, q.v. 
She d. Sept. 16, 1847, leaving a dau. who d. 
young. He md. (2d) April 14, 1852, Mrs. 
Frances (Partridge) Sampson. She d. May 13, 
1876; he md. (3d) Jan. 25, 1881. Mrs. Delia 
A. (West) Cross of Bradford, N. H. He is a 
farmer, resided in Rindge until 1882, when he 
removed to Jaffrey, N. H. Eight children were 
b. in Rindge. 

1. Emeline F., b. Jan. 15, 1853; d. March 

18, 1854. 

2. Arthur J., b. Feb. 22, 1855 ; d. April 27, 

1855. 

3. Ada Maria, b. June 24, 1856 ; md. Charles 

D. Ellis, son of Daniels Ellis, q. v. 

4. Walter Irving, b. Jan. 28, 1858 ; md. Nov. 

2, 1881, Agnes Washburn of Natick. 

5. Winslow Ordway, b. March 15, 1859 ; md. 

May 31, 1886, Etta Elliot (Lawrence 71). 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



703 



32 
33 

34 



6. William Frederick, b. June 9, 1861. 

7. Myrtilla Ines, b. Feb. 4, 1864, a teacher in 

the public schools of Ashburnham. 

8. Edwiu C, b. Aug. 25, 1866. 



Ebenezer Flint, sqd of Edmund and Abigail (Damon) 
Flint, was b. in Ashby May 31, 1788. He was a farmer 
and resided in this town from 1813 until his death Dec. 3, 
1835. He md. Jan. 12, 1813, Emma Wilder, b. Aug. 5, 
1793, dau. of Samuel and Hannah (Lasel) Wilder of 
Hingham. She was a niece of the wife of Thomas Hobart ; 
she d. Nov. 25, 1856. 

I. Emma H., b. March 11, 1814; md. Charles H. 
Barrett, q. v. 



Edward S. Flint, son of Thomas and Betsey (Keyes) 
Flint of Westford and a grandson of Henry Flint of 
Carlisle, was b. in Westford Sept. 2, 1817. For many 
years he was engaged in the manufacture of chairs at 
South Ashburnham. He is one of the Board of Selectmen 
and in 1855 he represented the district in the Legislature. 
He md. June 5, 1845, Betsey C. Glazier, dau. of John C. 
Glazier, q. v. 

I. Mary Elizabeth, b. Jan. 13, 1847; d. March 7, 

1852. 
11. Julia Evangeline, b. June 3, 1862 ; d. Sept. 25, 

1863. 
III. Helen Eliece, b. Dec. 2, 1865. 



FOSTER. 

The numerous families of Foster in Ashburnham, whose names appear in 
the following record, are descended from Reginald Foster, an English 
emigrant, who settled in Ipswich about 1G38 and was one of the earliest 
inhabitants of that town. His name occasionally appears in the early records 
and in a connection that presents him as an active and useful citizen who 
bore a full share of the burdens of the settlement. In 1645 he was a 
subscriber to the fund for the payment of Maj. Dennison who was in 
command of the military force of that vicinity. In 1G52 the settlement 
granted Reginald Foster and Thomas Clark £10 " for cutting a passage from 
this river into Chebacco river of ten feet wide and soe deepe as a lighter 
may pass through laden." In 1G58 for £50 he bought of Roger Preston a 
considerable tract of land with buildings. The name of his wife was Judith ; 
their five sons and two daughters were b. in England. His wife d. 1604 and 
the following year he md. Sarah Martin, widow of John Martin. The date 
of his death is not known, but his will was probated June 9, 1G81. Jacob 
Foster, son of Reginald, was b. in England 1635. He resided in Ipswich 
and was a deacon of the church. He md. Jan. 12, 1658-9, Martha Kinsman 
who d. Oct. 15, IGGG; he md. (2d) Feb. 26. 1GG6-7, Abigail Lord, dau. of 
Robert and Mary (Wait) Lord, who survived him and d. June 4, 1729; he d. 



704 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



June 9, 1710. His grave in Ipswich is marked by a stone monument. 
There were five children by the first and nine by the second marriage. 
Abraham Foster, the sixth child and the eldest child by the second marriage, 
was b. in Ipswich Dec. 4, 1667; by his first wife Abigail who d. Oct. 8, 1732, 
there were nine children. He was a carpenter in Ipswich, where he d. Dec. 
25, 1720-1. 



(4) 



9 
10 

(5) 



11 
12 



Jeremiah Foster, a son of Abraham and Abigail Foster 
and of the fourth generation from Reginald Foster the 
emigrant, was b. in Ipswich about 1710. In this line of 
descent he was the first to leave the town of Ipswich the 
home of his ancestors. He md. 1735, Ruth Metcalf, and 
in 1743 he removed to Harvard and ten years later he 
settled in Ashburnham on land west of Lake Naukeag 
still known as Foster Hill. Vide page 91. He was a 
man of exemplary character, reserved in manner, in- 
dustrious, honest, a kind neighbor and an excellent 
citizen. He d. Dec. 12, 1788; his wife d. Feb. 6, 1776. 
Four children b. in Ipswich and two in Harvard. 

I. Jeremiah, bap. Aug. 8, 1736; d. young. 
II. Abigail, bap. Feb. 17, 1737-8. 

III. Jeremiah, bap. Jan. 6, 1 739-40. -|- 

IV. Samuel, bap. Jan. 8, 1 741-2. -|- 

V. Judith, b. March 15, 1747 ; md. Dr. Peter Brooks, 

q. V. 
VI. Rebecca, b. Oct. 20, 1750; md. Caleb Ward, q. v. 

Jeremiah Foster, Jr., md. Oct. 29, 1765, Sarah 
Fellows, dau. of Dea. Samuel Fellows, q. v. They 
resided in Ashburnham until 1773, when they removed to 
Shelburne. Three children were b. in this town. 

I. Sarah, b. Aug. 10, 1766. 
II. Amos, b. Oct. 13, 1768. 
m. Nathan, b. Nov. 27, 1771. 

Samuel Foster was a worthy and influential citizen. 
His name is frequently and honorably named in the 
records, and many incidents in his life may be gleaned 
from the early part of this volume. He md. July 6, 
1769, Susanna Wood, b. April 14, 1750, dau. of Bennett 
and Lydia (Law) Wood of Littleton, and a sister of the 
wife of Capt. Deliverance Davis. He d., says Mr. Gush- 
ing, " of bilious colic terminating in a fever," April 15, 
1793; she d. Oct. 31, 1839. 

I. Abraham, b. April 8, 1770. -f- 

II. Nathaniel, b. Dec. 26, 1771.-}- 



13 

14 
15 



16 
17 

18 



19 

20 

(11) 



21 
22 
23 

24 
25 
26 

27 
28 



29 
(12) 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 7Q5 

III. Jeremiah Bennett, b. Oct. 11, 1773; resided in 

this town ; d. unmd. Aug. 3, 1846. 

IV. Samuel, b. Feb. 9, 1776.-}- 

V. Hosea, b. Aug. 1, 1778 ; md. Dec. 8, 1803, Molly 
Joslin, and removed to Verona, N. Y. He d 
Feb. 23, 1855. Four children. 
VI. Joel, b. Aug. 21, 1780.-}- 

VII. Amos,h. Nov. 16, 1782; d. unmd. Sept. 21, 1812. 

VIII. Obadiah, b. Oct. 25, 1786. July 15, 1809, his 

intentions of marriage to Deborah Willard were 

published. He d. July 24, 1809. 

IX. Susanna, b. Sept. 25, 1789 ; md. Francis Lane, 

Jr., q. V. 

X. Dorothy, b. Nov. 25, 1793 ; md. Ezekiel Metcalf, 

q. V. 



Abraham Foster, son of Samuel, md. Jan. 26, 1792 
Sarah Willard, dau. of Dea. John Willard. He was a 
blacksmith and a farmer, residing where Michael Couo-hlin 
now resides. His wife d. July 24, 1831; he md. (2d) 
Jan. 1, 1837, Mary T. Davis, dau. of Ebenezer Bennett 
Davis. He d. Nov., 1837 ; his widow d. April 29, 1853. 

I. Sarah, b. Oct. 17, 1792. 
II. John IF., b. May 12, 1794. 

III. Abigail, b. July 6, 1796. 

IV. Lucinda, b. June 9, 1798. 
V. Sophia, b. Sept. 21, 1800. 

VI. Abraham, b. July 14, 1802. 
VII. Harriet Willard, b. June 16, 1805. 
VIII. Elijah Willard, b. Oct. 8, 1807; md. Tryphena 
Lovewell, and resided in Gardner. Eicrht chil- 
dren. ° 
IX. Mary J., b. June 20, 1810. 



30 



31 



Nathaniel Foster, son of Samuel, md. Jan. 11, 1795 
Hepsibeth Cutting, dau. of Samuel Cuttino-, q. v He 
was a farmer in the northwest part of the town and con- 
ducted a saw-mill. Until the death of another Nathaniel 
on 'it^o'.^ "^^^ ^^-^'^^'^ Nathaniel Foster, Jr. He d. Sept. 

I. Rhoda, b. Dec. 15, 1795; md. Nov. 23, 1820, 
Asa Smith of Gardner. She d. Oct. 30, 1821 
leaving a son. ' 



1. Asa F., b. Oct. 20, 1821; md. Fidelia 
Jackson. 



45 



706 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



32 
33 
34 
35 

36 

37 

38 

39 

40 

41 

(14) 



42 



43 



44 



45 



46 



II. Hepsibeth, b. Oct. 13, 1797; d. Dec. 14, 1809. 

III. Samuel^ b. July 28, 1799. -|- 

IV. Emma, b. Sept. 3, 1801 ; d. young. 

V. Emma, b. Dec. 29, 1803 ; md. Thomas Bennett, 

q. V. 
VI. Eunice, b. ; md. Henry Carter of Leom- 
inster ; four children. 
VII. Nancy, b. ; md. Metaphor Kendall of Leom- 
inster ; she d. 1843, leaving five children. 
VIII. Mary, b. 1807 ; md. Stillman D. Benjamin, 
q. V. 
IX. Adaline, b. Sept. 30, 1809; md. Sept. 11, 1832, 
Albert Lamb of Leominster. ' 

X. Elvira F., b. ; md. Stephen Dodge of 

Leominster. 
XI. Leonard, b. April 14, 1814. -(- 



Samuel Foster, son of Samuel, md. Feb. 5, 1799, 
Lydia Stearns, dau. of William Stearns, g. v., and the 
same year he removed to Stoddard, N. H. He was a 
blacksmith and a farmer. He d. April 24, 1868 ; she d. 
July 1, 1867. 

I. Stearns, b. Dec. 26, 1799 ; md. Feb. 3, 1825, 
Cynthia Willson of Stoddard; she d. July 9, 
1844 ; he md. (2d) Dec. 3, 1845, Mary Fuller 
of Hancock, N. H. He resided in Stoddard 
until 1860, when he removed to Keene, N. H., 
where he d. Aug. 23, 1882. Seven children. 

II. Lydia, b. Aug. 22, 1801 ; md. Nov. 24, 1824, 
Dea. Luke Joslin, son of David and Rebecca 
(Richardson) Joslin of Stoddard, and grandson 
of John and Susannah (Carter) Joslin of Leom- 
inster. Dea. Joslin, in 1855, removed to 
Keene, N. H., where he d. June 3, 1875. Three 
children. 

III. Maria, b. April 29, 1804; md. Nov. 4, 1823, 

Stephen Wood of Hancock, N. H. ; he d. April 
30, 1874. 

IV. Hosea, b. April 13, 1806 ; md. Nov. 7, 1833, 

Mary G. Rice, dau. of Peter and Sally (Moore) 
Rice of Stoddard, N. H. ; he resided in Stod- 
dard, N. H., until 1868, when he removed to 
Keene, N. H., where he d. by accident, Feb. 7, 
1872. Six children. 
V. Selina, b. July 5, 1809 ; md. Feb. 16, 1830, Mark 
Bowers of Hancock, N. H. Seven children. 
Rev. Albert Bowers, formerly pastor Congrega- 



47 



48 



49 
50 



(16) 



51 



52 
53 
54 



(33) 



55 
56 
57 
58 
59 
60 
61 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 707 

tional church, HuntiDgton, W. Va., now of 
liuggles, O., and George Bowers, D. D. S., of 
Nashua, N. H., are their sous. 

VI. Emily, b. Dec. 19, 1811; md. Oct. 10, 1833, 
Dea. Edward Hayward of Hancock. They 
removed 1869 to Keeue, N. H., and subse- 
quently to Hyde Park, to reside with their chil- 
dren. He d. Nov. 6, 1883. Seven children. 
VII. Samuel, b. Nov. 29, 1815 ; md. Nov. 5, 1845, 
Mary S. Palmer. He d. in Boston, Aug. 5, 
1850; she d. Sept. 25, 1846. 
VIII. Electa, b. Nov. 10, 1817; d. Dec. 25, 1818. 

IX. Electa, b. June 10, 1825 ; md. July 15, 1850, 
James Downing, son of James and Lydia 
(Ayers) Downing of Marlow, N. H. Four 
children. 



Joel Foster, sod of Samuel, was a valuable citizen. 
He was in town office several years and ably and faithfully 
discharged every trust. He md. 1805, Dolly Wetherbee 
of Boxboro', b. Feb. 21, 1774; she d. May 23, 1838 ; he 
md. (2d) April 23, 1839, Ruth Fuller, widow of Benjamin 
Fuller. He d. Sept. 6, 1859 ; she d. April 3, 1850, aged 
76 years. 

I. Harriet, b. Sept. 10, 1806; md. April 1, 1830, 
James Hayward of Ashby ; she d. April 10, 
1839 ; he md. (2d) Melinda Corey, g. v. 

II. Joel, b. July 15, 1808 ; d. March 31, 1814. 

in. Jerome W., b. Dec. 15, 1810. -[- 

rv. Dorothy, b. Sept. 6, 1813 ; md. June 12, 1833, 
Lewis G. Houghton, b. April 12, 1804, son of 
Elijah and Sarah Houghton of Ashby. She d. 
Dec. 31, 1863. 



Samuel Foster, son of Nathaniel, md. Dec. 15, 1825, 
Emeline Kibling, dau. of John Kibling, q. v. They 
resided in this town and in Fitchburg. They d. in 
Fitchburg. 

I. Sarah A., h. March 27, 1827. 
II. Charles S.,-h. June 6, 1828. 

III. Leonard G., b. Aug. 26, 1837. 

IV. Ellen. 

V. Edwin. 

VI. George. 
VII. Louisa. 



708 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



(41) 



62 

63 

64 

(53) 



65 
66 

67 
68 



69 
70 

71 

72 
78 
74 
75 

(65) 



76 



77 



78 



Leonard Foster, son of Nathaniel, resides in the 
northwest part of the town. For manj^ years he has been 
activel}^ engaged iu the manufacture of lumber and has 
frequently been chosen to positions in town affairs. He 
md. April 18, 1838, Melvina Lawrence, dau. of Capt. 
Moses Lawrence, q. v. She d. Aug. 28, 1848 ; md. (2d) 
1850, Clarissa Cole ; md. (3d) 1862, Sarah Howard. 

I. Waldo A., b. Oct. 6, 1841 ; md. Dec. 31, 1870, 

H. Elizabeth Chandler. He was in the employ 

of the Fitchburg Railroad several years. Resides 

in Fitchburg. 

II. Jennie A., b. Sept. 6, 1839 ; md. Webster Maynard 

of Winchendon ; she d. July 16, 1861. 
III. EmmaL., b. Oct. 7, 1847 ; drowned June 14, 1850. 



Jerome W. Foster, Esq., son of Joel, during a useful 
life was prominent in town affairs and highly esteemed by 
the community. Vide page 485 and lists of town officers. 
He md. April 23, 1834, Mary Colson, dau. of George and 
Nancy (Aldrich) Colson. He d. March 23, 1871. 

I. George C, b. Jan 21, 1835. + 
II. 3fary C, b. March 12, 1838; md. Feb. 9, 1858, 
Josiah P. Sawtell, q. v. 
Jerome, b. Nov. 5, 1839 ; d. April 5, 1841. 
Harriet M., b. July 28, 1843 ; md. July 1, 1875, 
Goldsburg H. Pond, son of Goldsburg and 
Julia Ann (Harden) Pond of Franklin, Mass. 
Susan B., b. Nov. 5, 1844; d. Aug. 14, 1866. 
C. Lucretia, b. June 1, 1846 ; resides unmd. in 
Ashburnham. 
vn. Ella J., b. Nov. 11, 1847 ; d. May 29, 1861. 
VIII. D. Josephine, b. Dec. 26, 1849 ; d. Nov. 18, 1869. 
IX. Emma B., b. Feb. 6, 1852 ; d. Sept. 14, 1852. 
X. Emma. b. June 15, 1853 ; d. Sept. 7, 1861. 
XI. Jerome, b. June 5, 1856 ; d. Oct. 29, 1856. 



III. 

IV. 



V. 
VI. 



George C. Foster resides in Ashburnham. He is 
proprietor of a livery stable and a farmer, and an active, 
useful citizen. He. md. Aug. 10, 1856, Sarah E. Bemis, 
dau. of William Bemis, q. v. 

I. Charles W., b. May 16, 1858; resides unmd. in 
this town. He is of the sixth generation from 
Jeremiah and Ruth (Metcalf) Foster. 
11. George 0., b. June 17, 1862; d. Feb. 12, 1883. 



Dea. Moses Foster is a prominent character in the 
early annals of Ashburnham. The date of his arrival 



79 



80 
81 
82 
83 

84 
85 
86 

87 



88 



89 
90 
91 
92 
93 



GENEALOGICAL KEGISTER. 709 

here is not accuratel.y known. In 1750 the proprietors 
styled liim "one of the first settlers." Those who came 
to the wilderness at this time found him improving a 
considerable clearing in the northeast part of the grant and 
in the present town of Ashby. In 1750 he removed to a lot 
east and adjoining the common and was there an innholder 
several years. In the records he is presented as an 
influential man and a prominent citizen. He was one of 
the thirteen original members and the first deacon of the 
church. After a prolonged search I am compelled to say 
that the place and date of his birth and record of his early 
life and marriage have not been found. I can only add 
that the name of his wife was Mar}'^ ; she d. Nov. 11, 
1777, "aged 70 to 80 years." He d. Oct. 17, 1785, 
"aged 04 years." The record of two children is im- 
perfectly preserved. 

I. Moses, b. ; md. Mary ; he lived in 

the northeast part of the grant and in company 
with Zimri Heywood he owned a mill. The site 
of this early mill is in Ashby. He removed in 
1770 to Shelhurne. 

1. Milicent, b. May 1, 1758 ; d. Oct. 8, 1760. 

2. Sarah, b. April 14, 1760. 
,3. Kezia, b. March 10, 1762. 

4. Phebe, b. April 29, 1764; md. Capt. 

David Merriam, q. v. 

5. Esther, b. Jan. 19, 1767. 

6. Brooks, b. March 14, 1769. 

7. Moses, b. in Shelburne ; bap. in Ashburn- 

ham Dec. 29, 1771. 

11. Jane, b. ; md. June 5, 1756, Zimri Hey- 
wood, q. V. 



Nathaniel Foster, whose lineage has not been made 
certain, resided in this town twenty years immediately 
after the Revolution. His farm was near Ward pond in 
the northeast part of the town and probably west of it. 
His wife d. May 19, 1785; he md. (2d) Dec. 29, 1785, 
]\rary Kendall of this town. He d. Oct. 12, 1804, aged, 
snys Mr. Gushing, between 40 and 50 years. 

I. Mary, b. Oct. 6, 1786. 

II. Rebecca, b. Dec. 19, 1788. 

III. Lucy, b. Aug. 12, 1791. 

IV. Catherine, b. Dec. 9, 179o. 

V. Stephen, b. Jan. 29, 1796; d. Feb. 12, 1796. 



710 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



94 
95 
96 



VI. Nathaniel, b. Feb. 22, 1797. 

VII. Joel^ b. June 9, 1801. 

VIII. Sarah, b. Aug. 13, 1803. 



JoEi. French, a native of England, b. about 1760, 
with his family came to this country about 1806, and 
after a short residence in Weymouth, where he followed 
his trade as tailor, he removed to Ashburuham about 
1818, and subsequently was a farmer. The youngest 
child b. during the voyage was named in compliment of 
the captain of the vessel. He d. March 29, 1829. 

I. Eliza, b. 1798 ; md. John Pratt, q. v. 
II. Zethan, b. 1802 ; md. in Ashburuham 1837, 

Phebe Ames; d. in Weathersfield, Vt., Nov. 

25, 1884. 
III. Perez Drinkwater, b. about 1806 ; d. in Reading, 

Vt., 1841. 



FROST. 

Edmund Frost, with wife Thomasine, settled in Cambridge 1G35. He was 
a ruling Elder of the church in Cambridge. His wife d. previous to 1661) 
and he md. (2d) widow Reana Daniel who survived him. He d. July 12 
1G72, " leaving to his children the example of a godlj- life." Ephraini Frost 
son of Edmund, the emigrant, resided in Cambridge where he d. Jan. 2 
1717-18, aged 72. By wife Hepsibah who survived him, he had five chil 
dren ; of these, Ebenezer Frost b. 1697, md. July 2, 1723, Deborah Martin 
He was a currier and d. in Cambridge 1768, leaving three sons. The second 
of these, Ebenezer Frost, b. 1725, md. April 21, 1718, Naomi Dana, dau. of 
Thomas and Mary (Parker) Dana; about 1760 he removed to Rutland. 
Stephen Frost, son of Ebenezer and Naomi (Dana) Frost was b. in Rutland, 
and settled in Hubbardston. He md. Mary Warren of Brighton, and d. June 
18, 1828; she d. May 31, 1851, ai^ed 81 years. Their son Ebenezer, of the 
fifth generation, settled in Asiiburnham. 



Ebenezer Frost, son of Stephen and Mary (Warren) 
Frost, was b. in Hubbardston, Aug. 18, 1802. He re- 
moved to this town about 1823, and for many years he 
was an efficient and popular school teacher, and a farmer. 
He was an intelligent man, an active citizen, and his 
name frequently appears in the list of town officers. He 
md. Aug., 1828, Sally Sawin, dau. of Asa and Susannah 
(Grimes) Sawin, q. v. He d. Nov. 27, 1876 ; she d. Nov. 
11, 1874. 

I. /Spencer, b. April 4, 1831 ; md. Sept., 1860, 
Mar}' R. Lamb of Westminster ; he was in the 
service in the 53d Regiment and now resides, a 
farmer, in Arthur, 111. 



8 

9 

10 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 711 

II. Mary Susan, b. March 2?>, 1833; md. Nov., 
1856, Duvid Heald of Milford, N. H. ; she d. 
Nov. 'J, 1859. 

III. Charles IL, b. July 6, 1835 ; resides in Arthur, 111. 

IV. Ellen R., b. March 27, 1838 ; md. 1862, Rinaldo 

H. Shattuck, son of Andrew and Rebecca 
(Green) Shattuck of Townsend. He enlisted 
on the quota of this town, and d. at Brashear, 
La., May 8, 18G3 ; she md. (2d) 1875, George 
T. Samson, g. v. 
V. Huldah E., b. Jan. 18, 1841 ; md. Jan. 6, 1864, 
William P. Heald of Milford, N. H. ; she d. 
Nov. 15, 1866. 



John Frost resided in this town from about 1778 to 
1787. His early and subsequent history is unknown. The 
name of his wife was Mary, and three children were b. in 
this town. 

I. John, b. Oct. 12, 1780. 
II. Josejyh, b. July 4, 1783. 
III. Hannah y b. May 12, 1785. 



Chester B. Gale, b. in Barnard, Vt., Feb. 17, 1831 ; 
md. March 15, 1859, Lucy A. Godfrey, and removed to 
this town 1862. In Aug., 1862, he enlisted in 36th In- 
fantiy and served through the war. He is a farmer. 

I. Alice G., b. March 14. 1860; d. May 29, 1860. 

II. Alta E., 1). June 30, 1862. 
in. Charles B., h. July 23, 1866. 
lY. Clinton, b. July 29, 1868 ; d. Aug. 28, 1868. 

V. Freddie C, b. May 8, 1871 ; d. Aug. 16, 1871. 
VI. Edith A., b. Nov. 25, 1876. 



Capt. Jonathan Gates, with wife Elizabeth, and one 
or more children removed from Harvard to this town im- 
mediately preceding 1765. He was frequently elected to 
office and was a prominent citizen while he remained in 
this town. During the first three years of the Revolution 
he was a captain of the militia and several times he was 
in active service. Vide Chap. V, and list of town 
officers. Several children were bap., but the birth of none 
are on record. It is not certain that all the children are 
named in this register. The family removed from town 
soon after the Revolution. 



712 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



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II. 


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III. 


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IV. 


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V. 


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VI. 


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VII. 


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VIII. 



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20 
21 
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Jonathan, b. in Harvard Sept. 27, 1762. In 
1818 he -was residing in Champion, N. Y. Vide 
page 184. 

Zaccheus. 

Ebenezer Shedd. 

John. 

Henry. 

iSarah, b. 1776. 

Freedom, b. 1778. 

Thankful Fletcher, h. 1780. 



Henry Gates, by a tradition a brother of Capt. Jona- 
than, with wife Lois, came to this town previous to 1770. 
He was a soldier in the Revolution. He settled on the 
Howard farm, and remained in this town during life. He 
d. Nov. 11, 1807 ; his widow d. Jan. 16, 1812. 

Hannah, b. 1770. 

Lois, b. 1771 ; md. Lyman Fletcher, q. v. 

Molly Shedd, b. 1773 ; md. Joseph Davis, son of 

Amos Davis, q. v. 
Henry, b. 1775.-}- 

Hosea, b. 1777 ; d. in Stow March 24, 1835. 
Persis, b. April 16, 1779 ; md. Edward Maynard, 

q. V. 
William, b. Oct. 13, 1782.-]- 
Jonathan, b. 1786. 



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I. 


12 


II. 


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III. 


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IV. 


15 


V. 


16 


VI. 


17 


VII. 


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VIII. 



Henry Gates md. Aug. 10. 1796, Prudence Priest; 
she d. Feb. 5, 1808 ; md. (2d) 1809, Ruth Lawrence of 
Mason, N. H. He d. in this town Jan. 27, 1856. His 
death is recorded William Gates, and the death noted on 
page 552 refers to this Henry Gates. 

I. Candace, b. Feb. 9, 1797. 
II. Artemas, b. Sept. 6, 1798. 

III. Mary, h. Feb. 19, 1805. 

IV. Louisa Whitcomb, b. March 2, 1807. 
V. Eveline, b. Feb. 15, 1810. 

VI. Sarah Lawrence, b. April 21, 1811. 



William Gates rad. Sept. 6, 1807, Betsey Hosley of 
Hancock, N. H. They resided in Westminster from 
1814 to 1818 and subsequently in this town. He d. Dec. 
7, 1844 ; she d. Aug. 22, 1872. 

I. William, b. Oct. 28, 1809 ; md. Aug. 29, 1837, 



26 

27 

28 
29 



30 



31 



42 



(35) 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 713 

Betse}^ Hosley of Jamaica, Vt. He d. in New 
Faue, Vt., 1881. 
11. David, b. Nov. 8, 1812 ; d. Sept. 17, 1814. 

III. Sally, h. Aug. 11, 1814; md. Hezekiah Matthews, 

q. V. 

IV. Mary, b. March 7, 1816 ; md. Ivers Burgess, q. v. 
V. Elizabeth, b. April 25, 1818 ; md. Jesse Parker, 

q. V. 



John Gates, probabl}' a brother of Capt. Jonathan and 
Henry, came to this town about 1770. He md. 1773, 
Catherine CooHdge, dau. of Elisha Coolidge, q. v., and 
resided, a farmer, in this town. 

I. Catherine, b. Sept. 15, 1773 ; md. Melzer Hudson, 

q. v. 
Levi,'h. Aug. 27, 1775. 

Lucy, b. Sept. 5, 1778 ; md. Luther Brooks, q. o. 
Betty, b. Dec. 18, 1780; md. Dec. 27, 1801, 

Josiah Wheeler, b. in Westminster Dec. 31, 

1781, son of Josiah and Lucy (Graves) Wheeler ; 

md. (2d) Joseph Merriam, Jr., q. v. 
John, b. March 28, 1783.+ 
Sally, b. April 7, 1785. 
Ezra, b. July 26, 1787. No record of marriage; 

a child was buried in this town 1817, but he was 

not taxed that year. 
ximos, b. Mav 22, 1790 ; d. July 4, 1794. 
Nancy, b. March 18, 1792 ; d. Dec. 13, 1796. 
Asa, b. Feb. 18, 1794 ; d. Feb. 19, 1794. 
Amy, b. May 4, 1795 ; md. Dec. 12, 1815, Samuel 

Beal, son of John and Lydia (Holman) Beal of 

Chesterfield, N. H. They resided in Chesterfield, 

where she d. May 23, 1854. He d. Dec. 5, 

1870. Nine children. 
Loring, b, Sept. 30, 1797; md. 1819, Nancy 

Adams, dau. of James Adams, q. v. They 

removed to Harford, Penn. 



32 


II, 


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III. 


34 


IV. 


35 


V. 


36 


VI. 


37 


VII. 


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VIII. 


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IX. 


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X. 


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XI. 



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I 


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II 


45 


III 


46 


IV. 


47 


V. 


48 


VI. 



John Gates md. 1808, Lucy Pierce of Gardner, 

Nancy, b. Jan. 13, 1809. 
xUfred, b. Aug. 10. LSI 0. 
Lucy, b. June 15, 1812. 
John, b. May 13, 1814. 
Ezra, b. Nov. 18, 1816. 
Warren, b. April 7, 1819. 



714 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



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I 


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II 


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III 


53 


IV 


54 


V. 


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TI 



56 

57 

58 

59 
60 

(53) 



61 
62 
63 
64 



Everett Gates, b. Sept. 11, 1798, son of Isaiah and 
Susannah (Hapgood) Gates of Stow, md. Jan. 30, 1822, 
Chloe Constantine, dau. of Jacob Constantine, q. v. He 
was a farmer and on a farm in Ashb}' adjoining this town. 
He d. April 20, 18G0 ; his widow resides on the homestead 
with memory unimpaired. 

John L., b. Nov. 3, 1822 ; d. June 12, 1829. 
Charles E., b. Feb. 16, 1825 ; d. unmd. Oct. 23, 

18G4. 
James L., b. May 3, 1827 ; d. June 16, 1829. 
Jacob P., b. April 20, 1829.+ 
George 0., b. May 8, 1832 ; d. March 24, 1839. 
Mary E., b. May 6, 1835 ; resides unmd. on the 

homestead. 
Timothy N., h. Jan. 16, 1837; md. Sept. 28, 

1859, Mary A. Whittemore ; resides in Fitch- 
burg. Six children. 
Otis E., b. Sept. 26, 1839 ; resides unmd. on the 

homestead. 
Frajicis Jf., b. April 4, 1842 ; resides unmd. on the 

homestead. 
Eliza J., b. June 23, 1844 ; d. June 27, 1852. 
Eugene C, b. July 16, 1847 ; resides unmd. on the 

homestead. 



IX. 



X. 

XI. 



Jacob Philbrick Gates, son of Everett Gates, md. 
Sept. 18. 1855, Sally Wilker, dau. of John Wilker, (/. v. 
He is a farmer and owns a part of the original Wilker 
farm. 

I. Flora G., b. Nov. 17, 1856. 
II. Willie E., b. Aug. 15, 1862 ; d. Dec. 19, 1863. 

III. Clara 31., b. Jan. 8, 1865. 

IV. Fred E., b. July 24, 1869. 



Charles Henry Gentle, b. in Westminster Sept. 30, 
1857, son of Charles and Mary (Dunn) Gentle, md. Nov. 
23, 1881, Sarah Smith, dau. of Leonard and Mary 
(Mansfield) Smith. ( P7c?e Lawrence register.) He owns 
and occupies the Merrick Willard farm at South Village. 



OIBBS. 

The Gibbs families of America are of English origin. The Ashburnham 
families are descendants of Matthew Gibbs who was a planter in Charlestown 
at an early date, and where he md. about IGoO, Mary Bradish, dau. of Robert 
Bradish of Cambridge. In 1G54 he sold his house and land in Charlestown 
and removed to Sudbury. He was chosen one of a committee in 1G55 and 



GENEALOGICAL KEGISTEK. 



715 



subsequently was frequently mentioned in the Sudbury and county records. 
He d. previous to KiD?. Tlie eldest of his seven children was Matthew Gibbs, 
Jr., who was b. about Ifioo. He removed from Sudbury to Framingham, 
where he d. March 0, 1732. He md. 1C78, Mary Moore, b. in Lancaster 
1655, dau. of John and Ann (Smith) Moore of Lancaster and Sudbury. He 
md. (2d) Elizabeth Moore, b. 1657, a sister of his first wife. She d. in 
Framingham Jan. 20, 1733-4. 

Joseph Gibbs, the fourth of the six children of Matthew Gibbs, Jr., was 
b. Oct. 7, 1087. He md. July 1, 1712, Mercy Clark, b. in Cambridge Dec. 
18, 1690, dau. of James and Sarah (Champney) Clark. He resided in 
Framingham until about 1717, when he removed to Sudbury, where his wife 
d. Feb. 28, 1733-4. Joseph and Mercy (Clark) Gibbs had six children, of 
whom Joseph Gibbs, Jr., the second child and eldest son, was b. in 
Framingham, where he was bap. Sept. 13, 1719. He md. Hannah Howe and 
resided in Kutland and Princeton. He d. in Princeton May 12, 1774. His 
wife d. May 22, 1772. Two of the sons of Joseph Gibbs, Jr., settled in 
Ashburnham. 



Daniel Gibbs, eldest son of Joseph and Hannah 
(Howe) Gibbs, was b. Aug. 1, 1751. He resided in 
Princeton until 1778, when he bought land of John Gates 
and a mill in South Ashburnham of Philip Lock. He 
probably removed to Ashburnham in 1778, as his name 
appears on the remnant of a tax list for that j'ear. 
He resided in this town until 1793, when he removed to 
Peterborough, N. H. From 1804 until his death he 
carried the mail from Brattleborough, Vt., to Portsmouth, 
N. H., at first on horseback and later in a light vehicle. 
He was killed while attempting to pass a bridge under 
repairs in Peterborough, Sept. 25, 1824. He md. in 
Princeton 1777, Lydia Woods, dau. of Samuel Woods of 
Princeton, and a half-sister of Rev. Dr. Leonard Woods ; 
she survived him and d. in Peterborough April 14, 1836, 
aged 75. Three children were b. in Ashburnhain and two 
in Peterborough. 

I. Polly, b. April 12, 1781 ; d. April 17, 1795. 

II. Asa, b. Aug. 26, 1789; md. March 16, 1809,. 
Mary Gregg, dau. of Major Samuel Gregg of 
Peterborough, N. H. She d. Feb. 24, 1813 ; md. 
(2d) July 4, 1815, Sally Porter, dau. of James 
Porter of Peterborough. Succeeding his father 
he carried the mails until 1826. He d. in Peter- 
borough May 27, 1849 ; his widow d. Oct. 24, 
1859. Four children. 

III. Abel, b. July 18, 1787; md. March 13, 1816, 
Nancy C. Porter, dau. of James Porter. He d. 
in Savannah, Ga., 1819. Their only child, 
James Porter Gibbs, d. in Woburn, Oct. 9, 
1842, aged 26 years. 



716 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



IV. Lydia Woods, b. Aug. 29, 1798 ; md. John Gard- 
ner ; md. (2d) Jan., 1828, Rev. William Hogan 
of Savannali, Ga. He d. 1848; she d. in 
Peterborough Sept. 30, 1875. 

V. Sally, b. 1800 ; d. unmd. May 29, 1820. 



13 

14 

15 
IG 

17 

18 
19 



9 


II. 


10 


III. 


11 


IV. 


12 


V. 



Joseph Gibbs, son of Joseph and Hannah (Howe) 
Gibbs, was b. Oct. 12, 1756. He remained in Princeton 
during the Revolution, and was taxed there until 1783. 
At this time he removed to this town and settled on 
the farm now of his grandson, George G. Samson. He 
was intelligent, industrious, honest, a kind neighbor and 
an exemplary citizen. He md. Jan. 9, 1787, Elizabeth 
Laws, b. July 28, 1766, dau. of James, Jr., and Anne 
(Danforth) Laws of Westminster. She d. Nov. 10, 
1809 ; he md. (2d) June 19, 1811, Sally Fairbanks, dau. 
of Cyrus Fairbanks, q. v. He d. from injury received 
from a falling tree, March 19, 1829. His widow md. (2d) 
Nov. 19, 1835, Lewis Hill of Chester, Vt., and d. 1858. 
There were eleven children of Joseph and Elizabeth 
(Laws) Gibbs, and two of Joseph and Sally (Fairbanks) 
Gibbs. 



Joseph, b. March 20, 1788; md. Feb. 2, 1813, 
Betsey Cowee of Westminster ; resided in Ben- 
son, Vt. 

Benjamin, b. Feb. 3, 1790.-|- 

Betsey, h. March 16, 1792; md. Jonathan Sam- 
son, q. 0. 

Azubah, b. Feb. 9, 1794; d. Aug. 9, 1795. 

Jonathan Danforth, b. May 24, 1796 ; resided in 
Jaffrey, N. H. ; md. Nov. 18, 1821, Rhoda 
Locke, b. July 27, 1801, dau. of Edward J. and 
Rhoda (Laws) Locke ; she d. May 12, 1834 ; he 
md. (2d) Dec. 29, 1835, Sarah H. Wilson of 
Mason, N. H. He was a public-spirited citizen. 

1. Rhoda Elizabeth, b. May 17, 1823. 



VI. Leavitt Howe, b. March 26. 1798. + 
vii. Infant, b. and d. Aug. 2, 1800. 
VIII. Azuhah, b. Dec. 4, 1801 ; md. 1823, Alison Lake, 
Esq., of Rindge ; she d. Jan. 3, 1832. 
IX. Leonard, b. April 10, 1803 ; resided in Utica, 

N. Y. 
X. Cyrus, b. Sept. 22, 1806; md. Elizabeth Bennett, 

resided in Canada. 
XI. Sylvia, b. Sept. 4, 1808; d. Sept. 22, 1808. 



20 
21 



22 



23 



(9) 



24 
25 



26 

27 



28 
29 

(14) 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 71 7 

XII. Infant, cl. Aug. 1, 1814. 

XIII. Merrick H., b. Dec. 21, 1815 ;• md. Sept. 19, 1842, 
Maria M. Whitney-, dau. of Noah and Mercy 
Whitney ; resided in Ashburnham and in Gard- 
ner. He d. June 17, 1879. His widow resides 
in Gardner. 

1. Merrick Wallace, b. July 18, 1846; md. 

1874, Lydia A. Whitman, dau. of 
Charles and Viola Whitman. He d. in 
Gardner Oct. 7, 1878 ; his wife d. Aug. 
23, 1877. One dau., Maud E., b. Dec. 
23. 1875. 

2. Kate M., b. Sept. 26, 1848 ; md. Nov. 28, 

1871, Edwin Gates, son of Addison and 
Nancy Gates ; reside in Gardner. 



Col. Benjamin Gibbs was an officer of the militia sev- 
eral years, and was promoted Major 1824, and Lieutenant 
Colonel 1825. About 1826 he removed to Cambridge- 
port, where he d. Sept. 7, 1863, He md. Dec. 19, 1813, 
Sarah Rice, dau. of Reuben Rice, q. v. She d. Jan. 17, 
1840 ; he md. (2d) July 22, 1841, her sister, Lucy Rice, 
who d. Dec. 29, 1885. 

I. Benjamin Wa^'ren, b. Sept. 10, 1815 ; md. Oct. 

14, 1838, Susan F. Johnson. He d. at Cam- 

bridgeport Jan. 7, 1878. 
II. Josej^h JS'., b. July 24, 1817; md. Nov. 27, 1845, 

Elizabeth AVheeler. He is a jeweller at Med- 

ford. 

III. Eeuben Rice, b. Feb. 13, 1820 ; d. Sept. 19,. 1824. 

IV. Sarah E., b. June 18, 1832 ; md. Nov. 22, 1855, 

Frank W. Reeves ; she resides, his widow, at 
Laconia, N. H. 
V. George H., b. July 29, 1842 ; md. April 23, 1871, 
Ruharnah H. Wyman ; he d. at Cambridgeport 
Nov. 5, 1882. 
VI. Charles E., b. Aug. 5, 1844; md. April 30, 1868, 
Mary E. Hartford ; resides at Maplewood. 



Leavitt H. Gibbs md. June 13, 1824, Charlotte 
Stearns, b. July 17, 1800, dau. of Daniel and Elizabeth 
(Knowlton) Stearns of Brattleborough, Vt. They resided 
in this town until 1864. In the infirmities of age they found 
a pleasant home with their children. He d. in Whitins- 
ville Dec. 11, 1875. Mrs. Gibbs resides with her eldest 



718 



HISTORY OF ASHBUKNHAM. 



30 

31 

32 
33 

34 



35 
36 

37 



son in Fitchburg. She is the oldest member of the Con- 
gregational church, having been admitted to membership 
May 7, 1826. 

I. Joseph, b. April 28, 1825 ; md. Sept. 30, 1849, 
Martha A. Dunn, dau. of John and Martha 
Dunn of Phillipston. He is a merchant tailor in 
Fitchburg. 

1. Flora v., b. Feb. 2S, 1851; md. March 
19, 1873, Frank L. Danforth ; they re- 
side in Chicago, 111. 

II. Charles Stearns, b. April 10, 1827 ; d. unmd. 
April 29, 1856. 

III. Henry A., b. April 8, 1831; md. Sept. 30, 1858, 

Eliza A. Blodgett, dau. of James Blodgett, g. v. 
He is superintendent of streets in Woonsocket, 
R.I. 

IV. George L., b. Feb. 20, 1837. He has resided in 

Whitinsville since 1854, with the exception of 
one year in Fitchburg, where he was engaged in 
the clothing trade. He is a successful merchant, 
and in local and public affairs has manifested a 
lively interest. He was a member of the 
Legislature 1869, a member of the Republican 
State Committee 1881 and 1884, and an alternate 
delegate to the National Republican Convention 
1884. He md. Helen Louisa Whiting, dau. of 
Charles P. and Sarah J. (Halliday) Whiting. 
She d. May 9, 1885. 

1. George Melville. 

V. Ellen 3L, b. July 27, 1839; md. Aug. 10, 1864, 

William H. Hurd, b. Oct. 8, 1834, son of John 
and Sophia (Hitchcock) Hurd of Montague. 
Thev reside in Keene, N. H. 

VI. Harriet C, b. Feb. 2, 1842 ; d. July 17, 1843. 



Thomas Gibson removed to the southeast part of this 
town about 1783. The name of his wife was Relief, but 
no record of the marriage has been found. An account 
of his service in the Revolution appears in Chap. VI. 
He d. June 11, 1841 ; his widow d. Oct. 20, 1849. 

I. Thomas, b. July 4, 1784; md. 1808, Hannah 
Cutter, b. July 29, 1790, dau. of Ammi and 
Hannah (Holden) Cutter of Cambridge. He 
removed to Ashby, where their nine children 



9 
10 



geKealogiCxVL register. 71^ 

were b. Amoug these is Jerome S. Gibson who 
is number 12 of this register. 
II. Relief, b. May 29, 1789. 

III. Lucinda, b. March 25, 1790; md. 1810, Bezaleel 

Gibson. 

IV. Betsey, b. Sept. 22, 1791. 

V. John, b. Feb. 12, 1796; md. 1820, Rebecca 

Munroe, dau. of Lieut. Ebenezer Munroe, q. v. 
VI. Porter, b. Sept. 20, 1798. 

VII. Sophia, b. April 6, 1800 ; md. John Munroe, sort 

of Lieut. Ebenezer Munroe, q. v. 

VIII. Hosea B., b. Aug. 21, 1802. 



11 

12 

13 
14 



Eber Gibson, son of Stephen and Eliza (Maynard) 
Gibson of Ashb}', was b. Nov. 14, 1810. He is a 
grandson of Nehemiah Maynard, an early resident of this 
town. He md. Dec. 1, 1836, Sylvia Rice, dau. of Levi 
Rice, q. v., and has remained in this town. Two 
children d. young. 

I. Elizabeth Ann, b. Aug. 9, 1842 ; md. Nov. 27, 
1858, Fred M. Stanley. 

Jerome S. Gibson, b. Oct. 24, 1822, in Ashby, md. 
April 10, 1845, Abigail D. Sawyer, dau. of Abel Sawyer; 
resided in this town many years and recently removed to 
Ashby. His wife d. 1886. 

I. Elwyn Deloss, b. July 19, 1850 ; md. Feb. 7, 1877, 

Celia V. Marble, dau. of Newell Marble, q. v. 
II. Lillian Ardelle, b. June 24, 1854 ; md. Charles S. 
Marble, son of Newell Marble, q. v. 



"William Gipson, b. in Lunenburg, md. Dolly Hawks 
and resided in Rindge and in this town. He was killed 
by a falling tree July 18, 1839, aged about 50 years. 
The records name three and it is certain there were other 
children. 

I. 3fary IL, md. 1840, Amos D. Brooks. 
II. Irene, rad. 1842, George Atkinson. 
III. Caroline P., md. 1846, James C. Peabody. 

Henry Gipson, a brother of William Gipson, b. in 
Lunenburg Oct. 18, 1793, md. 1811, Dolly R. Samson, 
dau. of Jonathan Samson, Jr. He resided a few years in 
Rindge, returning to this town in 1827. He d. March 10, 
1861 ; she d. Dec. 18, 1873. 



720 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



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14 



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16 
17 

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20 



I. Susan Samson, b. March 1, 1812. 
II. Henry, b. Nov. 16, 1813; md. 1836, Mary L. 
PeiT}', dau. of Obadiah and Lavinia (Piper) 
Perry of Littleton ; he d. about 1865 ; she md. 
(2d) Charles Taylor, son of Samuel and Persis 
(Jones) Taylor of New Ipswich. 

III. Dolly Bosina, b. Oct. 20, 1815. 

IV. Merrick, b. Sept. 14, 1817; md. Jan. 20, 1842, 

Roxanna Townsend ; lives in Ashby. 
V. Sarah Elizabeth, b. Oct. 23, 1823. 
VI. Mary Abigail, b. Sept. 8, 1825 ; md. Nov. 23, 
1842, Silas W. Winchester, son of Jona. Win- 
chester, Jr. 
VII. Mdia Ann, b. Sept. 29, 1827. 
viii. Jane, b. June 24, 1832. 
IX. Charles, b. March 12, 1834 ; md. Jan. 18, 1857, 
Sarah M. Jackman of Antrim, N. H. He is an 
invalid ; resides in northeast part of the town. 

1. Charles Eugene, b. Oct. 18, 1857. 

2. Merrick Oswell, b. Feb. 14, 1859. 

3. James Jackman, b. Sept. 22, 1860. 

4. Oren R., b. March 2, 1863. 

5. Willie E., b. Dec. 22, 1864. 

6. Mary Ella, b. Nov. 7, 1866. 



Dea. John C. Glazier, b. in Gardner Sept. 7, 1798, 
was a son of Dea. Lewis and Betsey (Coolidge) Glazier 
and a grandson of John and Sarah (Temple) Glazier of 
Shrewsbury and Gardner. He md. Sophia Bancroft, b. 
Jan. 19, 1800, dau. of Jonathan and Betsey (Parker) 
Bancroft of Gardner. In 1824 he removed to South 
Ashburnham and for many years he was actively engaged 
in the manufacture of chairs. He was a deacon of the 
Congregational church from 1836 to 1857, when he 
resigned and united with the Methodists. He was a 
selectman and in 1846 he represented the town in the 
Legislature. He d. Dec. 21, 1860. 

I. Jonathan B., b. Nov. 9, 1823 ; d. Dec. 16, 1823. 
II. Betsey Coolidge, b. June 16, 1825 ; md. Edward S. 
Flint, q. v. 

III. Harvey Bancroft, b. Dec. 3, 1828 ; d. July 13, 1832. 

IV. Letvis^, b. Nov. 23, 1833 ; md. 1855, Elizabeth J. 

Lawrence, b. 1834, dau. of Ithamar Lawrence 
of Jaffrey, N. H. He d. in this town Nov. 15, 
1863. 
V. Lucy Ann, b. Feb. 12, 1844; md. Alva S. Howe, 
sou of Perley Howe, q. v. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



721 



Petek Goodale, b. Dec. 12, 1751, was a son of Edward 
Goodale of Shrewsbury, grandson of Benjamin Goodale. 
of Marlboro' and great-grandson of John Goodale of 
Marlboro'. He md. in Shrewsbury, March 9, 1775, 
Abigail Hinds, b. Jul}' 14, 1752, dau. of Benjamin and 
Elizabeth (Temple) Hinds of Shrewsbury. He removed 
from Shrewsbury to Ashburnham in 1776 and settled in 
the southwest part of the town. "When Gardner was in- 
corpoi'ated, his farm was included and the new town ac- 
quired a good citizen. He was selected to warn the first 
town meeting in Gardner, and was subsequently treasurer 
and selectman. He was a liberal contributor of material 
for the first meeting-house in the new town. He removed 
to Boylston, 1791. 

I. Elizabeth, b. in Shrewsbury Dec. 23, 1775. 
II. Benjamin, b. in Ashburnham Sept. 5, 1778. 

III. Jason, b. in Ashburnham Dec. 7, 1780. 

IV. Peter, b. in Ashburnham May 3, 1783. 
V. Asa2)h, b. in Gardner May 13, 1787. 

VI. Junia, b. in Gardner April 17, 1789. 



Matthew E. Goodwin, b. in Shoreham, Vt., March 25, 
1813, has resided in this town about fifty years. He md. 
May 4, 1836, Mary Burgess, dau. of Joseph F. Burgess, 
q. V. He is a carpenter at the South Village. 

I. Lois Irene, b. Aug. 7, 1838 ; md. Charles Henry 

Puffer, (J. V. 
II. Jonathan Edward, b. July 12, 1840 ; md. Jane 
Foster ; md. (2d) Mary (Derby) Flint, widow ; 
resides in Gardner. 

III. Jesse Washburn, b. Feb. 9, 1843 ; md. Nina 

Parsons ; resided in Camden, N. Y., until 1886, 
when he removed to this town. 

IV. Matthew Birchard, b. Nov. 28, 1845 ; md. Flor- 

ence Ritchie. He is a chair maker at South 

Village. 
V. Juliette, b. Sept. 13, 1848 ; md. March 7, 1864, 

Chester Burbee ; they reside at South Village. 
VI. Willie Charles, b. March 4, 1854; drowned May 

10, 1864. 
VII. Alice Jane, b. July 21, 1858 ; md. June 26, 1876, 

Burnard Duane, manufacturer at South Village. 



GREEN. 

Simeon Green, son of "William and Hannah (Holden) Green, was b. in 
Groton Sept. 15, 1729; he md. in Pepperell, Sept. 13, 1753, Mary Shattuck, 
b. Sept. 22, 1730, dau. of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Chamberlain) Shattuck 

46 



722 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



of Groton. The,v resided some years in Pepperell, and about 1777 re- 
moved to Jaffrey, N. H., and about 1791 removed to Townsend. He d. Sept. 
K), 1813, aged Si. Mary, his wife, d. June 27, 1810, aged nearly 80. Solo- 
mon Green, their son, removed to Jatfrey with his parents. He md. 1786, 
Sarah Hilton of Lunenburg, and removed to Townsend about 1791, M'here 
he d. May 31, 1803, aged 39; she d. Sept. 2, 1850, aged 82 years. The 
seventh of their nine children was Rebecca Green, b. March 5, 1801; md. 
Sept. 26, 1830, Andrew Shattuck of Pepperell, son of Abijah Shattuck. They 
resided in Shirley and Townsend. He d. Oct. 5, 1844, aged 42; she md. 
(2d) Walter Russell, q. v. ; md. (3d) Hosea Green, q. v. Rinaldo H. Shat- 
tuck, who d. in the army May 8, 18G3, was a son of Andrew and Rebecca 
(Green) Shattuck. He was b. in Shirley March 18, 1838. 



10 



(10) 



11 



Oliver Green, son of Simeon and Mary (Shattuck) 
G-reen, was b. in Pepperell March 28, 1754. He md. 
July 13, 1780, Dorothy Ilildreth, b. Feb. 5, 1757, and 
they removed in 1782 to Ashb^^, where they resided seven- 
teen years. Living one year, 1799, in Westford, they 
removed in 1800 to this town, where he d. May 15, 1834 ; 
his widow d. Feb. 20, 1845. 



Oliver, b. July 4, 1781 ; a clergyman and teacher ; 

d. Oct. 24, 1810. Vide page 494. 
Dolly, b. Dec, 10, 1782 ; md. Oliver Marble, q. v. 
3Iary, b. April 9, 1785 ; md. John Caldwell, q. v. 
Anner,h. Feb. 10, 1787; md. Samuel Randall, 

q. V. 
A.m, b. Feb, 11, 1789; a physician; d. in New 

York City, 1839. Vide page 497. 
Betsey, b. Jan. 25, 1791 ; d. May 20, 1793. 
Sally, b. Dec. 9, 1792; md. John Hastings, q. v. 
liebecca, h. June 15, 1795; md. June 26, 1817, 

Joseph F. Cushman ; resided at Rutland, Vt., 

and in Michigan. She d. June 2, 1865 ; he d. 

1868. Ten children. 
Hosea, b. Sept. 22, 1797. -f- 



3 


II. 


4 


III. 


5 


IV. 


6 


V. 


7 


VI. 


8 


VII. 


9 


VIII. 



HosEA Green, at this date, 1886, is the most aged man 
in Ashburnham. Quiet in his manner, refined in thought, 
kind to his fellow-men, his life is blameless and crowned 
with the fruits of good works and faithful stewardship. 
He md. May 22, 1821, Asenath Sawin, dau. of Asa Sawin, 
q. V. She d. March 10, 1843 ; he md. (2d) Nov. 16, 
1843, Susan (Bemis) Merriam, widow of James Merriam, 
q.v. ; she d. Nov. 10, 1857; he md. (3d) Feb. 15, 1858, 
Rebecca (Green) Russell, dau. of Solomon Green. Eight 
children by first, and two by second marriage. 

I. Daughter, b. Jan. 22, 1822 ; d. same day. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



723 



12 
13 

14 

15 

16 



17 



18 
19 

20 



II. Rosea Hildreth, b. Dec. 26, 1824; d. Aug. 13, 
1843. 

III. Oliver Marshall, b. Jan. 8, 1827 ; md. Nov. 15, 

1854, Lj'dia A. Green of Ashby ; reside in 
North Chelmsford. 

IV. Rebecca ChisJiman, b. June 29, 1831 ; md. May 23, 

1855, Francis Fuller of Newton ; reside in 
Dorchester. 

V. Harlan Pliinney. b. March 1, 1836 ; md. Dec. 30, 

1860, Eliza J. Osgood ; a merchant in Townsend. 

VI. Anner Randall, b. April 5, 1838 ; md. May 8, 

1859, Rev. William H. Dowden, b. in Fair- 
haven, Jan. 15, 1836, son of Thomas and Eunice 
(Simons) Dowden, graduate of Andover Theo. 
Seminary, 1866. Congregational clergyman, 
having had charges in Pelham. Carlisle, Lunen- 
burg. East Jaffrey, N. H., Hanover, Easton and 
now, 1886, Rowley. 

VII. Sarah Asenath, b. June 24, 1840 ; md. Aug. 30, 

1860, Alson L. Marshall of Fitchburg ; resides 
in Wakefield. 

VIII. Susan Elsie, b. March 5, 1843 ; d. Jan. 10, 1846. 
IX. Susan A., b. Sept. 29, 1845; md. William H. 

White of Shirley. 
X. Hattie E., b. Aug. 22, 1848; d. April 24, 1849. 



GREENWOOD. 

Abi.iah Greenwood, b. 1748, a son of Joseph Greenwood of Ilolden, 
removed to Hubbardston about 1770. He enlisted in 1775 and served in the 
siege of Boston. He md. July 14, 1774, Rhoda Pond, b. Oct. 12, 1753, dau. 
of Ezra and Sarah (Morse) Pond of Hubbardston and a granddau. of Ezra 
Pond of Wrentham; she d. June IG, 1782. Two of her three children 
survived her. Abijah Greenwood md. (2d) Oct. 3, 1783, Elizabeth Marean 
who d. Feb. 15, 1814; he d. .Lan. 9, 1814. 

Otis Greenwood, son of Abijah and Rhoda (Pond) Greenwood, was b. in 
Hubbardston Dec. 4, 1781. He md. Nov. 27, 180(5, Sophia Rice, b. in 
Hubbardston 1785, dau. of Edmund and Abigail (Muzzy) Rice. He d. Oct. 
6, 1814; his widow d. May 7, 1816. 



Edmund R. Greenwood, son of Otis and Sophia (Rice) 
Greenwood, was b. in Hubbardston Dec. 1, 1807, and was 
left an orphan at an early age. He md. Sept. 4, 1828, 
Susan H. Slocomb, b. in lioston Sept. 9, 1808, dau. of 
Peleg and Polly (Phelps) Slocomb. He was engaged in 
the manufacture of chairs in Hubbardston until 1851, 
when he removed to this town. He d. Jan. 12, 1882. 



I. Otis, b. March 4, 1829 ; 
where he d. July, 1863. 
II. John Q., b. Sept. 28, 1830; md. Sept 



resided in California, 
28, 1852, 



724 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



6 


V. 


7 


VI 


8 


VII 


9 


VIII 



IV. 



Ellen M. Joslin, clan, of Levi and Dorcas 
(Wright) Joslin; resided in this town, where 
he d. Oct. 17, 1858. 

Mary S., b. Dec. 20, 1833; md. Col. George H. 
Barrett, q. v. 

Theodore^ b. July 27, 1835 ; md. April 5, 1860, 
Ellen M. (Joslin) Greenwood, widow of his 
brother, John Q. Greenwood. He served in the 
Civil War and continues a residence in this 
town. He has been an assessor several years. 

Edmund, b. Dec. 18, 1837 ; resides in Memphis, 
Tenn. 

Ahhy S., b. April 14, 1840; d. April 12, 1841. 

James B., b. Sept. 10, 1842 ; d. Feb. 10, 1846. 

Moses P., b. Dec. 21, 1845; md. June 18, 1868, 
Georgie S. Whitney, dau. of Hon. Ohio AVhitney, 
g. V. He is a merchant in this town. From 
1881 to 1886 he was of the firm of Adams and 
Greenwood, and now is proprietor of the 
business in the Brick Store. 



Apollos Griswold, son of Apollos and Prudence 
(Crapoe) Griswold, was b. in Savo}' ]\Iarch 17, 1812. 
He md. April 23, 1839, Arvilla Wetherbee, dau. of Joseph 
and Nancy (Conant) Wetherbee of Rindge, and resided in 
Eindge until 1865. when he removed to tbe Willard farm 
in the north part of the town. They have one adopted son. 

I. JoJm TF., b. Aug. 1, 1858; md. Aug. 23, 1883, 
Jennie L. Ellis, dau. of Daniels Ellis, q. v. He 
is a farmer; resides on the Charles Davis farm, 
near North Village. 

Peeks Gross, b. May 24, 1766; md. in Scituate Jan. 
7, 1799, Sarah L. Whitney. They resided a few j'ears in 
Hanover and came to this town 1816. He bought at this 
time the Brooks mill and a farm connected with the 
propert}', which still remain in the possession of the 
family. He d. Sept. 7, 1835. 

I. Elijah, b. July 8, 1806. + 

II. Sarah L., b. Feb. 23, 1808; md. June 10, 1830, 
Levi Corey, q. v. 
Eveline, b. March 20, 1810 ; md. Sept. 16, 1832, 
Moses H. Ross. They removed to Sterling. 
Eight children. 
James 3f..h. June 26, 1816 ; md. Oct. 28, 1840, 
Sarah W. Stowers. He resided in Chelsea, 
where he d. Oct. 5, 1883. 



III. 



IV. 



<2) 



9 
10 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 725 

Alexander P., b. Jan. 18, 1818. He was a mill- 
wright ; he mcl. Lucretia Waldbriclge and re- 
moved to California. He d. in San Francisco 
Aug. 4, 1883. 



Elijah Gross md. June 6, 1833, Mercy Smith, dau. of 
Charles and Polly (Burgess) Smith of Westminster and 
a granddau. of Ebenezer Burgess, q. v. He is a farmer 
and a miller, doing business with his son under firm name 
of E. Gross & Son. 

I. Harrison E., b. Oct. 13, 1834 ; d. same day. 
II. Eveline Avgusla^ b. Dec. 18, 1838; d. April 21, 
1845. 

III. Sarah Wiitney, b. Aug. 31, 1840; resides at 

home unmd. 

IV. Andrew Porter, b. Feb. 11, 1843; of the firm E. 

Gross & Son. 



Gamaliel Hadley, son of Jerold Hadley, was b. in 
Woburn June 5, 1797. He came to Ashburnham 1819 
and subsequently occupied several farms. In 1846 he 
removed to Rindge and later to Michigan. Returning to 
Ashburnham he occupied the farm now of his son George 
G. Hadley until his death. He md. Nov. 8, 1819, Martha 
F. Knight, b. Sept. 21, 1801, dau. of John and Martha 
Knight of AVoburn. He d. Oct. 20, 1882 ; his widow d. 
Oct. 26, 1885. 

I. Martha, b. April 28, 1821 ; md. Leonard Lawrence, 

q. V. ; md. (2d) Charles Lawrence, q. v. 
II. Eosilla, b. Sept. 12, 1823 ; d. July 3, 1824. 

III. John, b. May 10, 1825 ; was engaged several years 
in Rindge in the manufacture of lumber and 
wood ware. For several years he has resided in 
this town. He md. Nov. 16, 1857, Lydia E. 
Richardson of Westminster, who d. Aug. 29, 
1863; md. (2d) 1865, Susan (Kidder) Sawin, 
widow of John Sawin, q. v. 

IV. Harriet, b. Sept. 5, 1827 ; md. Ai Stone, b. in 
Gardner Aug. 25, 1817, son of Samuel and 
Lucy (Wheeler) Stone. They resided in Ashby, 
Winchendon and Gardner. She d. in (Jardner 
July 13, 1862. 

V. Sarah, b. :March 18, 1830; md. Uriah Lawrence, 
q. V. 

VI. George Gamaliel, b. June 3, 1832; md. Aug. 15, 
1876, Mary E. Estey, b. March 12, 1861. He 



726 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



9 
10 

11 



12 
13 



14 

15 
16 
17 

18 



19 



resides a farmer on the homestead, and where 
Jeremiah Foster settled when he came to the 
wilderness. Three children. 

VII. Henry, b. Oct. 28, 1835 ; md. Elmira Bancroft, 

dau. of Dea. Smyrna W. Bancroft of Gardner; 
resides in Gardner. 

VIII. Rebecca, b. Dec. 27, 1837; d. Jan. 8, 1841. 
IX. Hosea, b. Sept. 29, 1845 ; d. Oct. 2, 1845. 

David Hadley, a brother of Gamaliel, was b. in 
Woburn Feb. 6, 1800. He md. 1827, Abigail Bruce of 
Westminster. She was b. Oct. 10, 1810, and d. March 
22, 1873. He was a farmer on the farm now of his son 
Merrick Hadle}-. He d. Sept. 7, 1857. 

I. Charles B., b. March 1, 1829 ; d. March 16, 1829. 
II. 3Ierrick,h. Oct. 27, 1830; md. April 20, 1861, 
Lucy E. (Harris) Ballou, b. Feb. 16, 1829.. 
He is a farmer in Lane Village. 

1. Frank A., b. Sept. 19, 1864 (adopted). 

III. Sumner D., b. Feb; 6, 1833 ; d. May 23, 1857. 

IV. Augusta xi., b. Aug. 17, 1835 ; d. July 12, 1853. 

V. Louisa Jane, b. Jan. 15, 1838 ; md. Edwin Scollay, 

son of Grover Scollay, q. v. 

VI. Arvilla A., b. July 6, 1840; md. James Bullard 

of Berlin ; resides in Worcester. 

William Hadley, son of William and Abigail (Babcock) 
Hadley, b. in Westminster, Vt., Feb. 17, 1836, removed 
to this town 1862. He md. Oct. 13, 1863, Victoria 
Adalaide Russell, b. Oct. 3, 1842, dau. of Daniel and 
Amy (Whittaker) Russell. Daniel Russell d. in this 
town Feb. 12, 1883. Mr. Hadley is a mechanic residing 
in Central Villaoe. No children. 



Henry Hall was b. in Germany 1711. He md. in his 
native land Anna Maiy Saunders, and came to Ameiica 
about 1750. The name was then written Hole, but it soon 
was changed to Hall. He was one of the seven German 
emigrants who purchased in Dec, 1757, the Lexington 
grant. This tract of land containing one thousand acres 
was subsequently known as the Dutch Farm. In the dis- 
tribution of the land Henry Hall came into possession of 
two parcels. He settled on a corner lot more recently 
owned by Capt. Lemuel Whitney. He was an intelligent 
man and a good citizen, and his wife was an accomplished 
lady. 



(3) 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 727 

The births of the children were not recorded and possibly 
the register is not complete. He d. Oct. 14, 1794, aged 
83. Mary, his widow, d. Jan. 27, 1802, aged 76. 

I. 3fary, b. ; md. April 27, 1772, Jedediah 

Cooper. They lived over the line in Westminster 
bnt attended church in this town and maintained 
social relations with the families of Ashburnbam. 
It is tradition that this dau. of the emigrant 
was b. on the ocean. The younger children 
wereb. in Boston. He d. 1832; she d. 1839. 
Six children. 

II. John, b. Aug. 18, 1753.-}- 

III. Henry, b. 1754.-|- 

IV. Katherine, b. ; md. Jan. 8, 1778, Elijah 

Mclntire. 



7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 



13 



14 



John Hall md. Nov. 25, 1790, Betsey Bennett, dau. 
of James and Hannah Bennett, q. v. He resided on a 
farm near the residence of Nathan and Oliver Taylor. 
He d. Aug. 4, 1834; she d. in Ashby July 29, 1839. 
There were seven children. 

I. John, b. Aug. 20, 1791 ; md. Oct. 26, 1817, Lois 

Marble, dau. of Oliver Marble, q. v. He resided 
a few years in Berkshire, Vt., and in 1825 
returned to this town, residing on the farm 
formerly of his father. About 1840 he removed 
to Wisconsin. He md. (2d) Abigail A. Shep- 
herd who was the mother of his five children. 

1. AmosS.,b. Jan. 24, 1823. 

2. Otis, b. Jan. 2, 1825. 

3. Eliza, b. March 7, 1826. 

4. John, b. Sept. 19, 1827. 

5. Betsey Ellen, b. Oct. 30, 1831. 

II. Elizabeth, b. June 14, 1793 ; md. Jan. 8, 1815, 
Noah Goen of New Ipswich. She d., leaving a 
daughter, Dec. 6, 1815. 

1. Elizabeth, b. Dec. 1, 1815; md. Dec. 10, 
1839, David Hill; resided in Lowell, 
where he d. March 17, 1867. Then- 
daughter, Anna Elizabeth Hill, b. Sept. 
12, 1843, md. Jan. 3. 1870, George 
Frederick Smith. They had two sons : 
George Robert, b. Oct. 10, 1845, and 
Edward Francis, b. Oct. 2, 1855. 
III. Nancy, b. March 5, 1795; md. Nov. 28, 1813, 



728 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



15 
16 



17 
18 
19 

20 

(4) 
21 



Joseph Fletcher of New Ipswich. They resided 
in Euosburg, Vt. She d. at the home of her 
youngest dau. iu Keene, N. H., April 10, 1875. 



1. Nancy, b. 1815 ; md. Rev. Silas S. Hyde. 

2. Almira, b. Feb. 16, 1820; md. Nov. 27, 

1845, Charles B. Jaquith. They resided 
in this town until 1872 when they re- 
moved to Keene, N. H. They have one 
son, Ossian Jaquith. 
IV. Henri/, b. Jan. 30, 1797; md. Abigail Crampton, 

and resided in Berkshire, Vt. 
V. James, b. Aug. 15, 1798; md. Mary Barton of 
Berkshire, Vt. ; subsequently^ lived in New York. 
VI. Quincy, b. May 16, 1800; md. Almira Rublee ; 

resided in Wisconsin. Several children. 
VII. Almira, b. Oct. 30, 1803 ; md. Sept. 26, 1850, 
Samuel Stearns of Rindge ; d. 1877. 



Henry Hall, son of Henry, md. Nov. 11, 1784, Betsey 
Hall of Ashby. He was a farmer residing on the farm 
of his father. He d. Feb. 10. 1822 ; his widow d. Oct., 
1829. They had one child. 

I. Elizabeth, b. Feb. 6, 1788 ; md. Dec. 4, 1804, 
Capt. Lemuel Whitney, q. v. 



John Hammond, who had formerly been a ship carpen- 
ter, after a brief residence in Fitchburg removed to this 
town in 1844. He resided at Factory Village. In 1870 
he went West to live with his children who had previously 
removed from town. The name of his wife was Sarah. 
No record of the family has been furnished and a number 
of letters remained unanswered. All the information 
gleaned from the records is included in the following 
register. 



I. 

II. 

III. 



IV. 

V. 

VI. 

VII. 



John, b. 1834 ; removed to Michigan. 

Sarah, b. 1836 ; d. June 20, 1855. 

George //., b. about 1838 ; removed to Detroit, 
INlich. ; was largely interested in the meat 
business and in the export trade. He was a 
prominent owner of the Refrigerator Car and 
the first to use them in the shipment of dressed 
meat. He d. in Detroit Jan. 6, 1887. 

Belief, b. 



Martha, b. 

Thomas, b. 

Walter, b. 1846 



; md. 1866, Helen 
d. Feb. 5, 1847. 



E. Potter. 



10 

11 

12 
13 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 729 

VIII. Freclericl-j b. July 31, 1848 ; was in the service in 
the Civil War on the quota of this town. 
IX. Albert, b. Sept. 26, 1850; d. at Miaraa, Mo., 
Sept. 9, 1873. 

X. Henry, b. . 

XI. Juliette, b. Dec. 25, 1852. 
xii. Herbert, b. 1854; d. Aug. 6, 1855. 



Nathan Handley, b. in Acton Jan. 28, 1795, removed 
to Ashburnham 1825, where he resided until his death 
March 31, 1858. He md. Abigail Wilker, dau. of George 
Wilker, q. v. ; she d. Jan. 24, 1871. 

I. SaraJi W., b. April 8, 1827; md. Dec. 16, 1849, 
George C. Winchester, q. v. 

II. George W., b. March 26, 1828 ; md. Clarissa M. 
Green, dau. of P^merson and Clarissa (Wright) 
Green. The}' reside in Ashby. He is post- 
master. 

III. Martha A., b. Feb. 28, 1830 ; unmd. ; resides with 
her sister in Ashburnham. 



Patrick Hare, b. 1776 in the county of Down, Ireland, 
md. Mary Daley, b. 1788; came to America 1843, and 
to Ashburnham 1856. He d. Nov. 2, 1864 ; she d. Aug. 
3, 1871. 

I. Elizabeth, b. 1816; md. Michael Cuddy; d. in 

Manchester, N. H., 1874. 
II. Bosena, b. ; md. John Fiuan, q. v. 

III. John, b. 1826 ; md. Joanna Collins ; enlisted in 

the autumn of 1861 in 32d Regiment and d. 
at Ship Island, Miss., March 8, 1862. 

IV. Maria^ b. 1836 ; md. 1853, James Holden, b. in 

Ireland 1830. He is a farmer ; resided in 
this town since 1874; seven of their eleven 
children are living. 

V. Ann, b. 1838; md. William M. Young. 

VI. James P., b. April 25, 1842 ; md. Oct. 10, 1864, 
Mary F. Nash, b. July 7, 1841, dau. of John 
and Margaret Nash ; resides in Ashburnham. 
Seven children. 



Daniel Hakper was a roving planet whose familiar 
name is found in the records of many towns in this vicin- 
ity. Perhaps his occupation controlled his frec^uent re- 
movals. There were steelyard makers in the olden times 
who sought new fields whenever the demands of their 



730 



HISTORY OF ASIIBURNHAM. 



immediate vicinity had been supplied. It is possitJle he 
was a harper and travelled from town to town. He md. 
in Lunenburg Nov. 23, 1758, Rachel Coleman, dau. of 
James Coleman, q. v., and the following year he was in 
Dorchester Canada. In 1765 he removed to Rindge and 
his family arrived there the next spring. Subsequently 
he lived in many places. AVhere death overtook him in 
his sudden movements has not appeared. 



I. 
II. 

III. 

IV. 

V. 

VI. 



Eachel, b. in Ashbnrnham April 1, 1761. 
James Coleman, b. in Ashburnham March 

1762. 
Daniel, b. in Shirley March 10, 1766. 
Mary, b. in Littleton Feb. 27, 1770. 
Aaron, b. in Littleton Jan. 29, 1772. 
EzeTciel, b. in Shirley Feb. 8, 1778. 



10, 



HARRIS. 

There are several families of Harris in New England that can establish no 
ties of kinship. The number of emigrants to this country previous to 1640 
bearing the name of Harris was eight or more. Some of these probably 
were relatives, yet there is ample evidence that there were several distinct 
families sharing nothing in common except the name. Dea. Jacob Harris, 
the first of the name in this town, was a descendant of the fourth generation 
from Thomas Harris, one of the early settlers of Ipswich. He was in Ips- 
wich as early as 1630, and in 1643 he was one of a company of twenty who 
marched against the Indians. He md. Nov. 15, 1647, Martha Lake, dau. of 
.John and Margaret (Read) Lake. He d. Aug. 2, 1687. Sergeant John 
Harris, son of Thomas, b. Jan. 7, 1653, md. Jan. 8, 1686, Grace Searle, 
dau. of William Searle of Ipswich, and resided in Ipswich where he d. Nov. 
21, 1732; his widow d. June 10, 1742. Of their seven children the youngest 
was Richard Harris, b. Nov. 13, 1705. He md. 1735, Martha Foster, b. Dec. 
16, 1710, dau. of Jacob and Martha (Graves) Foster of Ipswich. In 1743 
Richard Harris and Jeremiah Foster jointly purchased 112 acres of land situ- 
ated in Stow and the same year both of them with their families removed to 
Harvard. The wife of Richard Harris was a first cousin of Jeremiah Foster. 
Not many years later this Jeremiah Foster and a son of Richard Harris are 
found residing in Ashburnham. Martha, wife of Richard Harris, d. in Har- 
vard Sept. 8, 1756 ; he md. (2d) Phebe (Wright) Atherton, widow of John 
Atherton. He d. Dec. 20, 1776. Three of the children of Richard Harris, 
Dea. Jacob, Nathaniel and Rebecca (Harris) Scollay, were residents of Ash- 
burnham. 



Dea. Jacob Harris, son of Richard and Martha (Foster) 
Harris, was b. in Ipswich Feb. 15, 1740-1. In 1743 the 
family removed to Harvard and he came to Ashburnhnm 
in 1767. Among his townsmen he was held in high esteem 
and was frequently chosen to positions of trust. He was 
selectman 1781 and an assessor fifteen years, serving in 
this capacity nearly every 3'ear from 1779 to 1798. He 
was a deacon of the Congregational church from 1788 
until his death. He settled about one mile northerly from 



13 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 731 

the old common. The house he built and occupied re- 
mains with slight change. His successor, so far as the 
house is concerned, was Towusend Barrett. Dea. Harris 
md. Oct. 26, 1769, Elizabeth Winchester, dau. of Eev. 
Jonathan Winchester, q. v. She d. June 21, 1782 ; he 
md. (2d) Aug. 21, 1783, Anna (Merriam) Warren, b. 
Oct. 10, 1753, dau. of Samuel and Anna (Whitney) Mer- 
riam of Lexington, and widow of Samuel Warreu of Ash- 
burnham, q. v. She d. Sept. 15, 1790 ; he md. (3d) Oct. 
11, 1792, Ruth (Poole) Pratt, b. May 27, 1754, dau. of 
James and Elizabeth Poole of Fitchburg, and widow of 
Edward Pratt of New Ipswich. She d. Nov. 11, 1817. 
In 1826 Dea. Harris removed with his son Jacob, Jr., to 
AVindham, N. II., where a few months later he d. Sept. 
26, 1826. 

I. Betsey, b. Sept 25, 1772; md. Feb. 13, 1798, 
Jonathan Merriam, b. Feb. 16, 1766, son of 
Samuel and Anna (Whitney) Merriam of Lex- 
ington and a brother of the second wife of her 
father. They resided in Gardner, where he d. 
Jan. 13, 1825. Subsequently she resided in 
this town and in Fitchburg, where she d. May 
30, 1865. 

1. Jacob Harris, b. Jan. 22, 1799 ; graduated 

Bangor Theo. Seminary 1827 ; not or- 
dained ; resided in Fitchburg ; md. Nov. 
27, 1834, Abigail L. Wheeler. 

2. Nathan, b. Aug. 7, 1800; d. Sept. 19, 

1805. 

3. Betsev AY., b. Aug. 7, 1802; d. Sept. 16, 

1805. 

4. Sally H., b. May 16, 1808; d. Dec. 2, 

1.S24. 

5. Milton, b. June 20, 1810; d. Jan. 19, 

1825. 

6. Betsey, b. Nov. 17, 1813 ; md. her cousin 

John M. Harris, number 23 of this reg- 
ister. 

Samuel, b. Aug. 18, 1774.-[- 

Jacob, b. April 3, 1777 ; d. Oct. 5, 1778. 

Solly, b. Oct. 20, 1779 ; d. unmd. Oct. 11, 1820. 

Martha, b. June 10, 1784; md. Aug. 8, 1808, 
Joshua Moore of AYeslminster where he d. JMay 
17, 1848 ; she d. in Gardner Nov. 11, 1863. 

1. Emily, b. March 18, 1810 ; d. uumd. Nov. 

8, 1881. 



9 


II. 


10 


III. 


11 


IV. 


12 


V. 



732 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



14 
15 



16 



17 



18 



<9) 



2. Marius H., b. May 24, 1814; md. Aug. 

26, 1847, Elizabeth Wood; resides in 
Leomiuster. 

3. Cordelia E., b. Aug. 21, 1823; md. Nov. 

8, 1849, Frauklin H. Sprague, Esq. ; 
resided in Boston and during the past 
twenty years in Framingham. He was 
a member of Legislature 1858, 18i73, 
1874. 

4. John Milton, b. July 22, 1827 ; md. Nov. 

29, 1854, Myra A. Sawin, dau. of Joseph 
D. and Marcia M. (Scribner) Sawin of 
Gardner. Hon. John M. Moore is a 
manufacturer of chairs in South Gard- 
ner. He has served in both branches of 
the Legislature, and for many years has 
been a member of the School Committee 
of Gardner. 

VI. Jacob, b. Nov. 14, 1786 ; was a farmer in Ashburn- 
ham and after 1826 in Windham, N. H. He 
was a respected citizen and occupied several 
positions of trust. He md. April 8, 1817, 
Sophia Smith, b. Oct. 24, 1787, dau. of Joshua 
Smith, Esq., r^. V. He d. Feb. 27, 1860; his 
widow d. April 23, 1869. No children. 

VII. Eunice, b. Jan. 28, 1790 ; d. in Windham, N. H., 
unmd., June 18, 1877. 



19 

20 
.21 



Rev. Samuel Harris resided in this town, except two 
or three years in Fitchburg, until about 1804. He was 
subsequently a Congregational minister in New Hamp- 
shire. Vide page 509. He md. April 17, 1798, Ruth 
Pratt, a daughter by a former marriage of the third wife 
of his father. She was b. in New Ipswich Aug. 29, 1779 ; 
d. in Windham, N. H., March 22, 1869. Rev. Samuel 
Harris d. in Windham, N. H., Sept. 5, 1848. Twelve 
children. 

I. Sally, b. Feb. 20, 1799 ; md. Oct. 19, 1852, Am- 
herst Coult, son of Dr. Amherst and Miriam 
(Giddings) Coult. He was a farmer in Auburn, 
N. H., where he d. A|)ril 12, 1884 ; she resides 
at the homestead. 
n. Mary IF., b. Nov. 3, 1800; d. unmd. Jan. 18, 
1839. 
HI. Edward P., b. Nov. 17, 1802 ; graduate Dartmouth 
College 1826. Principal of Academy, Brad- 



GENEALOGICAL KEGISTER. 733 

ford, Vt., and Chesterfield, N. II. Subse- 
quently practised law in Vermont and after 
1836 in Avon, Mich. In 1867 he was a mem- 
ber of State Constitutional Convention. He 
md. June 29, 1829, Eliza Wright, dau. of David 
Wright of Hartford, Vt. ; she d. Sept. 1, 1834. 
He d. March 19, 1868. They had one son, 
Hon. Edward Wright Pratt, formerly a law 
partner of U. S. Senator Omer D. Conger of 
Michigan, and subsequently a Judge of the 
Sixteenth Judicial District of Michigan ; resides 
at Port Huron. 

22 IV. Samuel^ b. Dec. 7, 1804 ; a printer in Boston with 
residence at Melrose. He md. Jan. 16, 1832, 
Mary Hall of Boston. He d. May 6, 1860. 
Seven children. 

23 V. John M., h. Oct. 18, 1806; a graduate Amherst 
College 1839; resided in Nashua, N. H., until 
1843, and subsequently he was a farmer in 
Fitchburg. He was a deacon of the Calvinistic 
Congregational church of Fitchburg. He md. 
June 10, 1841, Betsey Merriam, dau. of Jona- 
than and Betsey (Harris) Merriam, number 8 of 
this register. He d. July 26, 1877. Their son, 
Edward A., d. in Fitchburg Sept. 3, 1885, and 
their son Charles C. Harris, a reporter for The 
Sentinel, is well known in Fitchburg. 

24 VI. Jacob, b. Sept. 30, 1809 ; resided in Windham, N. 
IL, where he d. July 5, 1861. Hemd. June 10, 
1852, Ruflna Merrill, b. April 12, 1816, dau. of 
Amos and Mehitable (Smith) Merrill. One 
daughter. 

25 VII. Lydia K., b. Feb. 21, 1813; md. Dec. 17, 1835, 
Stephen Dearborn of Auburn, N. H. She d., 
s. p.,Aug. 18, 1852. 

26 VIII. William, b. March 19, 1815 ; d. Oct. 5, 1817. 

27 IX. Elizabeth, b. March 5, 1817 ; md. March 20, 1849, 
James Underhill, b. Feb. 20, 1822, son of James 
and Elizabeth (Chase) Underhill of Auburn, N. 
H. She d. Sept. 22, 1853, leaving one son, 
George C. Underhill, who resides in Unadilla, 
Neb. 

28 X. Luther, b. Sept. 11, 1820; d. unmd. in Marlboro', 
N. H., where he was teaching, Oct. 1, 1841. 

29 XI. William C, b. Dec. 14, 1822; resides on the 
homestead in Windham, N. H. ; a member of 
Legislature 1865, and has been much employed 
in town affairs. He md. June 23, 1853, Phileua 



734 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



30 



31 



52 



33 



34 



35 
36 
37 
38 
39 
40 



XII. 



H. Dinsmore, h. Oct. 3, 1831, dau. of Dea. 
Samuel and Hannah (Blanchard) Dinsmore of 
Auburn, N. H. Three children. Of these, 
William S. Harris has published an accurate and 
intelligent sketch of the descendants of Dea. 
Jacob Harris. 
Lucinda, b. June 10, 1824 ; d. April 27, 1825. 



Nathaniel Harris, son of Richard and Martha (Fos- 
ter) Harris, was b. in Harvard April 4, 1752, and came 
to Ashburnham previous to the Revolution. He was in 
the company of minute-men commanded by Capt. Jona- 
than Gates in 1775. Vide page 142. He settled on Main 
street in the Central Village, where Nahum AYood now 
resides, where he was a tanner and was succeeded by 
Capt. David Cushing and Levi Adams. In 1779 he was 
one of the Committee of Correspondence and at other 
times he was called to assist in town affairs. He removed 
in 1798 to Brandon, Vt., where he d. June 21, 1831. 
He md. March 12, 1778, Abigail Harris, b. in Shrews- 
bury July 1, 1756, dau. of Daniel and Jerusha Harris. 
When married she was styled "of Ashburnham," but I 
find no evidence that her parents ever resided in this town. 
She d. March 5, 1826. Eight of their nine children were 
b. and bap. in this town. 

I. Nathaniel, b. Dec. 20, 1778 ; he was a merchant in 
Williston, Vt. ; md. May 16, 1802, Sally Ives. 
He d. Nov. 6, 1830; she d. Jan. 13, 1826. 
One child. 
II. Eufus, b. Sept. 27, 1781 ; a farmer, merchant 
and postmaster in Bridport, Vt., where he d. 
March 30, 1827. He md. April 7, 1807, Mary 
Cloyes, b. in Framingham July 22, 1785, dau. 
of Peter and Polly (Nixon) Cloyes and a niece 
of Capt. Elijah Cloyes an early settler in Fitz- 
william, N. H. She d. Sept. 8, 1849. Four 
children. 

III. Richard, b. Nov. 8, 1783 ; a merchant in Brandon, 

Vt. He md. June 28, 1807, Hannah H. Good- 
now, dau. of Daniel Goodnow of Rutland. He 
d. Aug. 22, 1821 ; she d. Dec. 12, 1867. Five 
children. 

IV. Otis, b. Jan. 22, 1786 ; d. May 21, 1805. 
V. Nahhy, b. June 13, 1788 ; d. May 4, 1805. 

VI. Uicinda, b. Sept. 23, 1791 ; d. May 9, 1805. 
VII. Matilda, b. Feb. 8, 1795 ; d. May 2, 1805. 
VIII. Rebecca, b. Sept. 7, 1797 ; d. July 17, 1803. 
IX. Sarah B., b. Dec. 23, 1800 ; d. July 12, 1803. 



41 



42 
43 



44 
45 



(42) 



50 
51 

52 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 735 

William Harris, son of George Harris, was b. 17(53. 
It is traditiou that he was a son of George Harris of Con- 
cord. A prolonged search has not discovered a record of 
his birth and his first marriage. About 1796 with his 
wife Betsey and an infant sou he settled in the northwest 
part of this town, adjacent to the line of Winchendon. 
His wife d. June 6, 1807, aged, says Mr. Gushing, "be- 
tween 40 and 50 years." He md. (2d) 1808, Rebecca 
(Weston) Ingalls, dau. of Charles and Rebecca (Potter) 
Weston ; md. (3d) widow Hannah Edwards of Ashby. 
In 1820 he removed over the line into Winchendon, 
where he d. July 5, 1837. Hannah, his wife, d. April 9, 
1837. 

I. Humphrey, b. in Concord, March 28, 1795. -|- 
II. Jonathan, b. June 20, 1798 ; md. Sally Howe, b. 
Sept. 18, 1801, dau. of Perley and Jane T. 
(Belcher) Howe of Gardner. He resided in 
Ashburnham, Rindge and Gardner. There were 
several children but no record has been received. 

III. WilUam, b. Aug. 28, 1799.+ 

IV. Reuben, b. Sept. 2, 1801 ; resided in Winchendon. 
He was enterprising in business and prominent 
in town affairs. He md. Rowena Woodbury, 
dau. of Col. Jacob B. and Hannah (Roberts) 
Woodbury. He d. June 4, 1873 ; his widow d. 
June 14, 1883. Their son, Jacob B. Harris, 
represented the district of Ashburnham and 
Winchendon in the Legislature 1858. 

Amos, b. Sept. 26, 1803 ; removed to New York. 

Betsey, b. ; md. Sargent, and removed 

to the West. 

Mary, b. ; md. John Estey of Winchendon. 

Lucy, b. ; md. Conant. 



Humphrey Harris, son of William, was a Methodist 
preacher. Vide page 512. He md. Eeb. 28, 1815, Mary 
Willard, dau. of Silas Willard, Esq., q. v. While tempo- 
rarily employed by his brother Reuben in Winchendon he 
was killed by a falling tree. 

I. Humphrey, b. March 19, 1815.-|- 
II. Cynthia, b. Jan. 8, 1817; md. Sept. 5, 1846, Al- 
bert Richardson. 
III. Lysander B., b. Dec. 30, 1823. He was of the 
firm P>aton & Harris, manufacturers of spools 
and match stock, and for twenty-five years has 
resided in New York State. 



46 


V. 


47 


VI. 


48 


VII. 


49 


VIII. 



736 



HISTORY OF ASIIBUKNIIAM. 



(44) 



53 



54 
55 



56 



57 
58 

59 
(50) 

60 

61 

62 
63 



II. 
III. 



William Harris, son of William, md. July 2, 1823, 
Hepsibah Flint, b. May 12, 1795, dan. of Nathan Flint 
of Winchendon. He was a fanner and rebuilt the house 
occupied by his father in this town. He d. Nov. 9, 1867 ; 
his wife d. Dec. 28, 1858. Six children. 

I. Minerva N., b. July 22, 1824; md. Elvirous 
Waters; he d. in Winchendon; she d. in Athol 
Oct. 20, 1862. 

Martha, b. May 18, 1826 ; d. Oct. 14, 1844. 

Elhridge N., b. Oct. 23, 1828; resided in Athol 
and now in Lawrence. For many years he has 
been connected with the Rodney Hunt Machine 
Company at Orange, and is treasurer of the 
Corporation. He has been a deacon of First 
Baptist church in Lawrence twelve years. He 
md. March 19, 1851, Merriam. 

Charles H., b. May 25, 1830. He resides at Ja- 
maica, Long Island, N. Y., where he has been 
a station agent thirty-one years. He is a dea- 
con of the Congregational church in Jamaica. 
He md. Dec. 17, 1851, Sarah Woods of Fitch- 
burg. 

William Watso7i, b. Nov. 2, 1832 ; d. Nor. 13, 
1847. 

Frank N.,h. March 21, 1836 ; md. April 30, 1862, 
Elmira C. Davis, dau. of Dea. John C. Davis, 
q. V. He d. at Jamaica, Long Island, Sept. 20, 
1869 ; his widow resides in this town. 



IV. 



VI. 



1. 



Arthur E. 
town. 



b. Jul}- 4, 1863 ; resides in this 



Humphrey Harris, son of Humphrey, md. March 8, 
1838, Emeline W. Clark, dau. of Levi Clark, q. v. She 
d. June 29, 1880; he md. (2d) Aug. 17, 1881, Mrs. 
Susan (Marvin) Stearns of Westminster. He is a farmer 
in the northwest part of the town. 

I. Mary, b. Jan. 24, 1839 ; md. Jan. 22, 1873, Sid- 
ney W. Benjamin, son of Stiilman D. Benjamin, 
q. V. 

II. Harriet L., b. Sept. 20, 1841 ; unmd. ; resides in 
Worcester. 

III. Frances, b. Aug. 6, 1843 ; d. Feb. 27, 1846. 

IV. Charles F., b. Nov. 30, 1848'; md. May 13, 1879, 

Aletia R. Wilder, b. Sept. 20, 1853, dau. of 
John R. and Sarah A. (Stewart) Wilder of 
Ashby. Resides on the homestead. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



737 



64 



65 



66 

67 
68 
69 
70 



(67) 
71 



V. George F., b. Oct. 22, 1854; md. Oct. 13, 1886, 
Edith C. Wood of Winchendon. 



Joseph Harris, a son of Joseph Harris of Acton, was 
b. Jan. 28, 1780. He md. April 7, 1829, Sarah A. (Rus- 
sell) Cutter, dau. of Thomas Russell, q. v., and widow of 
Ephraim Cutter, q. v. He resided on the Samuel Wilder 
or Phillips farm, now owned by his son Joseph H. Harris, 
and commonly called the Harris place. He d. July 29, 
1886. 

I. /S?isa>i i?., b. April 3, 1830; md. Jan. 12, 1860, 

Samuel D. Holt, son of Abiel Holt, q. v. 
n. Joseph H., b. Dec. 25, 1832.-J- 

III. Ellen Ifaria, b. May 20, 1834. 

IV. James R., b. Nov. 19, 1835 ; d. July 12, 1837. 

V. Harriet E., b. July 20, 1838; md. Oct. 14, 1876, 
William B. Prouty of Spencer. 



Joseph H. Harris md. April 22, 1868, Martha J. Per- 
rin of Orfordville, N. H. He resides in Central Village. 

I. Mary E., b. Aug. 29, 1869. 



HASTINGS. 

The name of Hastings has been constant in this town since 1783. The first 
of the name in Ashburnham were of the fifth generation in New England. 
The emigrant ancestor Thomas Hastings, aged 29, and wife Susanna em- 
barked from Ipswich, England, April 10, 168-i, and settled in Watertown. 
The following year he was admitted freeman and he was subsequently a 
selectman twenty-eight years. He was town clerk and a representative and 
for many years a deacon of the church in Watertown. His wife Susanna d. 
Feb. 2, 1650, and he md. (2d) April, 1G51, Margaret Cheney, dau. of Wil- 
liam and Martha Cheney of Roxbury, who was the mother of all his chil- 
dren. He d. 1685, aged 80 years. 

Samuel, the youngest of the eight children of Dea. Thomas and Margaret 
(Cheney) Hastings, was b. March 12, 1665. He md. Jan. 1, 1687, Lydia 
Church, dau. of Caleb and Joanna (Sprague) Church. She was b. in Ded- 
ham July 4, 1661, and d. at the age of thirty years. He md. (2d) April 24, 
1694, Elizabeth Nevison, b. Oct. 22, 1675, dau. of John and Elizabeth Nev- 
ison. She d. 1700. He md. (3d) July 10, 1701, Sarah Coolidge, dau. of 
Simon and Hannah (Barron) Coolidge. He also resided in Watertown, 
where he d. 1722 or 1723. His widow d. 1724. 

Nathaniel, youngest of the seven children of Samuel Hastings, was a son 
of the third wife. He md. April 16, 1734, Esther Perry, dau. of Samuel 
and Margaret (Traine) Perry. They removed to the North Parish of 
Shrewsbury, now Boylston. Of the six children of Samuel Hastings, the 
eldest son was Samuel Hastings, Jr., b. in Shrewsbury 1735 ; md. Oct. 26, 
1757, Anna Bigelow, dau. of Joseph and Martha (Brigham) Bigelow. They 
removed to Princeton about 1759, wliere he d. Sept. 9, 1823, aged 88 years. 
Of their four sons two, Charles and Ezra, removed to this town. 
47 



1 



738 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



9 
10 
11 



(4) 



Capt. Chaules Hastings, son of Samuel and Anna 
(Bigelow) Hastings, was b. in Princeton Nov. 2Q, 1760. 
He md. June 3, 1782, Anna Woods, dau. of Samuel and 
Tabitha Woods, and removed to-Ashburnham 1783. He 
was an honest man and a good citizen. His service in the 
Revolution is stated in Chap. VI. He d. Nov. 28, 1850. 
His wife d. Dec. 19, 1825. 

I. Seise?/, b. Nov. 25, 1782; md. March 16, 1805, 
David Randall, q. v. ; md. (2d) 1808, Joseph 
Spaulding, q. v. ; md. (3d) Joel Couant of 
Acton. 
II. IJzra, b. Dec. 4, 1784; d. Sept. 13, 1801. 

III. John, b. Sept. 18, 1787.4- 

IV. Anna B., b. Feb. 19, 1790 ; md. Asa Sawtell, q. v. 
V. /Sally, b. June 2, 1792 ; md. Col. Charles Barrett, 

q. V. 
VI. Lydia, b. Dec. 21, 1794 ; md. Joshua Stowell, q. v. 
VII. Samuel, b. July 10, 1797; d. Dec. 23, 1803. 
VIII. Charles, b. June IG, 1800. -f- 
IX. Leonard Woods, b. Aug. 14, 1803. -|- 
X. Joseph B., b. Aug. 11, 1805.4- 



12 



John Hastings was a model citizen, loyal to the inter- 
ests of his town and exact and honorable in all his dealings 
with his fellowmen. He filled many positions of trust and 
was the sexton many years. He md. Nov. 4, 1810, Sarah 
Green, b. Dec. 9, 1792, dau. of Oliver and Dorothy (Hil- 
dreth) Green, q. v. She d. Nov. 20, 1822 ; he md. (2d) 
Oct. 6, 1823, Melinda Bolles of Westminster, Vt., b. Feb. 
16, 1800. He d. Aug. 25, 1879. There were seven chil- 
dren by the first and ten by the second marriage. 

I. Julia Augusta, b. Sept. 3, 1811 ; md. March 24, 
1836, James H. Laws of Westminster, son of 
James and Thankful Laws. She d. Nov. 19, 
1885. 

Infant, b. and d. Nov. 1, 1813. 

Mary Coolidge, b. March 20, 1815 ; md. June 11, 
1840, Wiliiam Baker of Gardner, now of Phila- 
delphia; she d. July 28, 1864. 

Infant, b. Jan. 3, 1817; d. Jan. 7, 1817. 

Joh7i Newton, b. March 1, I8I8.4- 

Sarah Hildreth, b. March 4, 1821 ; md. Albert T. 
Bemis, q. v. 

Rebecca Elizabeth, b. July 27, 1822 ; d. Dec. 14, 
1823. 

Infant, b. May 22, 1824 ; d. May 23, 1824. 



13 


II. 


14 


III. 


15 


IV. 


16 


V. 


17 


VI. 


18 


VII. 


19 


VIII. 



20 

21 
22 

23 



24 
25 
26 

27 

28 

(9) 



(10) 



(11) 



29 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 739 

IX. Rebecca Elizabeth^ b. May 1, 1825 ; d. Sept. 24, 

1844. 

X. Infant, b. Dec. 6, 1826 ; d. Dec. 7, 1826. 

XI. Anna Melinda, b. Feb. 1, 1828; d. unmd. Sept. 

23, 1853. 

XII. Leonard,}). Feb. 19, 1830; md. 1860, Sarah F. 

Manning of Templeton ; d. in this town May 2, 
1872. There were three children. 

XIII. Charles Lyman, b. May 20, 1832 ; d, Jan. 10, 1839. 

XIV. Stephen Gushing, b. Dec. 4, 1834. -(- 

XV. Caroline Amelia, b. June 4, 1838 ; d. July 31, 

1864. 

XVI. Martha Jane, b. June 12, 1840; md. March 21, 

1874, John S. Woods, son of John Woods, q.v. 
XVII. Infant, b. Feb. 16, d. Feb. 20, 1844. 



Charles Hastings was a merchant a few years on the 
old common. In 1830 he sold the farm and the store to 
Lemuel Stimson and subsequently removed to New Ips- 
wich. He was postmaster of New Ipswich from March 
10, 1843, to July 3, 1845. Soon after the last date he 
returned to his native town and has resided in the Central 
Village. In age he has manifested infirmities, yet the 
stronger and better traits of his character have not been 
obscured. Through life he has been tenacious in contro- 
versy and equally constant in his attachments and friend- 
ship. To the memoiy of the dead whom he has respected 
and loved his heart is responsive and his works are char- 
acteristic of his best and warmest impulses. Recognizing 
the elevated character of Col. Joseph Jewett he supple- 
mented his gift of land and buildings to Cushing Academy 
with the memorial name of Jewett Hall, He md. Dec. 15, 
1824, Susan Wellington Hill, dau. of Isaac Hill, q. v. ; 
she d. Dec. 17, 1870. 



Leonard W. Hastings md. 1832, Pilvira Burrows of New 
Ipswich ; md. (2d) Martha Colburn of Temple. He re- 
sided in this town a few years and later in New Ipswich, 
where he d. April 11, 1882. 



Joseph B. Hastings md. Nov. 21, 1827, Adaline 
Woods, dau. of Asa AVoods, q. v. He resided in this 
town until 1853, when he removed to Brookline, where he 
d. Sept. 28, 1883. His widow resides in West Berlin. 

I. Mary W., b. Nov. 13, 1828; md. Sept. 2, 1847, 
Milton J. Scollay, son of Grover Scollay, q. v. 



740 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



30 
31 
32 



33 



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34 



(25) 



35 
36 

37 

38 



39 



40 

41 
42 
43 
44 
45 



46 



II. Adaline, b. July 4, d. July 18, 1833. 
in. Joseph Henry, b. Oct. 23, 1834 ; d. Nov. 9, 1855. 
IV. Levi 7F.,b.May 11, 1840; md. Sept 27, 1863, 

Abbie J. Goldsmith, dau. of George W. and 

Ruth (Hutchins) Goldsmith ; resides in Brook- 

liue. 
V. Herbert Eugene, b. Aug. 28, 1846 ; md. 1868, 

Kemp ; resides in Jamaica Plain. 



John N. Hastings md. Sept. 25, 1838, Sarah Rice 
Taylor, dau. of Ephraira Taylor, q. v. He has been a 
deacon of the Congregational church since 1870. He 
resides on Chapel street. 

I. Charles Newton, b. Oct. 10, 1846 ; d. Aug. 22, 
1867. 



Stephen C. Hastings md. Jan. 29, 1853, Emily N. 
Stowell, dau. of Moses Stowell, q. v. He is a merchant 
in Providence, R. I. 

I. Abbie Augusta, b. May 9, 1853. 
II. Anna Maria, b. Feb. 16, 1855 ; md. Charles Steb- 
bins ; d. in New Haven, Conn., March 3, 1884. 

III. Ella, b. Aug. 12, 1860. 

IV. Charles Lyman, b. Jan. 25, 1872 ; d. May 26, 

1879. 



EzKA Hastings, a brother of Capt. Charles Hastings, b. 
1772, md. Sept. 3, 1796, Polly Mirick of Princeton. At 
the time of his marriage, or previously, he settled in this 
town. He d.,felo de se, Feb. 14, 1815. The widow and 
children removed to Indiana. 

I. James Mirick, b. July 28, 1796, according to the 

record. 

II. Stephen, b. May 2, 1798. 

III. Polly, b. July 14, 1800 ; d. Oct. 19, 1801. 

IV. Amos, b. Sept. 24, 1802. 
V. Mary, b. Jan. 8, 1807. 

VI. Louisa. 



Nathaniel Hastings, of another family, with wife 
Jemima removed to this town in 1771. He was in Capt. 
Davis' company 1775, and probably removed from town 
soon after that date. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



741 



47 { I. Amasa, b. Oct. 19, 1772. 

48 II. Sylvanus, b. Dec. 24, 1773. 

49 III. Azubah, bap. Aug. 27, 1775. 



HAVEN. 

The Havens of this town were from Hopkinton, and are descendants of 
Richard Haven, who with wife Susannah emigrated from the west of England 
and settled in Lynn in 1644 or 1045. They had twelve children all b. in 
Lynn. The mother d. Feb. 7, 1G82, and Richard, tlie father, d. between May 
21, 1701, the date of his will, and June 14, 1703, when it was proved. Nath- 
aniel Haven, son of Richard the emigrant, was b. June 30, 1664, and by 
wife Elizabeth had ten children. He resided in Lynn and later in Framing- 
ham, where he d. 1746, aged 82. He was a town officer in Framingham and 
a man of inliuence. Nathaniel Haven, son of Nathaniel and Elizabeth 
Haven, b. in Framingham Sept. 8, 1704, md. June 10, 1724, Hepsibah Rugg 
and removed to Hopkinton, where he md. (2d) Dec. 7, 1741, Abigail (Clark) 
Rice, widow of Jason Rice of Sudbury; and (8d) 1753, Hannah Ware. He 
d. 1763, aged 59 years. Among the seven children of Nathaniel and Hepsi- 
bah (Rugg) Haven was Jonathan Haven of Ashburnham. 



(7) 



10 
11 



Jonathan Haven, son of Nathaniel and Hepsibah 
(Rugg) Haven, was b. in Hopkinton April 29, 1728. He 
md.'Aug. 24, 1749, Elizabeth Haven. The}^ resided in 
Hopkinton, where their children were b., until about 1785 
when he removed to this town and settled where his grand- 
sons Jouas and Elijah Haven now live. He d. July 30, 
1791 ; his widow d. May 7, 1809. 

I. Jerusha, b. June 1, 1750. 

II. Lois, b. June 27, 1753 ; d. unmd. in Ashburnham 

June 21, 1820. 

III. Hezekiah, b. Oct, 1, 1755. 

IV. Elizabeth, b. Sept. 15, 1757; md. 1778, James 

Stone of Southboro'. They removed to Fitz Wil- 
liam, N. H., about 1781, where she lived to an 
advanced age. Nine children. 
V. Hepsibah, b. Sept. 3, 1759. 
VI. Jonathan, h. July 31, 1765.-|- 
VII. John, b. Aug. 31, 17G7.-|- 

JoNATHAN Haven md. April 8, 1792, Zerviah Rice, 
dau. of Jason and Susannah (Haven) Rice of Hopkinton. 
She d. Sept. 8, 1821; he md. (2d) Nov. 13, 1822, 
Saloma AVithington, b. in Fitzwilliam, N. H., Jan. 5, 
1787, dau. of William and Martha (Locke) Withington. 
She d. Feb. 19, 1842, aged 55 years. He d. Jan. 7, 1837. 

I. Betsey, b. May 24, 1793 ; md. Nathaniel D. Ward, 

q. V. 

II. Susannah, b. March 13, 1795; d. April 19, 1795. 

III. Jonathan, b. April IS, 179G ; d. Nov. 22, 1813. 



742 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



(8) 

12 

13 
U 

15 
16 

17 

18 



John Haven md. Sept. 23, 1804, Anna Wood, dau. of 
Jonas Wood of Fitzwilliam, N. H. She d. June 3, 1821 ; 
hemd. (2d) Oct. 1, 1821, Betsey Blodgett. He was a 
farmer in this town. He d. Dec. 25, 1830 ; his widow d. 
1857. 

I. Jonas, b. Sept., 1806 ; md. June 24, 1852, Eme- 
line Fassett of Fitzwilliam, N. H. A farmer, 
residing near his brother, Elijah Haven, on the 
homestead. 
II. Xots, b. July 31, 1809; unmd. ; resides in this 
town. 

III. Elijah, b. Feb. 17, 1812 ; md. April 3, 1842, 

Nancy Ward, dau. of Nathaniel D. Ward, q. v. 
They have three children by adoption. 

1. Augustus O., b. Jan. 18, 1846; d. Jan. 

17, 1855. 

2. Charles Abbott, b. Oct. 10, 1853 ; md. 

July 12, 1873, Mary E. Lane, dau. of 
Amos F. Lane, q. v. He d. Oct. 17, 
1883. 

3. Anna Dawn, b. May 5, 1871. 

IV. Jerusha, b. Sept. 30, 1815; d. July 17, 1819. 



Newton Hayden, b. in Groton Dec, 5, 1827, son of 
Luther and Betsey (Austin) Hayden, lived in this town 
about thirty years and removed to Fitchburg in 1876. He 
was a merchant several years and was town clerk five 
years. He md. April 5, 1849, Sarah A. Whitney, dau. of 
William Whitney, q. v. 

I. Ella Mercy, b. Dec. 29, 1849 ; md. 1872, Charles 

A. Smith. 
II. William P. b. July 14, 1852. 
III. Minnie Belle, b. Nov. 2, 1868. 



Edwin Hayward, son of Stephen and Mehitable (Rich) 
Hayward, was b. in Worcester Dec. 20, 1821. Stephen 
Hayward, the father, d. Nov. 22, 1835, and she md. (2d) 
Abraham Dwinnell and d. in this town May 31, 1862. 
Edwin Hayward removed to Ashburnhara 1837. Subse- 
quently he was foreman in the employ of Burrage Bros., 
and during the past twenty j^ears he has been in the 
lumber and meat business. He came to Ashburnham un- 
married aud has maintained his position. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 743 

Harvey Heald, son of John Heald, was b. in Shirley 
Sept. 20, 1797. He resided successively in Hinsdale, 
Lanesboro', Royalston and Ashburnham. He removed to 
this town 1836, where he d. March 12, 1867. He md. 
Nov. 9, 1826, Susan Kibling, dau. of Henry Kibling, q. v. 

I. George^ b. Aug. 15, 1827. -|- 

II. Neivton, b. May 6, 1831 ; md. Feb. 9, 1857, Sarah 
Elizabeth Gilson. He d. in this town Jan. 27, 
1860. 

HI. Henry, b. April 5, 1833 ; md. Feb. 19, 1853, Mary 
E. Lovell. He d. in this town Aug. 26, 1854. 

IV. S^tsan, b. Nov. 8, 1834 ; d. June 24, 1836. 
V. Charles Harvey, b. Jan. 17, 1836 ; md. Sept. 10, 
1867, Cornelia E. Haywood. He is a carpenter 
and resides in Northampton. He served through 
the war of the Rebellion and was promoted to 
first lieutenant. He was twice wounded, and 
was a prisoner four months within the rebel 
lines. 

VI. Leicis Brigham, b. March 5, 1839 ; md. Oct. 12, 
1867, Mary Sophia Remick. He is a carpenter 
in St. Johnsbuiy, Vt. He served in the war of 
the Rebellion, participating in the Mississippi 
campaign, the siege of Vicksburg and Sherman's 
ffrand march to the sea. 



George Heald is one of the few representatives of the 
Kibling family remaining in this town. He is a farmer 
and resides in Lane Village on the homestead of his 
father and by two generations of the Kibling family. He 
md. March 8, 1860, Lucia A. Williams. 



I. Lewis B., b. June 8, 1863. 
II. Susan Ellen, b. Dec. 3, 1871. 



Ebenezer Hemenway, a resident of Ashburnham, was 
the son of Rev. Phinehas and Sarah (Stevens) Hemenway, 
and was b. in Townsend. He was bap. March 14, 1735, 
but there is no record of his birth. Rev. Phinehas Hem- 
enway, the father, son of Joshua and Rebecca Hemenway 
of Framingham, was the first minister of Townsend. 
Ebenezer Hemenway settled in Ashburnham as early as 
1758. He resided at the old common, and during the 
later years of his life he succeeded Dea. Moses Foster as 
an innhokler. He was frequently elected to office and his 
name is familiar to the readers of the early annals of 
Ashburnham. He md. Nov. 23, 1758, Elizabeth Moore. 



744 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



He d. Dec. 10, 1776, aged about 42 years. His widow 
d. iu this town April 16, 1788. 

I. PhineJias, b. 1762 ; md. July 10, 1787, Mary Conn, 
dau. of John Conn, q. v. He was a Revolu- 
tionary soldier. An infant, aged three years, 
d. here Jan. 2, 1792. A continued record has 
not been secured. 
II. Ebenezer, b. 1764. 

III. Lucy, b. 1765 ; nid. Capt. John Scolla}', q. v. 

IV. Moses Foster, b. March 10, 1768. 

V. Levi, b. Jan. 15, 1770 ; d. April 19, 1772. 



Joshua Hemenway resided a few years iu this town. 
He was in the Revolutionary service and upon the rolls of 
Capt. Gates' and Capt. Wilder's companies his residence 
is stated. He removed from town soon after and left no 
additional record. It is probable that he was a 3'ounger 
brother of Ebenezer Hemenway. 

Rev. Shubel R. Herrick, sou of Zimri and Mary 
(Brigham) Herrick and a grandson of Shadrach and Abi- 
gail (Stoddard) Herrick, was b. in Chesterfield, N. H., 
Aug. 27, 1820. He ind. April 13, 1848, Lucy A. Shat- 
tuck, b. June 23, 1817, dau. of Thomas C. Shattuck of 
Pepperell. She d. July 28, 1872 ; he md. (2d) April 27, 
1874, Eliza J. Baker, dau. of Bradish Baker, q. v. ; she 
d. March 29, 1877 ; he md. (3d) Dec. 26, 1877, Hannah 
Towne Wesson, b. Jan. 21, 1823, dau. of Asa Wesson of 
Phillipston. He studied theology with Rev. Elisha An- 
drews of Hinsdale, N. H., and was ordained at Keene, N. 
H., June 4, 1842. He has been settled over churches in 
Rockport, Pepperell and Groton, and in Keene, Clare- 
mont and Peterborough, N. H. He has preached more re- 
cently as stated supply, and is now a farmer in this town. 

I. Mary Caroline, b. March 5, 1849; md. 1869, 
Alonzo Blood, son of Edward F. Blood of Pep- 
perell. She d. Jan. 7, 1876, leaving a dau., 
Minnie C, b. May 17, 1876. 



NoYES B. Herrick, a brother of Rev. Shubel R., was 
b. in Chesterfield, N. H., Sept. 11, 1833 ; md. Sarah E. 
Whitney ; she d. Dec. 5, 1872 ; md. (2d) Aug. 3, 1873, 
Lucy C. Ellis, dau. of Jesse Ellis, q. v. ; she d. July 15, 
1883; md. (3d) Nov. 27, 1884, Lydia F. (Weld) Cum- 
mings, dau. of Daniel and Mary Weld. He is a farmer 
and mechanic. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



745 



Rawson B. Herrick, a brother of Rev. Shubel and 
Noyes B. Herrick, was b. in Chesterfield, N. H., June 28, 
1829. He md. Nov. 27, 1853, Juliaett Cook, b. in Ches- 
terfield, N. H., Feb. 5, 1833, dau. of Mark and Mille 
(Stoddard) Cook. Resides in this town. 



ZiMRi Heywood, son of Nathan and Esther (Willis) 
Heywoodof Lunenburg, was b. Sept. 5, 1731, and accord- 
ing to the record of his birth on "Sabbath day the sun 
about half an hour high at night." He was an early set- 
tler of Ashburnham and his name is frequentl}' mentioned 
in the early chapters of this volume. Nathan Heywood 
of Lunenburg and Fitchburg was a brother of Zirnri and 
was many years one of the proprietors of the township 
and clerk of the propriety. Zimri Heywood md. June 5, 
1756, Jane Foster, dau. of Dea. Moses Foster, q. v. When 
Ash by was incorporated in 1767 his farm and mill were 
included in that town. He removed a few years later to 
Winslow, Me., where he d. 

I. Rebecca Willis, b. Jan. 9, 1757. 
II. Eunice^ b. June 16, 1760. 

III. Nathan, b. March 15, 1762. 

IV. Elizabeth, b. May 20, 1764. 
V. Thomas, b. May 5, 1766. 



HILL. 

The American ancestry of the Hill family, of which Gov. Isaac Hill of 
New Hampshire is an illustrious representative, is found in Paige's History 
of Cambridge and also in Wyman's Genealogies and Estates of Charlestown. 
For valuable supplementary record I am indebted to Horatio Hill, Esq., of 
Chicago, who was formerly a resident of this town. 

Abraham Hill, b. 1615, is found in Charlestown 1636. He was admitted 
freeman May 13, 1640. He was one of a committee of ten, appointed by the 
County Commissioners, to determine -what bridges should be built and main- 
tained, and May 15, 1657, they reported in relation to the Mystic River 
Bridge. He resided in the part of Charlestown now included in Maiden, 
where he d. Feb. 13, 1669-70. Inventory of estate £633. He md. Sarah 
Long, b. 1617, dau. of Robert Long who embarked from Dunstable, Bedford- 
shire, England, in 1635. Zechary Hill, son of Abraham and Sarah (Long) 
Hill, b. probably about 1645, md. Sept. 24, 1668, Deborah Norton, dau. of 
Capt. Francis and Mary Norton of Charlestown. He d. early and his widow 
md. (2d) Matthew Griffin and d. 1698. 

Abraham Hill, son of Zechary (not a son of Abraham, Jr., as assumed by 
Paige), was b. 1672; resided in Charlestown and removed to Cambridge, 
where he d. March 9, 1746. He md. Sarah Cooper, dau. of Timothy Cooper 
of Groton. She d. March 30, 1752. Zechariah Hill, son of Abraham and 
Sarah (Cooper) Hill, b. 1708, md. Feb. 10, 1731-2, Rebecca Cutter, dau. of 
Dea. John and Lydia Cutter. He resided in Cambridge, now Arlington, 
■where he was committee man and assessor; he d. March 10, 1768; his widow 
md. (2d) Dec. 11, 1770, Samuel Carter and d. Feb. 1, 1797. Abraham Hill, 
son of Zechariah and Rebecca (Cutter) Hill, b. about 1734, md. Feb. 16, 



746 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



1758, Susannah Wellington, dau. of Thomas Wellington of Cambridge. He 
resided in Cambridge, now Arlington, and was a soldier in the French and 
Indian wars, and of the Revolution. He d. Dec. IG, ISl'i; his wife d. 1797. 
Among the seven children of Abraham and Susannah (Wellington) Hill was 
Isaac Hill who removed to Ashburnham. 



9 
10 



(2) 



11 



Isaac Hill, son of Abraham and Susannah (Welling- 
ton) Hill, was b. in Cambridge Precinct, now Arlington, 
May 8, 1766 ; he md. Hannah Russell, b. Feb. 8, 1772, 
dau. of Walter and Hannah (Adams) Russell. Vide 
Adams and Russell registers. They resided in Charles- 
town a. year or more after their marriage, then in Cam- 
bridge Precinct and removed to Ashburnham with five 
children in 1797. He purchased the farm of Ethan AVeth- 
erbee, who md. a dau. of Capt. Thomas Adams. The 
farm was a part of the original Cambridge grant in the 
southeast part of the town. It now constitutes a part of 
the estate of the late Ward Russell. Disposing of the 
farm in 1819 the family removed to the Central Village. 
He d. Dec. 23, 1843; she d. March 1, 1847. A monu- 
ment erected by Charles and Susan W. (Hill) Hastings 
marks their resting place in the old cemetery. 

I. Isaac, b. April 6, 1788.4- 
II. Walter Russell, b. Feb. 22, 1790.+ 

III, Hannah Russell, h. Oct. 31, 1792; md. George 

R. Cushing, Esq., q. v. 

IV. SuUina, b. June 2, 1795 ; md. Reuben Townsend, 

Esq., g. V. 
V. Susan Wellington, h. Oct. 3, 1797; md. Charles 

Hastings, q. v. 
VI. Mary Adams, b. July 10, 1800; md. Aug. 26, 

1820, Jacob Bailey Moore. + 
VII. George Washington, b. Jan. 4, 1804. -|- 
VIII. Horatio, b. March 19, 1807. -f 
IX. Rebecca Russell, b. July 3, 1810; md. Hon. John 
R. Reding. -|- 



HoN. Isaac Hill md. Feb. 2, 1814, Susan Ayer, dau. 
of Capt. Richard Ayer of Concord, N. H., who d. June 
17, 1881. No name is more potent or familiar in the 
political annals of New Hampshire than that of Isaac 
Hill. A sketch of his eminent service appears in Chap. 
XX. He d. at Washington, D. C, March 22, 1851, and 
was buried at Concord, N. H. 

I. William Pickering, b. Oct. 18, 1819 ; md. Oct. 
26, 1843, Clara Ann West, b. Dec. 17, 1820, 
dau. of John West, Jr., of Concord. Resides 



12 

13 

14 



(3) 



(7) 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 747 

in Concord ; was many years New Hampshire 
correspondent of Boston Herald. 
II. John McClary, b. Nov. 0, 1821; md. Nov. 15» 
1843, Elizabeth Lord Chace. Resides in Con- 
cord. He was Democratic candidate for Gover- 
nor of New Hampshire 1884. 

III. Georglana Toscan, b. Oct. 1, 1824; d. Sept. 12, 

1825. 

IV, Isaac Andrew., b. Sept. 16, 1827; md. Oct. 5, 

1858, Sarah Ann Sanderson, born Sept. 19, 
1839, dau. of Charles C. and Amanda (Stevens) 
Sanderson. He resides in Concord, and many 
3'ears was Register of Probate for county of 
Merrimack. 



Walter Russell Hill served an apprenticeship with 
his brother, Hon. Isaac Hill, and in 1811 a business part- 
nership was formed under the firm name of I. and W". R. 
Hill, commencing with the 105th number of the Patriot. 
In a few years he manifested increasing evidences of 
mental alienation which terminated in hopeless insanity. 
For very nearl}^ thirty years he was an inmate of an 
insane asylum. He d. unmd. at Concord, N. H., Dec. 8, 
1855. 



Jacob Bailey Moore md. Aug. 26, 1820, Mary Adams 
Hill. He was born in Andover, N. H., 1797. From 
1819 to 1823 he was a partner of Gov. Hill in the publi- 
cation of the Patriot. In 1826, in connection with a 
brother Henry E. Moore, he established the New Hamp- 
shire Journal which, five years later, was consolidated 
with the Statesman ayid Register. The Patriot of Gov. 
Hill and the Journal of Mr. Moore, representing the adhe- 
rents of Jackson and of Adams, reflected the vigor of the 
political sentiment of that period, sparing neither plain 
speech nor curt repartee for the sake of relationship. He 
was Register of Deeds and Sheriff of Merrimack county. 
Subsequently he resided and labored in New York, Wash- 
ington and San F'rancisco, being postmaster of San Fran- 
cisco from 1849 to 1852. In the midst of other labor he 
responded to a genuine love for historical research, and 
his publications in connection with John Farmer remain 
an enduring monument. He d. Sept. 1, 1853. Mrs. 
Moore d. Feb. 13, 1886. She was a lady of rare accom- 
plishments and many excellencies of character. Their 
children were born at Concord. 



748 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



15 



17 


in 


18 


IV 


19 


V 


20 


VI 



(8) 



O 



21 

22 

23 

24 
25 



26 



(9) 



Lucretia, md. Warren Osborn, an importer and 

dealer in India goods in San Francisco. He d. 

. She resides in New York. 

George Henry, md. 1850, Mary Richards ; resides 

in New Yorlv. George H. Moore, LL. D., is 

Librarian of Lenox Library. 
Charles Carrol, md. Maria Coddiugton. 
Frank, md. Laura Bailey ; he is author of Rebellion 

Record. 
Jacob Bailey. 
Mary, md. Edward Jones and d. in California. 



George Washington Hill md. May 20, 1828, Sabrina 
Woodbury, b. Feb. 4, 1804, dau. of Mark and Alice 
(Boyd) Woodbury of Antrim, N. H. ; she d. May 3, 
1856. He established about 1825 at Montpelier, Vt., the 
Vermont Patriot and State Gazette which he continued 
until about 1837. He was postmaster at Montpelier 
1829-36. For many years he resided on his farm in 
Johnson, Vt. He d. March 1, 1887, aged 83 years. 

I. Mary ElizabetJi, b. May 6, 1829 ; d. April 2, 

1832. 
II. George Woodbury, b. July 21, 1831 ; d. unmd. 
Dec. 1, 1855. 

III. 31ary Dodge, b. Oct. 3, 1833 ; d. unmd. Aug. 20, 

1854. 

IV. Alice Rebecca, b. Nov. 7, 1837. 

V. Susa7i Sabrina, h. April 6, 1840 ; md. July 22, 
1863, Morris Christie, M. D., b. Aug. 29, 1832, 
son of Josiah W. and Mary (Bell) Christie and a 
nephew of Hon. Daniel M. Christie of Dover, 
N. H. Dr. Morris resides in Antrim, N. H. 
VI. John R. Reding, b. April 1, 1844; md. Oct. 14, 
1873, Asenath M. Sawyer. He is a farmer and 
a prominent citizen of Johnson, Vt., also treas- 
urer of State Normal School. 



Horatio Hill, youngest son of Isaac and Hannah 
(Russell) Hill, at the age of fourteen years was appren- 
ticed to his brother Isaac and labored in the office of the 
Patriot and in the book-store until he attained his 
majority. In the meantime he attended the public schools 
of Concord and was a student one year, 1823, at the 
Literary Scientific and Military Academy at Norwich, Vt. 
In 1829, Isaac Hill having been appointed Comptroller 
of the Treasury, Horatio Hill and Col. Cyrus Barton 



27 



28 
29 
30 

31 

32 
33 



(10) 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 749 

purchased the Patriot and the book-store and conducted 
the business under the firm of Horatio Hill & Co. until 
1834. In 1837 Mr. Hill removed to New York and 
during the following six years he was connected with the 
publishing house of D. Appleton & Co., and subsequently 
was engaged in the book trade in that city until the close 
of the year 1849. The ensuing five years cover a resi- 
dence in California and in Fitchburg, where he is remem- 
bered as a deputy- sheriff. During the past thirty years 
Mr. Hill has resided in Chicago, 111. A year since he 
visited his native town and the familiar scenes of his 
childhood. Horatio Hill md. April 27, 1830, Clarissa 
Walker Emery, b. Oct. 31, 1810, dau. of Capt. Charles 
and Polly (Walker) Emery of Concord, N. H. ; she died 
Sept. 19, 1839 ; he married (2d) April 14, 1841, Elizabeth 
Lewis Wilds, b. Sept. 24, 1820, dau. of Royal and Sarah 
(French) Wilds. 

I. Sarah Elizabeth, b. July 31, 1831 ; md. Jan. 26, 
1855, Enoch Gibson Hooke (Dartmouth College 
1849) ; he is a lawyer ; Chicago 1854-79 ; 
removed to Colorado 1879 ; now at Colorado 
Spring, Col. Mrs-. Hooke died March 9, 1885. 

II. Charles Isaac, b. Dec. 2, 1833 ; d. Sept. 24, 1834. 

III. Charles, b. and d. July, 1835. 

IV. George Reding, b. Jan. 23, 1842 ; d. unmd. June 

17, 1864. 

V. Clara Rebecca, b. ; md. Oct. 3, 1876, 

Edward H. Buckingham. 
VI. Ella Mary. 
vn. Hattie Crocker, b. ; d. Sept. 3, 1862. 



Hon. John R. Reding, son of John and Mercy S. 
(Randall) Reding, b. in Portsmouth, N. H., Oct. 18, 
1805, md. Oct. 11, 1830, Rebecca Russell Hill. Mr. 
Reding, having served an apprenticeship with Gov. Hill 
in the Patriot office, established at Haverhill in 1828 the 
Democratic Republican, the first number being issued July 
24. He continued a residence in Haverhill until 1853, 
where he was a selectman, postmaster, and engaged in 
several business ventures. He built on contract the Court 
House at Haverhill and the fire-proof accommodations for 
the county records. In the meantime he was twice elected 
a Member of Congress 1841-5. His wife d. at Wash- 
ington Jan. 28, 1844. There is entered on the House 
Journal Jan. 31, 1844, " On motion of Mr. Burke, by 
leave, it was unanimously resolved that the speaker be 
directed to adjourn this House this day at the hour of two 



750 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



o'clock p. M." The record is followed by an explana- 
tion : " This resolution was adopted to enable the mem- 
bers to attend the funeral of Mrs. Rebecca Russell Red- 
ing, wife of Mr. John R. Reding, a member of the House 
from the State of New Hampshire." At this time there 
had been no precedent for this expression of respect. To 
the memory of a lad}'^ of Ashburnham such tribute was 
first paid. 

Since 1853 Mr. Reding has resided in Portsmouth, N. 
H. He was a member of the Legislature 1867, '68, '69, 
and Ma3^or of the city 1860. In 1840 and again in 1852 
he was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention. 
He md (2d) Jan. 14, 1846, Jane Martin of St. Johns- 
bury, Vt. No children. 



2 
3 

4 

:5 

6 
7 
8 
9 

10 
11 
12 



Daniel Hilton was a resident of this town several 
years. He was a farmer on the farm formerly occupied 
by William Holbrook on the old road to Winchendon. 
He removed from this town about 1835. No record of 
his marriage. The births of eleven children are recorded. 

I. Leander^ b. Nov. 7, 1810. 
II. Martha Dormda, b. May 10, 1812. 

III. Leonard, b. March 13, 1814. 

IV. Julia L., b. June 25, 1817. 
V. Mary Ann, b. April 2. 1819. 

VI. Jane M., b. Oct. 7, 1821. 
VII. Hiram, b. Dec. 14, 1823. 
VIII. Amanda Sophia, b. Dec. 31, 1825. 
IX. Charles, b. Dec. 23, 1827. 
X. Hudson, b. Feb. 27, 1830. 
XI. Elizabeth Ellen, b. Dec. 23, 1831. 



Francis Hinds md. May 27, 1826, Lucy Kinsman, b. 
Sept. 4, 1804, dau. of Daniel and Lucj' (Munroe) Kins- 
man and granddau. of Lieut. Ebenezer Munroe. After 
a short stay in Fitchburg and in Leominster he removed 
to this town about 1830. He d. Sept. 29, 1861 ; she md. 
(2d) Jonathan P. Wilder, q. v. 

I. Louisa Ann, b. April 2, 1827 ; md. Joseph E. 

Clark, q. v. 

II. Lucy Adams, b. Sept. 9, 1829 ; md. July 4, 1850, 

George N. Duncan. He is a millwright. 

1. Frank, b. May 17, 1852; resides in 
Worcester. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



751 



5 
6 




2. Junia J., b. Dec. 10, 18,)9 ; lud. Charles 

Johnson of Gardner. 

3. Lillie May, b. Sept. 11, 1873. 


7 
8 


HI. 
IV, 


Sarah J., b. Aug. 2, 1834 ; md. AVarren Pratt of 

Gardner. 
Adaline P., b. April, 1840 ; md. Harvey Clark, 


9 


V. 


q. V. 
Ellen E., b. Jan. 5, 1848 ; md. George F. Corey, 


10 


VI. 


q. V. 
Martha E., b. Sept. 18, 1849 ; md. Henry Rus- 
sell of Gardner. 



HOB ART. 

The name of Hobart, firmly and honorably engraven in the early annals 
of Ashburnham, does not appear in the records of the town since 1844. Dan- 
iel Hobart, the first martyr from this town in the Revolution, was a descend- 
ant from Edmund Hobart who was in Charlestown in 1G33. He was a con- 
stable in 1635 and soon after removed to Hingham. The name has been 
written Hubbard, Hubberd, Hebberd and Hobbert, but the line of descent 
represented in this town was written Hobart through several earlier genera- 
tions. Edmund Hobart had sons Edmund, Jr., Joshua, Peter and Thomas, 
who were b. in Hingham, England. Three of these removed with their 
father to Hingham. Peter Hobart, b. 1604, son of Edmund, Sen., was ad- 
mitted to the church in Charlestown 1635, and became the first minister of 
Hingham, and to him lands were granted in 1635. He remained in the min- 
istry in this place until his death 1679. Rev. Gershom Hobart, b. 1645, a 
son of Rev. Peter Hobart, was ordained at Groton 1679, and ministered to 
the settlement until 1705. Concerning these early ministers much can readily 
be learned from sketches and local histories. 

Shebuel Hobart, b. 1688, son of Rev. Gershom Hobart, by wife Martha, 
had eight children b. in Groton ; among them was Nehemiali Hobart, b. March 
13, 1717, and d. in Pepperell 1784. He md. Rachel Shattuck, b. June 9, 
1719, dau. of Samuel and Mary Shattuck of Groton. They had eight chil- 
dren; of these, two became residents of Ashburnham. Rachel (Shattuck) 
Hobart d. in Ashburnham Dec. 22, 1796. 



Daniel Hobaut, a son of Nehemiah and Rachel (Shat- 
tuck) Hobart, was b. in Groton Feb. 24, 1748-9. He 
md. Jan. 22, 1772, Kezin Weston, or AVesson as the 
name was frequently written. She was b. Sept. 13, 1749, 
and at the time of marriage she was a resident of AVil- 
mington. In 1773 they removed to this town. He set- 
tled south of Rice pond. In 1775 he was a corporal in 
Capt. Gates' company and probably remained in the ser- 
vice during the j'ear. In June, 1776, again he joined the 
army, enlisting in Capt. Joseph Flint's company of Col. 
Coleman's regiment. Marching by way of Springfield 
and Hartford to New York the regiment joined the army 
under Washington. At the battle of White Plains, Oct. 
28, 1776, he was wounded by a musket ball in the thigh 



752 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



and d. upon the field. All traditions are united in the 
testimony that he was an active, intelligent man and of 
irreproachable character. His widow continued a resi- 
dence in this town, where she d. Jan. 14, 1844. There 
were two children of Daniel and Kezia Hobart. 

I. Nehemiah, b. May 25, 1773 ; md. 1795, Lydia 
Randall, dau. of Stephen Randall, q. v. About 
1801 he removed to Peru, Vt., where he d. Dec. 
8, 1852. 

II. Kezia, b. April 11, 1775 ; md. Feb. 20, 1793, Dr. 
John Peabody of Mt. Vernon, N. H. ; he d. 
about 1800 ; she md. (2d) Sept. 17, 1809, Peter 
Hunt, q. V. There were three children of Dr. 
John and Kezia (Hobart) Peabody. 

1. Chandler, b. May 21, 1795. 

2. Frederick, b. Feb. 12, 1797. 

3. Hobart, b. June 12, 1799. 



Shebuel Hobart, a brother of Daniel Hobart, was b. 
in Groton Dec. 15, 1746. He md. Dec. 7, 1774, Susan- 
nah Bradford, and settled in this town on the farm, now 
of John T. Wilson, between 1770 and 1775. He was a 
farmer and an intelligent, respected citizen. He was a 
corporal in Capt. Davis' company in 1775, but no addi- 
tional record of service in the Revolution has been found. 
He d. Nov. 8, 1813 ; his widow d. May 29, 1843, aged 
84 years. 

I. Rachel, b. Dec. 11, 1775 ; md. Samuel Broughton, 

q. V. 
II. Susannah, b. July 16, 1778; md. Henry Kibling, 

q. V. 



10 



Thomas Hobart, lineage not traced, a relative of Dan- 
iel and Shebuel Hobart, md. Amy Wilder, b. Aug. 20, 
1771, dau. of Samuel and Mary (Chubbuck) Wilder. 
They removed from Hingham to this town about 1796. 
He occupied a farm now owned by Walter R. Adams, and 
was an industrious, blameless man. His influence was 
good and his integrity was proverbial. He d. 1840 ; his 
wife d. 1837. 



William Holbrook, b. 1752, md. 1777, Elizabeth 
Rich, and removed from Scituate to this town 1782 or 
1783. He was a farmer in the southwest part of the 
town. In 1807 he removed with his family to Westmore- 
land, N. H., where he d. 1825. 



3 


II. 


4 


III. 


5 


IV. 


6 


V. 


7 


VI. 


8 


VII. 


9 


VIII. 


10 


IX. 


11 


X. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 753 

Mabel, b. June 29, 1778; md. April 13, 1797, 
Leonard Crosby, a brother of Frederick Crosby. 
William, b. Aug. 10, 1780. 
Infant, d. in this town July 23, 1783. 
Josiah, bap. April 4, 1784 ; d. April 26, 1784. 
Jesse, b. July 23, 1786.-}- 
Samuel, b. Aug. 25, 1788. 

Thomas Rich, bap. May 9, 1790 ; d. Dec. 4, 1792. 
Polly, b. July 1, 1794. 
Joseph Rich, b. March 6, 1797. 
Luther, b. Nov. 10, 1801. 



(6) 

12 
13 



14 
15 
16 

17 

18 

19 

20 
21 
22 

23 



Jesse Holbrook, son of William, md. Sept. 2, 1806, 
Nancy White, dau. of Elisha AVhite, q. v. He was a 
blacksmith in this town, where he d. Aug. 4, 1867; she 
d. April 15, 1864. 

I. Nancy White, b. April 30, 1807 ; md. Joshua 

Merriam, g. v. 

II. Jesse Horatio, b. Dec. 26, 1808 ; md. 1839, Polly 

Ann Wilcox ; resided in Granger, N. Y. ; he d. 
1856. His sons, James E* and Lewis J., d. in 
the service in the war of the Rebellion. 

III. Mary Eliza, b. Sept. 2, 1811 ; d. 1812. 

IV. James Alexander, b. July 14, 1812 ; d. unmd. 1839. 

V. Mary Eliza, b. Aug. 12, 1814 ; md. Sept. 13, 

1842, James L. Russell ; resides in Fitchburg. 

VI. Deborah Laura, b. March 9, 1817; unmd.; a 

dressmaker ; resides in this town. 

VII. Sarah Dorinda, b. July 5, 1819 ; d. unmd. Feb. 

12, 1876. 

VIII. Lois S., b. Nov. 29, 1821 ; md. Benjamin Gush- 

ing, q. V. 
IX. Edwin White, b. April 20, 1824 ; d. Dec. 9, 1839. 
X. William Loring, b. Aug. 2, 1826 ; ujimd. 

XI. Ann A., b. Sept. 10, 1828; md. 1856, Calvin D. 

Strong of Fitchburg, and subsequently of 
Keene ; he d. 1879. 

XII. Jane (twin) , b. and d. Sept. 10, 1828. 



Joshua Holden, with wife Huldah, came to this town 
1770. He was a soldier in the Revolution, serving three 
enlistments ; his wife died Feb. 26, 1795, aged " between 
60 and 70 years." He md. (2d) Oct. 4, 1803, Phebe 
(Austin) Stiles, dau. of Daniel, Jr., and Phebe (Lovejo}') 
Austin of Lunenburg, and widow of Hezekiah Stiles of 
Rindge. After this marriage he resided in Rindge, where 
he d. Dec. 1, 1817. It is probable that Joshua and 

48 



754 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



Huldah Holden had other and older children than the 
three named below. 



I. Joshua, b. 



md. Feb. 3, 1795, Lydia Par- 



ker, and removed to Middlesex, Vt. 
II. Reuben, b. Sept. 13, 1770; md. 1796, Hannah 
Nichols of Royalston. He d. April 4, 1799. 

1. Ivers, b. Nov. 27, 1797. 

III. John, b. April 21, 1773; md. June 30, 1794, 
Anna Perrv. 



James Holden, perhaps a son of Joshua, resided in 
this town until 1804. The name of his wife was Persis. 

I. Sally, b. May 20, 1796. 
II. James, b. June 15, 1798. 



Uriah Holt was in Ashburnham from 1771 to about 
1790 and possibly a few years longer. He served three 
enlistments in the Revolution. Only a few fragments of 
his history can be gleaned from the records. The nimble 
tongue of tradition refuses to fill the open page and little 
has been learned of his early and subsequent record. His 
wife d. in this town Nov. 28, 1779, aged 49 years; he 
md. (2d) June 6, 1785, Sarah Goodridge. 

I. Jonathan, bap. June 14, 1772. 
II. Oliver, bap. Oct. 1, 1775 ; d. Feb. 1, 1779. 



Abiel Holt, son of Abiel Holt of Rindge, was b. 
1790; md. 1815, Edah Darling, dau. of Amos and Ede 
(Stone) Darling of Rindge. They resided in Rindge sev- 
eral years ; subsequently he was a messenger at the State 
House, Boston, several years, and removed to this town 
about 1848, where he d. June 10, 1864 ; his widow d. Oct. 
30, 1864. 

I. Samuel D., b. Sept. 15, 1816 ; md. Jan. 12, 1860, 

Susan R. Harris, dau. of Joseph Harris, q. v. 
II. Edah Stone, b. Feb. 1, 1819 ; d. Jan. 17, 1820. 

III. Abiel Putnam (twin), b. Feb. 1, 1819 ; d. March 

31, 1819. 

IV. Abiel Putnam, b. Feb. 23, 1823; d. July 21, 

1827. 



Liberty Holt, a brother of Abiel, was b. in Rindge 
April 9, 1813. He has been a manufacturer of chairs and 
is now a farmer in this town. He md. Nov., 1838, Lucy 
Wheeler, who d. July 13, 1863 ; he md. (2d) Oct. 30, 
1864, Sarah Haynes. 



10 



9 
10 



<5) 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 7-5 

I. Charles H., b. Aug. 29, 1843 ; mcl. Mary M. Beal 
of Boston ; she d. Feb. 15, 1883 ; he resides in 
Ashburnham. 



James Haynes resided in this town from 1780 to 1814 
His wife Mary d. Aug. 8, 1800; he md. (2d) 1801,' 
Phebe Phelps of Fitchburg. The tax -lists and the record 
of birth of seven children furnish all the information for 
this register. 



I. Achsah, b. June 29, 1781. 
II. Polly, b. April 8, 1783. 
III. Susannah, b. Jan. 9, 1787. 

5 IV. Lucy, b. Jan. 15, 1791. 

6 I V. Sally, b. Dec. 28, 1794. 
VI. Nabby, h. May 24, 1797. 

VII. Ja7nes Lee, b. Feb. 14, 1803. 



Reuben Haynes, said to be from Leominster, with wife 
Charlotte, was here a few years about 1840. 

I. Reuben Wesley, b. March 14, 1840. 



Grant Houston, son of Ovid Houston, was in Tvno-s- 
boro Nov. 18, 1772. He md. June 6, 1796, Patty 
Fletcher^ b. 1778, dau. of Joshua and Elizabeth (Ray- 
mond) Fletcher of Westfield. He removed to this town 
about 1806, where he d. Nov. 8, 1852 ; she d. Feb. 8, 

I. Sarah, b. March 12, 1798 ; md. April 20, 1837, 
Noah Mansfield, son of Levi Mansfield of 
Rindge. He has resided many years at Lane 
Village. She d. Nov. 27, 1858. 

1. Sarah Jane, b. March 25, 1838 ; d. unmd. 

Sept. 11, 1861. 

2. Horace Ovid, b. July 27, 1839 ; md. Jan. 1, 

1865, Persis F. Dearth, b. May 22, 1841, 
dau. of Asa Dearth of Bath, N. H. 
II. Horace Walpole, b. June 23, 1808. -|- 



HoRACE W. Houston was a farmer and for several 
years he owned a saw-mill in the seventh school district. 
He md. Dec. 9, 1829, Catherine Tuckerman who d., leav- 
ing two childi-en, Feb. 14, 1860; md. (2d) Jan. 8, 1861, 
Elizabeth P. Collins; md. (3d) Aug. 9, 1874, Maria J. 
Foss. He d. Jan. 22, 1886. 



756 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



(3) 



9 
10 



11 



(4) 



12 



Julia E.,h. June 22, 1832; md. June 8, 1870, 
James F. West ; resides in Haverhill. Mrs. 
West began to sing; in childhood and with each 
succeeding year her voice improved with culture 
and in volume. For many years she was among 
the best known and favorite soprano singers of 
New England. 

Julius A., b. Nov. 29, 1834; md. July 26, 1861, 
Althea L. Temple of Keene, N. H. He resides 
in South Acton. 



Thomas Howard was b. in Hingham l&ept. 30, 1779. 
He was a son of Thomas and Sarah (Mansfield) Howard 
and a brother of Edward Howard whose son Edward is 
the founder of the Howard Watch Company. Thomas 
Howard md. Jan. 7, 1807, Hannah Wilder of Hingham, 
b. May 22, 1782. They removed to this town 1810. He 
was a farmer and a good citizen. He d. Nov. 3, 1861 ; 
she d. Nov. 14, 1870. 

I. Hannah, b. March 26, 1808; d. Dec. 16, 1828. 

II. Thomas, b. Oct. 28, 1809. + 

III. Samuel TF., b. Aug. 23, 1813. -f- 

IV. Lewis, b. Dec. 1, 1816; resides in Ottawa, HI. 

He md. Jan. 5, 1859, Jane A. Jackson. 

V. George, H., b. Sept. 11, 1818. + 

VI. Mary W., b. Dec. 7, 1820 ; unmd. ; resides in this 

town. 
VII. Lucy M., b. Feb. 19, 1828 ; d. June 14, 1846. 



Thomas Howard md. Dec. 3, 1835, Hannah Elizabeth 
Wright and removed to East Cambridge. He d. Nov. 17, 
1850. 

1. Frank Edson, b. March 12, 1837; d. unmd. 
II. George Henry, b. Nov. 30, 1838 ; md. April 25, 

1861, Charlotte Wickens. He is a bookkeeper 

in East Cambridge. 
III. Thomas Melville, b. Nov. 26, 1844 ; md. Mary 

Mattell ; resides in East Cambridge. 



Samuel W. Howard md. Dec. 15, 1842, Susan Hobart, 
b. Oct. 31, 1821 ; she d. Sept. 22, 1868. He resides in 
this town. He is a carpenter and stone mason. 

I. Charles Hobart, b. July 15, 1845 ; md. Sept. 20, 
1882, Mina A. Gaines, b. Sept. 4, 1856, of 



<6) 



13 
14 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 7.7 

MHler's Falls, dau. of Benjamin and Lydia E. 
(Kendall) Gaines. Residence in Ashburnham. 



George Howard md. March 20, 1862, Catherine 
(Woods) Fairbanks, dau. of Asa Woods, q. v. He is a 
farmer and lives on the homestead. 

I. Herbert George, b. Oct. 21, 1863. 
II. Katie Mabel, b. Aug. 7, 1874. 



Joel Howe md. Experience Fenno and resided in this 
town a few years. His wife d. Feb. 21, 1815. He re- 
moved to Fitchburg. They had a son Charles and a dau. 
Eliza of whom no record has been received. 



Addison Howe, son of Joel and Experience (Fenno) 
Howe, md. Feb. 18, 1835, Ede Ward, dau. of Caleb 
Ward, q. V. They reside in this town. 

I. Eliza if/., b. Nov. 6, 1835; md. Edwin Gates; 

resides in Verona, N. Y. 
II. Elsie A., b. Feb. 24, 1839; md. Nathaniel Ken- 

ney; md. (2d) Abel Stephen Farwell, son of 

Abel Farwell, q. v. 

III. Leroy A., b. May 6, 1841 ; md. Ella Maria Wood, 

dau. of James Wood ; resides in Westminster. 

IV. Amelia E., b. July 14, 1843 ; md. Geo. W. Mar- 

tin ; resides in Peacham, Vt. 
V. Harlan B., b. Feb. 25, 1847 ; md. Flora A. Under- 
wood ; resides in Westminster. 



Perley Howe, son of Perley and Jane T. (Belcher) 
Howe ot Gardner and grandson of Ebenezer and Eliza- 
beth (Deland) Howe of Templeton and Gardner, was b. 
in Gardner Sept. 17, 1811. He md. Nov. 28, 1833, 
Mary P. Whitney, dau. of Joseph G. Whitney of West- 
minster. He IS a farmer and has resided in this town 
since 1834. He has been assessor and selectman several 
years and has acceptably filled other positions of trust. 
He d. June 2, 1882. 

I. Orange E., b. Dec. 23, 1835 ; he is an engineer. 
He md. May ], 1858, Maria A. Platts, dau. of 
John V. Platts, q. v. ; she d. April 29, 1869 ; 
md. (2d) July 12, 1871, Olive C. Shorey of 
Plymouth, Me. 



758 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



10 

11 

12 
13 

14 



15 



1. Edward Perley, b. Dec. 13, 1859. 

2. Mary Louisa, b. March 6, 1866 ; md. 

Ephraim Stone, q. v. 

3. John Varnum, b. Sept. 4, 1868; d. June 

27, 1870. 

Alvah S., b. Aug. 13, 1837 ; md. 1863, L. Annie 
Glazier, dau. of John C. Glazier, q. v. He d. 
in Woonsocket, R. I., Sept. 4, 1877. 

George P., b. March 12, 1847; md. Nov. 17, 
1872, Eliza J. Kelton, dau. of Charles Kelton ; 
md. (2d) Sept. 27, 1881, Mary (Hamilton) 
Pierson ; reside in Chelsea. He is an engineer 
in Boston. 



Eli Howe, a brother of Perley Howe, was b. in Gard- 
ner April 2, 1804 ; md. Mary Severy. He removed to 
this town 1832 and to West Boylston 1872, where he d. 
1883. Mr. Howe was an esteemed citizen. No children. 



Melzar Hudson, b. in Bridgewater April 22, 1771, 
was a son of William and Lucy Hudson. He lived a few 
years in Winchendon and removed to this town about 
1795. In 1797 he was Quartermaster of the Fourth Reg- 
iment of militia, and in subsequent years he was fre- 
quently elected to minor town offices. He was residing 
in this town in 1805, but his name from that date disap- 
pears in the records. In 1811 he was residing in Leom- 
inster, where he d. Aug. 14, 1825. He md. Feb. 19, 
1793, Catherine Gates, dau. of John Gates, q. v. The 
name is written Melzar and Melzer. 

I. Levi, b. May 16. 1793. 
11. Cyrithia, b. Jan. 22, 1795. 

m. G , b. Oct. 26, 1797. 

IV. Charlotte, b. Jan. 12, 1799. 
V. Nelson, b. Feb. 22, 1801 ; d. March 23, 1801. 
VI. George, b. April 2, 1803. 
VII. Jane Taylor, b. June 23, 1817. 



HUNT. 

The families of Hunt who have resided in this town are of one American 
family and are descendants of William Hunt, the emigrant ancestor of the 
Concord family. He was b. in England Hbout 1605, and, with wife Elizabeth 
and two children, he emigrated to America in 1635 and settled in Concord. 
His wife d. Dec. 27, 1661; he md. (2d) 1664, Mercy Rice. This was l.er 
third marriage ; her maiden name was Mercy Hurd ; her first husband was 
Thomas Brigham and her second husband was Edmund Rice. William Hunt 
d. in Marlboro 1667, and his widow d. 1603. The three sons of William and 
Elizabeth Hunt, Nehemiah, Samuel and Isaac, are represented through their 
descents in the family registers of Ashburnham. 



GENEALOGICAL KEGISTER. 



759 



Samuel Hunt, second son of William Hunt, was b. in England 1633 ; he 
md. Elizabeth Redding and settled in Ipswich; his eldest son, Samuel Hunt, 
Jr., was b. Nov. 17, 1G57; md. May 1, 1678, Ruth Todd and removed to 
Tewksbury and d. Jan. 11, 1742-3. His son, Jeremiah Hunt, b. March 27, 
1685, md. Abigail Ilazeltine, dau. of David Hazeltine and resided in Billerica. 
His wife d. March 19, 1721-2; he md. (2d) June 19, 1722, Rebecca Ballard, 
who d. Sept. 21, 1729, and he md. (3d) Aug. 12, 1731, Mary Stewart. He d. 
1737. Sherebiah Hunt, son of Jeremiah and Rebecca (Ballard) Hunt, was 
b. in Billerica April 1, 1726; settled in Lancaster, where he md. April 2, 
1758, Deborah Wilder, b. Nov. 17, 1736, dau. of Joseph and Deborah (Jos- 
lin) Wilder. Among their four children were Dea. Sherebiah Hunt of 
Ashburnham, and Deborah, wife of Elisha White. 

The youngest son of William Hunt of Concord, the emigrant ancestor, was 
Isaac Hunt who was b. in Concord 1617; he md. May 14, 1667, Mary Stone. 
He lived in Concord, where he d. Dec. 12, 1680; his widow md. Nov. 30, 
1681, Eliphalet Fox. Samuel Hunt, son of Isaac, b. in Concord Oct. 26, 
1672, md. May 4, 1695, Eleanor Davis, b. Oct. 22, 1672, dau. of Simon 
Davis. He d. Dec. 15, 1695, and the single tie connecting the generations 
in this line of descent was Samuel Hunt, Jr., posthumous, b. June 11, 1696. 
He settled in Littleton, where he md. Nov. 14, 1716, Dorothy Bulkley, dau. 
of Joseph Bulkley; she d. Nov. 4, 1731, aged 33 years. He d. July 13, 
1739, leaving a widow Dinah, who md. (2d) Dr. Benjamin Sliattuck. The 
youngest child of Samuel and Dorothy (Bulkley) Hunt was Peter Hunt of 
Ashburnham. 

Nehemiah Hunt, eldest son of William Hunt, was b. in England 1631 ; 
md. June 1, 1663, Mary Toll, b. Oct. 8, 1643, dau. of John and Katherine 
Toll of Sudbury. He settled in Concord, where he d. March 6, 1717-8. 
His son, William Hunt, b. 1678, md. Mary Carley and resided in Concord, 
where he d. May 15, 1755. The youngest of six children was Nehemiah 
Hunt, b. 1726; md. April 11, 1762, Submit Bateman and resided in Concord, 
where he d. Nov. 15, 1785; his widow md. Nov. 7, 1787, John Flint of Con- 
cord. There were eleven children of Nehemiah and Submit (Bateman) 
Hunt; the third of these was David Hunt of Ashburnham. 



Dea. Sherebiah Hunt, son of Sherebiah and Dorothy 
(Wilder) Hunt, was b. in Lancaster Jul}' 23, 1758. He 
nid. May 15, 1780, Ruth White of Lancaster, and the 
same year he settled in this town on the farm, now of 
Albert T. Bemis. His wife d. Oct. 30, 1794; he md. 
(2d) April 12, 1796, widow Dorothy (Mirick) Garfield of 
Princeton. She was the mother of Elisha Garfield who 
lived from childhood in this town and d. unmd. Dec. 16, 
1829. The name of Dea. Hunt is familiar to the records 
and traditions of Ashburnham. He was a tithingman 
many years and was frequently elected to office. He was 
respected and loved by his associates. From 1798 to the 
date of his death he was a deacon of the Congregational 
church. He d. March 6, 1826. His widow d. Nov. 7, 
1846. One child by the first and three by the second 
marriage. 

I. Deborah, b. July 21, 1781; md. Dec. 31, 1803, 
Amos Stearns of Winchendon, son of Bartholo- 
mew and Mary (Raymond) Stearns ; she d. in 



760 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



10 



(8) 



Winchendon, leaving seven children, Feb. 7, 
1817; he md. (2d) Sarah (Miller) Maynard, 
widow of Joseph Maynard, q. v. 
II. Dorothy, b. April 18, 1797; d. unmd. Nov. 22, 
1882. 

III. Ruth, b. June 3, 1799 ; resides unmd. in this 

town. 

IV. Charles S., b. Jan. 9, 1802; md. Jan. 9, 1828, 

Mary Ann How Vose, b. Sept. 29, 1810. He 
was a merchant in Boston, where he d., leaving 
nine children, Feb. 12, 1861. 

Peter Hunt, son of Samuel and Dorothy (Bulkley) 
Hunt, was b. in Littleton July 20, 1729. He md. in 
Littleton Dec. 10, 1761, Sarah Leighton, b. 1731, and in 
1779 they removed with four children from Littleton to 
Rindge. Subsequently they removed to Ashburnham, 
where he d. Jan. 13, 1816 ; his widow d. Nov. 29, 1824, 
aged 93 years. 

Sarah Leighton, the wife of Peter Hunt, was a lineal 
descendant of Rev. Dr. Leighton of England, the father 
of Archbishop Leighton. John Leighton, the emigrant 
ancestor, settled in Ipswich 1650. John Leighton, son of 
John and grandson of John, who settled in Ipswich, b. 
1689, md. Sarah Perkins; md. (2d) Hannah Treadwell. 
He was a sea captain many years. Three of his sons 
were lost at sea. In 1748 he removed from Ipswich to 
Littleton with son Francis and daughters Hannah, Martha 
and Sarah. Capt. John Leighton, the father, d. 1773. 
Joanna Leighton, wife of Osgood Eaton, q. v., was a 
dan. of the son Francis who subsequently resided in West- 
ford. 

The four children of Peter and Sarah (Leighton) Hunt 
were b. in Littleton. 

I. Hannah, b. June 11, 1763; md. Abel Hoar of 
Sterling ; she d. Feb. 15, 1822. 
Peter, b. June 8, 1765.4- 

Bulkley, b. Sept. 21, 1768; md. Oct. 8, 1794, 
Betsey Chaplin, dau. of Micah and Betse}' (Phil- 
brick) Chaplin of Rindge. The}^ removed to 
Brandon and subsequently to Leicester, Vt. He 
d. Nov. 28, 1852. 
Dorothy, b. May 7, 1773; resided in West Boyls- 
ton many years ; she d. unmd. May 9, 1866. 



II. 
III. 



IV. 



Peter Hunt, son of Peter and Sarah (Leighton) Hunt, 
was b. in Littleton June 8, 1765. He was a farmer living 



GENEALOGICAL KLGISTEIl. 



761 




THE PKTEU HUNT HOMESTEAD. 



11 

12 
13 



14 
15 



(11) 



upon the farm formerly of Shebnel Hobart, where he d. 
Sept. 8, 1834. He md. Sept. 17, 1809, Kezia (Hobart) 
Peabody, dau. of Daniel Hobart, q. v. She was an intel- 
ligent, superior woman and an affectionate friend and 
mother. She d. Nov. 30, 1833. 

I. Rodney, b. July 6, 1810.+ 
II. Sabra, b. Nov. 22, 1812 ; d. Sept. 26, 1818. 

III. Stillman, b. Jan. 31, 1815 ; name changed to 

Harrison C. Hobart. Vide page 501. He md. 
Feb. 2, 1854, Frances Lowrey of Troy, N. Y., 
who d. March 22, 1855 ; he md. (2d) June 8, 
1857, Anna C. Mower of Boston. 

IV. Taviisen, b. May 12, 1817; md. Samuel H. Ben- 

jamin, son of Daniel Benjamin, g. v. 
V. Peter Thatcher, b. Sept. 9, 1819. Vide page 504. 
Since 1871 he has resided in Denver, Col., 
where he is successfully engaged in stocli and 
commission business. He md. 1869, Phebe 
Hull. They have four children. 



Rodney Hunt was b. in Ashburnhara July 6, 1810. He 
attended the public schools of his native town and with 
filial kindness he assisted his parents through the needs 
of their age and past the years of his minority. He is 



762 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



remembered by the associates of his youth as a generous 
companion and a young man of ardent temperament and 
honorable conduct. For many years he followed the trade 
of a millwright. A half century ago an iron wheel was 
comparatively unknown, the motive power being supplied 
by cumbersome wooden wheels of several well-remem- 
bered patterns. These were constructed on the ground 
where they were to be used and their construction and 
repair furnished employment for a considerable number 
of skilled workmen. In this employment Mr. Hunt not 
only met the demands of the passing hour but made a 
constant and intelligent study of the demands and possi- 
bilities of the future. In the progress of the age iron 
wheels of tested and approved patterns, manufactured in 
quantity at central points, have supplanted the clumsy 
structures of fift3' 3'ears ago. In this revolution, the field 
of many achievements, Mr. Hunt has been a prominent 
actor. He is the founder of the Rodney Hunt Machine 
Company of Orange and president of the corporation. 
Few men have manifested an equal knowledge of water 
power and its proper adjustment to machinery. His life 
has been devoted to these and kindred studies and pur- 
suits, and the success of the corporation is among the fruits 
of his study and perseverance. As a citizen he is held in 
high esteem and has frequently been called to positions of 
trust. He has represented the town of Orange in the 
Legislature and has been at all times an earnest and 
steadfast supporter of the reforms of the age. He md. 
Jan. 5, 1834, Margaret Parker, dau. of Jeremiah Parker 
of Holden ; she d.^Nov. 28, 1865 ; md. (2d) March 19, 
1867, Eliza (Parker) Slate, a sister of his first wife. He 
has resided in Orange since 1840. 



16 



17 

18 

19 



David Hunt, son of Nehemiah and Submit (Bateman) 
Hunt, was b. in Concord June 15, 1766. He came to 
Ashburnhara about 1790. He md. Feb. 21, 1793, Lydia 
Howe of Templeton. The intentions of marriage are 
recorded in this town and in the record he is styled " of 
Ashburnham." At the ensuing annual election of town 
officers, according to a custom of the times, he received the 
notice commonly paid to newly married men by being 
elected hogreave. Not many years later he removed to 
Mason, N. H., where he d. 1848. 

I. Abel, b. Dec. 24, 1794. 
II. Sarah, b. May 2, 1797; md. Sept. 25, 1827, 

Josiah Winship of Mason, N. H. 
III. Mary, b. Feb. 24, 1799. 






/^%#i^, 




Y 



Z^" 




^^^-7^ 



20 


rv. 


21 


V. 


22 


VI, 


23 


VII. 


24 


VIII. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 753 

David F.,h. March 4, 1801. 

Lyclia, b. Feb. 19, 1804. 

Sabrina, b. Jiiue 6, 1806 ; md. 1834, John Fes- 

senden of Westminster. 
Sophia H., b. June 19, 1809. 
Nehemiah A., b. Sept. 27, 1811. 



Rev. Andrew Jaquith was a son of Benjamin and 
Rebecca (Spaulding) Jaquith of Ashby and a grandson 
of Adford and Sarah Jaquith of Ashby, where he was 
b. March 7, 1816. Vide page 513. He md. April 
17, 1842, Abbie G. Warren, b. April 6, 1815, dau. of 
Jacob and Sarah (Hubbard) Warren. He d. Aug. 27, 
1864 ; bis widow resides on the homestead in this town. 

I. Henry Warren, b. Nov. 5, 1844 ; enlisted in 6th 
N. H. Vols, in March, 1862, and d. at Wash- 
ington, D. C, Aug. 13, 1864. 
II. Andrew Benjamin, b. May 16, 1850 ; md. March 
4, 1880, Clara C. Kelley of Wakefield. He re- 
sided in New York and in Washington, D. C, 
where he d. April 12, 1883. 



Cyrus A. Jefts, son of Gilbert and Eliza (Eaton) Jefts 
of Stoddard and Washington, N. H., was b. June 11, 
1834. He md. Sept. 21, 1861, Roxanna Blodget of New 
Ipswich. He is a miller and dealer in lumber at Factory 
Village. 

I. Frederick A., b. Oct. 27, 1865. 
II. Charles J., b. Jan. 6, 1868. 

III. Walter E., b. Sept. 7, 1874. 

IV. Adella May, b. Jan. 19, 1879. 



CoL. Joseph Jewett, son of Edward and Sarah Jewett, 
was b. in Stow May 10, 1761. It is a tradition of the 
family that he was a descendant of the sixth generation 
from Joseph Jewett of Rowley, a brother of Dea. Maxi- 
milian Jewett. Col. Jewett through a long and active 
life was a controlling spirit in this town. Vide page 478. 
He md. April 11, 1786, Sarah Woods, dau. of Samuel 
and Tabitha Woods of Princeton, q. v. He d. May 3, 
1846 ; she d. Feb. 23, 1852. 

I. Ivera, b. May 7, 1788.-f- 
II. Joseph, b. April 30, 1790.-(- 
III. Milton, b. May 31, 1793 ; d. unmd. Oct. 31, 1817. 



764 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



(2) 



V. 
VI. 



Polly Gibbs, b. March 4, 1796; md. Oct. 27, 
1818, Rev. Otis C. AVhiton, b. iu Winchendou 
Sept. 27, 1794, son of Dr. Israel and Dorothy 
(Crosby) Whiton. She d., s. p., Nov. 25, 1824. 
Merrick Augustus, b. Aug. 26, 1798.-|- 
SaraJi Farmer, b. Sept. 4, 1803 ; md. Dec. 14, 
1825, Albert Hobart of Boston ; she d. Oct. 9, 
1838. 



9 
10 
11 
12 
13 



(3) 



Gen. Ivers Jewett resided iu Ashburuham, Fitchburg 
and Mobile, Ala. Vide page 479. He md. Dec. 21, 
1813, Mary Adams, dau. of Ebeuezer Thomas Adams, 
q. V. She d. at Alexandria, La., Oct. 11, 1834; he md. 
(2d) Lydia Adams, a sister of the first wife. lie d. at 
Mobile April 26, 1871. The following register of the 
children is incomplete aud possibl}- fails to name all of 
them. 

I Ivers Thomas, b. Sept. 26, 1814. 

II. Joseph Adams, b. July 4, 1816. 

III. Edwin Milton, b. Aug. 10, 1821. 

IV. George Perkins, bap. 1824 ; d. Jan 28, 1825. 
V. Mary Eliza Whiton, bap. 1826. 

VI. Sarah Woods, bap. 1828. 



Joseph Jewett was a merchant several years at Win- 
chendou Centre, and while a resident of the town was a 
member of the school committee in 1817. Soon after this 
date he removed to Baltimore, Md., and was engaged 
there as a bookseller and publisher and a part of the time 
at least he was associated in business with his brother-in- 
law, Joseph Cushing, lie md. Oct. 8, 1811, Susannah 
Gushing, dau. of Capt. David Cushing, q. v. No record 
of their children has been received. 



<6) 



14 

15 
16 



Rev. Mekuick A. jEWErr for many j'ears was the faith- 
ful and beloved pastor of the First Congregational church 
in Terre Haute, Ind. Vide page 498. He md. Oct. 4, 
1825, Mary Moore, b. Feb. 10, 1807, eldest dau. of Geo. 
W. and Margaret Moore of Baltimore, Md. He d. April 
3, 1874. His widow d. Sept. 5, 1882. Tiiere were nine 
children, seven sons and two daughters, of Rev. Merrick 
A. and Mary (Moore) Jewett. Of these six d. in infancy. 

I. David Moore, b. 1834 ; d. June 14, 1876. 
II. Edioard Duncan, resides in Texas. 
III. Mary M., resides iu New York City. 



(;eneal()(JICal hkgistici;. 



765 




RESIDENCE OF DU. NATHANIEL JEWETT. 



17 



18 
19 



Amory Jewett, b. in Pepperell Aug. 14, 1808, md. 
Lucy E. Diewaide and resided several years in Boston, 
where his children were born. They have resided in this 
town several years. He is a son of Nathaniel and Betsey 
(Hamblet) Jewett of Pepperell, Charlestown and Lexing- 
ton and a grandson of Jedediah Jewett of Pepperell who 
was a descendant of the Rowley family of Jewett. Two 
sons of Araory and Lucy E. (Diewaide) Jewett are 
among the resident physicians of this town. 

I. Amory Jewett, M. D., b. Jan. 17, 1833. Vide 

page 473. 
II. Nathaniel Jeioett, M. D., b. March 10, 1841. 
Vide page 474. 



Timothy Johnson with wife, Sarah, removed to Ash- 
burnham about 1772. He settled near the farm of the 
late Dea, John C. Davis. It is probable that the family 
removed from this town about 1795. He was in the ser- 
vice in Col. Putnam's regiment three years, and in 1778 
the town voted to relieve the necessities of the family. 

I. Sarah, b. Sept. 16, 1774. 
II. Timothy, h. Nov. 29, 1775. 
III. Oliver, h. Dec. 31, 1777. 



766 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



5 
6 
7 
8 
9 

10 



11 



12 



13 



14 

15 

16 
17 



IV. Joshua, h. March 13, 1781. 
V. Levi, b. Dec. 1, 1783. 
VI. John, b. April 19, 1786. 

VII. Benjamin, b. Oct. 18, 1788. 

VIII. Joseph, b. June 25, 1791. 



Moses Johnson was taxed 1770, but his name is not 
renewed in the records. 



Samuel Johnson and wife, Lydia, were here a short 
time during the Revolution. 

I. Abel, b. Oct. 12, 1777. 



Charles Francis Johnson, b. in Westmoreland, N. H., 
Aug. 13, 1821, son of AValker and Philena (Puffer) 
Johnson, md. June 24, 1843, Ruth D. Bemis, b. Oct. 18, 
1822, dau. of William Bemis, q. v. He is a mechanic in 
Ashburnham. 

I. Charles Herbert, b. June 11, 1847; d. June 16, 

1863. 
II. Ida Frances, b. Aug. 24, 1851 ; md. 1875, George 
W. Hurd ; resides in Fitchburg. 

III. Arthur Clesson, b. June 27, 1854 ; d. Dec, 1854. 

IV. Helen M., b. Dec. 14, 1859 ; d. June 5, 1863. 



JONES. 

Enos Jones, an early resident of Ashburnham, was a representative of the 
fifth generation of his family in this country. The emigrant ancestor was 
Lewis J,ones, who was residing in Roxbury in 1645, and removed to Water- 
town about 1650, where he d. April 11, 1684. In his will there is mention of 
his wife, Anna, and several children ; of these Capt. Josiah Jones, b. 1643, 
resided in Watertown and Weston. He was a deacon of the church in Wes- 
ton, and a selectman of Watertown several years previous to the incorpora- 
tion of Weston. He md. Oct. 2, 1667, Lydia Treadway, dau. of Nathaniel 
and Sufferana (How) Treadway of Watertown. He. d. Oct. 9, 1714; she d. 
Sept. 18, 1743. Josiah Jones, b. Oct. 20, 1670, son of Capt. Josiah Jones, 
resided in Weston. In 1715 he was chosen a deacon to succeed his father, but 
he refused the office. He md. Abigail Barnes, b. June 14, 1671, dau. of 
Thomas and Abigail (Goodnow) Barnes of Marlboro'. He d. Dec. 31, 1734; 
his widow d. in Stockbridge Nov. 4, 1749. Their son, William Jones, b. 
Jan. 4, 1706-7, settled in Lunenburg. During the Indian War his house was 
one of the garrisons in the line of fortification. Vide page 75. He was a 
surveyor and frequently employed by the colony. In 1760 he was sent to 
Nova Scotia to survey a township. On his return voyage the vessel was lost 
and he perished at sea, Jan. 26, 1761. He md. Dec. 25, 1733, Sarah Locke, 
b. July 5, 1707, dau. of James and Sarah (Cutter) Locke of Woburn. She 
d. Oct. 20, 1788. Of their children, Enos Jones settled in Ashburnham, and 
Sarah md. Joseph Foster, and their dau., Rebecca Foster, was the wife of 
Isaac Whitmore of this town. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 767 

Enos Jones, son of William and Sarah (Locke) Jones, 
was b. in Lunenburg July 4, 1742. His father, at the 
time of his decease, was the owner of one-half or the whole 
of the Bluefield or Bellows grant in this town. In 1761 
Enos Jones removed to this town and settled on this tract 
of land, of which he subsequently acquired possession. 
Vide pp. 36-39. He was industrious and honest; in his 
home he was hospitable, and among his fellow-men he 
commanded their esteem. When he removed to this town 
some progress had been made in the settlement, a church 
had been organized and a minister had been settled, yet 
the greater portion of the township was unoccupied, and 
his earl}^ home was in a wilderness. In the male lines of 
descent, no representative of his family, bearing his name, 
has resided in this town since the removal of his grand- 
son Dea. Gilman Jones, yet in the collateral branches 
and bearing other names his descendants in this town are 
very numerous. He md. Jan. 20, 1768, Mary Whitmore, 
dau. of Joseph Whitmore, q. v. ; she d. Dec. 24, 1788; 
he md. (2d) Hannah (Adams) Russell, dau. of Capt. 
Thomas Adams, q. v., and widow of Walter Russell. He 
d. Dec. 30, 1824 ; his widow d. Oct. 16, 1836. 

I. Edmund, b. Sept. 13, 1769. -f- 
II. Molly, b. March 31, 1771; md. Silas Willard, 
Esq., q. V. 

III. Nathan, b. April 12, 1773; md. Dec. 15, 1796, 

Betsey Spaulding, dau. of Isaac Spaulding, g. v. 
He resided in Dempster, N. H., and in Sharon, 
Vt. They had ten children ; one d. in child- 
hood and nine removed to Ohio and other West- 
ern States; he d. at Cold Spring, Shelby Co., 
111., May 14, 1852. 

IV. Sally, b. May 21, 1775; md. Dec. 5, 1798, Dea. 

John Taylor, b. Feb. 26, 1773, son of Thaddeus 
and Bridget (Walton) Taylor of Dunstable and 
New Ipswich. They resided in Dempster, N. 
H., where she d., leaving nine children, Dec. 13, 
1831. Hed. 1864. 

V. Dolly, b. May 28, 1777 ; md. Jonathan Wood, (/. v. 

VI. Lucy, b. May 20, 1779 ; md. Joshua Fletcher, q. v. 

VII. Persis, b. Nov. 20, 1781 ; md. Oct. 24, 1805, 

Samuel TaA^or, b. Oct. 12, 1781, a son of 
Thaddeus and Bridget (Walton) Taylor. He 
was a farmer in New Ipswich, near the Ashburn- 
ham line. He d. Jan. 4, 1864 ; she d. Sept. 1, 
1869 ; nine children, among them Charles Tay- 
lor, who md. 1841, Harriet N. Weston, dau. of 
James Weston, q. v. 



768 



HISTORY or ASHBURNHAM. 



9 
10 



(2) 



11 
12 



13 



14 



15 



16 



17 



18 



(10) 



VIII. Eunice, b. Jan. 5, 1784 ; md. John Eaton, q. v. 
IX. Daniel, b. Dec. 23, 1788.+ 



Edmund Jones md. Sept. 19, 1799, Caty Taylor, b. 
Feb. 16, 1775, a sister of Dea. John and Samuel Taylor 
who md. sisters of Edmund Jones. He was a farmer, 
residing on a part of the Bellows grant and west of the 
residence of his father. His wife d. Jan. 6, 1831 ; he md. 
(2d) 1832, Betsey Eaton. He d. Jan. 17, 1853. 

I. Oilman, b. Dec. 4, 1800. + 

II. Taa,h. June 1, 1803; md. 1835, Eliphaz Allen, 
b. March 29, 1797, son of Eliphaz and Eunice 
(Putnam) Allen of Rindge, his third marriage. 
They resided in Rindge and in Jaffrej', N. H., 
where he d. July 10, 1848 ; his widow d. March 
11, 1858. She was the mother of four children. 

III. Caroline, b. Oct. 30, 1808 ; md. Nov. 23, 1847, 

Ezra Hudson ; she was his fourth wife ; a 
former wife of Mr. Hudson was Sarah Brooks, 
dau. of Thaddeus Brooks. He resided in Tem- 
pleton. 

IV. Christopher, b. March 31, 1812; md. April 7, 

1839, Mary Ward, dau. of Caleb Ward, q. v. 
He d. April 9, 1843 ; she md. (2d) Jan. 4, 
1853, Addison Bancroft of Rindge. Of Chris- 
topher and Mary (Ward) Jones there were 
three children. 

1. Catherine Taylor, b. Jan. 26, 1840; md. 

Cleros S. Converse, b. March 13, 1846, 
son of Lucius M. and Cynthia (Sawtell) 
Converse of Rindge. They reside in 
Horicon, Wis. 

2. Homer Swain, b. Dec. 29, 1841 ; after 

the death of his father, he was adopted by 
his uncle, Dea. Oilman Jones ; resides 
at Horicon, Wis. 

3. Mary Mersylvia, b. Dec. 4, 1843 ; md. 

March 21, 1865, Martin L. Manzer ; 
reside in Winchendon. 

V. Cynthia, b. Oct. 16, 1820 ; d. unmd. Jan 6, 1849. 



Dea. Daniel Jones was a farmer and resided upon the 
homestead. He was an affable, upright man, blend- 
ing kindness with firmness ; he commanded the love and 
respect of his associates. He was a deacon of the 



19 

20 



21 
22 



23 



(11) 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 75^ 

Congregational church from 1824 until 1843 when he 
united with the Union church at the North Village. He 
md. July 9, 1811, Rachel Converse, b. Oct. 12, 1788, dau. 
of Zebulon and Sarah (Merriam) Converse of Rindge. 
He d. March 14, 1843 ; his widow subsequently resided 
several years in Wincliendon and d. in Ayer April, 1873. 

I. 3Iary, b. March 2G, 1813 ; d. unmd. Aug. 30, 1846. 

II. Sultyna^ b. April 26, 1815 ; md. June 2, 1840, 
Asa E. Woods, son of Sewell and Anna (Whit- 
aker) Woods; they resided in Mason, N. H., 
where he d. July 25, 1850 ; she md. (2d) Ezra 
H. Sawtell, son of Asa Sawtell, q. v. 

III. Eliza, b. Oct. 4, 1821 ; d. Feb. 22, 1824. 

IV. Eliza Rachel, b. Aug. 1, 1826; md. Jan. 3, 1854, 

Horace O. Whitcher, son of Jeremiah and Per- 
sis (Craige) AYhitcher ; reside in Barton, Vt. 
V. Daniel Wayland, b. Jan, 14, 1829. He is a success- 
ful physician in Newton. These lines arranged 
for a place in Chap. XX, were inadvertently 
omitted in that connection. Dr. Jones was 
a student in the office of Dr. Ira Russell of 
Winchendon and is a graduate of the Medical 
Department of the University of New York, re- 
ceiving his degree in March, 1852. The same 
year he located in Rindge where he was well 
received and the recipient of a liberal measure 
of practice. In 1855 he removed to Newton, 
where he continued in active practice several 
years. He is now in Boston. He md. July 13, 
1853, Minerva A. Tyler, dau. of Ephraim and 
Mary (Bissell) Tyler ; she d. Jan. 31, 1858; 
md. (2d) Dec. 24, 1860, Josephine D. Bullard, 
dau. of Elias and Persis (Daniels) Bullard of 
Holliston ; she d. May 25, 1871. 

Dea. Gilman Jones resided in Ashburnham until 1857, 
when he removed to Wisconsin. In early life he was a 
farmer and subsequently in connection with Col. Enoch 
Whitmore he was engaged in the manufacture of spools 
and other woodware. He was an original member of the 
church in North Ashburnham and was a deacon several 
years. Mr. Jones was an early abolitionist and a stal- 
wart advocate of temperance. In all affairs of a social 
and public character he answered his convictions which 
were the full expression of an upright character and a 
sj'mpathetic nature. He md. Feb. 8, 1827, Sylvia Ward, 
dau. of Dea. Samuel Ward, g. v. He resides at Horicon, 
Wis. No children. 

49 



770 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



JONES. 

Nathan Jones, No. 24 in the following; register, and his descendants are 
not related to the Enos Jones family. The emigrant ancestor of this family 
was John Jones, who is found a resident of Cambridge 1648, and subse- 
quently of Concord. He d. June 22, 1073, and his widow, Dorcas, md. (2d) 
William Buss of Concord. John Jones, son of John and Dorcas Jones, b. 
July 6, 1656, md. March 5, 1681, Sarah Farwell and not Sarah Temple, as 
given by Shattuck, dau. of John and Sarah (Wheeler) Farwell. He d. in 
Concord Feb. 14, 1725-6. John Jones, son of John and Sarah (Farwell) 
Jones, b. in Concord Jan. 6, 1690, md. July 25, 1716, Anna Brooks, b. Feb. 
21, 1695-6, dau. of Daniel and Ann (Merriam) Brooks. He d. March 12, 
1762; she d. June 9, 1753. Among the children of John and Anna (Brooks) 
Jones was Ebenezer Jones, b. in Concord Dec. 8, 1726; he md. Jan. 22, 
1750, Mary Wheeler. They were the parents of fifteen children. About the 
date of marriage he removed to Bedford, and in 1762 or 1763 he removed to 
Princeton. He was styled Major, and was prominent in public affairs. An 
elevation of land in Princeton, called Jones' Hill, indicates the location of his 
farm. He d. in Princeton 1779 ; his wife survived him about five years. 



24 



31 



32 
33 
34 

35 



Nathan Jones, son of Major Ebenezer Jones of Bed- 
ford and Princeton, was b. in Bedford April 21, 1753. 
He md. Oct. 4, 1774, Mercy Parmenter of Rutland, b. 
July 27, 1753. They resided in Princeton, where eight of 
their ten children were born, until 1794, when they 
removed to Ashburnham and settled in the north part of 
the town. He was an industrious man, of retiring man- 
ner. The forces of his nature were fully employed in the 
support of a large family. He d. April 8, 1827 ; his 
widow d. Dec. 27, 1835. 

Nathan, b. April 13, 1775; resided in Vermont 
and subsequently in Michigan ; had a family. 

Mary, b. Oct. 17, 1777; md. Capt. Corse; 

resided at Moretown, Vt. 

Benjamin, b. Dec. 11, 1779. 

Uicy, b. June 2, 1782 ; d. July 11, 1782. 

John, b. Nov. 24, 1783.+ 

Anna, b. Jan. 21, 1787; md. Elias Lane, son of 
Col. Francis Lane, q. v. 

Ebenezer, b. July 26, 1789; md. 1822, Lucinda 
Peed, dau. of Suppl}^ Reed of Acworth, and a 
sister of the wife of Nahum Benjamin. He 
resided on the homestead where he d. Sept. 1, 
1825 ; his widow went to Council Bluffs where 
her brother, John Reed, was a Mormon preacher. 

1. Eliza, b. and d. Sept. 15, 1823. 

2. S3'lvia. 

3. Charles. 

VIII. Abel Parmenter, b. March 13, 1792 ; removed to 



25 


I 


26 


II 


27 


III 


28 


IV 


29 


V 


30 


VI 



VII. 



36 
37 
38 
39 

40 

41 

42 
43 



44 
45 
46 
47 
48 



49 



(29) 



50 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 771 

Westford, where he md. Mary Corey, b. Feb. 
22, 1795, dan. of Abel Corey. He met with 
financial losses and returned to this town where 
he d. Jan. 13, 1836. His widow d. Oct. 22, 
1862. 

1. Harriet A., b. Aug. 30, 1817. 

2. Eliza C, b. Feb. 11, 1819. 

3. Mary J., b. Jan. 3, 1821. 

4. Lucy L., b. Sept. 18, 1822; d. May 11, 

1840. 

5. Sarah B., b. Sept. 19, 1824; d. Sept. 22, 

1830. 

6. William A., b. Sept. 23, 1827; d. Oct. 4, 

1847. 

7. George P., b. Jan. 7, 1830. 

ix. Betsey, b. July 24, 1795 ; md. Oct. 16, 1827, 
Aaron E. Hadley, and resided several years in 
this town and subsequently in Burlington and 
Montpelier, Vt. 

1. Edwin W., b. 1829. 

2. Isaac C. 

3. Mary A. 

4. Rebecca J. 

5. Henry H., b. Jan. 4, 1840; md. June 9, 

1872, Martha E. (Winkley) Delano; 
resides at North Ashburnham. He was 
in Kansas in 1856, and in the affray at 
Lawrence. He served in the Civil War. 

X. Wilder, b. July 2, 1798 ; resided in Boston ; had a 
family, but no record is at hand. 



Capt. John Jones md. Dec. 17, 1809, Lucy Lane, dau. 
of Col. Francis Lane, q. v., and removed to Dublin, N. H., 
where he d. May 3, 1849. He was a lieutenant in the 
war of 1812 and subsequently a captain of the militia. 
He was frequently called to positions of trust and in his 
daily life he commanded the respect of his associates. His 
widow d. March 24, 1873. 

I. Frederick, b. July 20, 1813. He is a graduate of 
Harvard University, 1835 ; a regular graduate 
in medicine and has received degrees A. M., 
M. D., from Dartmouth College. Dr. Jones 
practised his profession a short time in this 
town previous to a removal to New Ipswich, 



772 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



51 



52 

53 

54 
55 

56 
57 



where he has been successfully engaged in pro- 
fessional labor. P'or many years he has occu- 
pied a prominent position in the profession, and 
is frequently employed in the surrounding 
towns. He md. Feb. 20, 1845, Caroline 
Frances Gibson, b. in New Ipswich Feb. 2, 
1824, dau. of Dr. Stillman Gibson of New Ips- 
wich. They have one son and one daughter. 

1. Frederic William, b. Jan. 9, 1848; a 

graduate of Dartmouth College 1869, 
and Medical Department of the Univer- 
sity of New York ; engaged in the prac- 
tice of his profession in New Ipswich ; 
md. May 31, 1881, Harriet A. Perry. 

2. C. Frances, b. June 1, 1852 ; she has pro- 

duced abundant fruits of taste and ability 
in painting and drawing. 

Lucy A., b. Nov. 20, 1819; was a successful 
teacher ; md. May 14, 1848, Eri J. Spaulding 
of Troy, N. H. ; she d. Feb. 14, 1861. 

1. Lucy Ann, b. March 19, 1849; d. June 

12, 1862. 

2. Ellen C, b. Aug. 16, 1851 ; md. May 1, 

1877, William L. Morse, a graduate of 
Harvard University 1877. He is of the 
firm of Morse & Bigelow, Marlboro'. 

3. Albert E., b. May 9, 1853; principal of 

High School, Frinceville, 111. ; d. Oct. 
4, 1875. 

4. Abbie C, b. Aug. 21, 1857; md. Aug. 

24, 1878, Dudley Philbrick ; reside in 
Brighton. 



JOSLIN. 

The families of Joslin in this town at an early date were from Leominster. 
Only one of them remained in Ashburnham beyond a few years. They were 
of the fifth generation from Thomas Joslin who signed the Lancaster Cove- 
nant Sept. 12, 1G54. This Thomas with wife Rebecca and five children set- 
tled in Hingham in 1635, and subsequently removed to Lancaster, which at 
that time included Leominster, where the families of Joslin have been numer- 
ous, and some of them were among the original owners of land in this town. 
Among the children of John and Lucy Joslin were three who became resi- 
dents of this town: Abijah, b. Jan. 2-1, 1744-5; James, b. July 31, 1747, and 
Samuel, b. March 11, 1752. 



Capt. Abijah Joslin, then a young, unmarried man, 
removed to this town soon after the date of incorporation. 
He md. Jan. 5, 1768, Keziah Farrar of Townsend, and 



CxENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 773 

settled in the south or southeast part of the town. In 
1774 he was a member of the committee of correspond- 
ence, and was chosen by the town captain of the militia. 
At the annual meetings he was at different times elected 
to office and appears to have been the recipient of a rea- 
sonable measure of the confidence and respect of his 
townsmen. In 1804 the family removed to Verona, 
N. Y., where some of the older children had previously 
settled. 

I. AbijaJi, b. Jan. 3, 1770 ; md. Anna Smith. 
II. Keziah, b. June 8, 1771 ; md. Joseph Blackman. 

III. Sarah, b. Dec. 29, 1772 ; md. Nov. 3, 1795, Peter 

Andrew Wilder. 

IV. Ephraim, b. Aug. 28, 1774; md. Mehitabel Cag- 

win. 
V. George Washington, b. April 18, 1776 ; md. 1803, 

Rhoda Corey, dan. of Hezekiah Corey, q. v. ; 

removed to Verona, N. Y. He d. Aug. 16, 

1828, aged 52. 
Lucy, b. Aug. 20, 1778 ; d. Nov. 20, 1780. 
Isaac Farrar, b. Feb. 25, 1780; d. March 28, 

1799. 
John, bap. March 30, 1782. 
Eunice, bap. Aug. 30, 1783; md. 1807, Thomas 

Cagwin. 
Nahum, bap. April 13, 1790; md. Sarah Jones. 
Nancy, bap. March 18, 1792; d. March 6, 1795. 
Sophia, bap. Oct. 18, 1795 ; md. Elijah Blackman. 



V 


VI. 


8 


VII. 


9 


VIII. 


10 


IX. 


11 


X. 


12 


XI. 


13 


XII. 



14 



15 

16 
17 

18 



Samuel Joslin, a brother of Capt. Abijah Joslin, came 
to Ashburnham previous to 1770. He is on the roll of 
Capt. Gates' company 1775. He resided in this town a 
few years and about 1790 settled in Jaffrey, N. H. It is 
probable that he lived in some other place between his 
residence in this town and his removal to Jaffrey. He d. 
in Jaffrey, Nov. 17, 1815 ; he md. in this town July 18, 
1776, Elizabeth Wilder, dan. of Joseph W^ilder of Leom- 
inster; she d. Dec. 14, 1821. Three children. 

I. Lucy, b. ; md. Millot Ellis ; removed to 

Oberlin, Ohio. 
II. Thomas, removed to Oberlin. 
III. Betsey, removed to Oberlin. 

James Joslin, brother of Capt. Abijah and Samuel, md. 
in Leominster Jan. 8, 1767, Mary Daby, and removed to 
this town soon after. They united with the church Oct. 



774 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



19 
20 



14, 1770. It is certain that they resided in Leominster, 
after a few j'ears in this town, but there is no record of 
any transfer of their church relations. The only existing 
tax list of that period is for the year 1771 which bears 
his name. Two children were b. in Ashburnham and 
others in Leominster. 

I. James, bap. Oct. 11, 1770; md. 1792, Relief 

Carter. 
II. 3IoUy (twin), bap. Oct. 11, 1770; md. William 
Burrage. 



William Joyner came from Sudbury and remained an 
active and influential citizen of this town from 1763 to 
1769. At the first town meeting in Ashburnham he was 
chosen assessor, and the three succeeding years he was 
the town clerk. He ind. in Sudbury March 18, 1745, 
Hannah Bowker. The records of this town afford no 
additional information. 



Capt. Samuel Kelton, son of Edward and Mary Kel- 
ton, was b. in Dorchester Nov. 26, 1741. After his mar- 
riage he settled in Needham, and as earl}' as 1775 he be- 
gan to improve land in this town which formerly had been 
owned by his father. At the Lexington alarm he was a 
sergeant in Capt. Aaron Smith's company, and during 
the remainder of the year he was a captain in Col. Patter- 
son's regiment, participating in the siege of Boston. In 
the following year, 1776, he removed to this town, and in 
1785 his homestead was included in the new town of 
Gardner. He was a man of intelligence and character, 
and was prominent in town affairs. While he remained a 
resident of this town his name is often met in the records, 
and subsequently in Gardner, he was an influential and 
honored citizen. He md. Jan. 5, 1769, Molly Leeds, b. 
Oct. 2, 1749. She d. in Gardner Feb. 5, 1824; he d. 
March 29, 1821. 

I. Samuel, b. March 1, 1770; d. Sept. 16, 1775. 
II. Lemuel, b. Sept. 22, 1771 ; md. March 6, 1796, 
Patty Angier, dau. of Timothy Angier, q. v. 
They resided in this town and in Gardner, 
w^here she d. 1842. He d. Oct 2, 1863. Three 
children. 

III. Edward, b. June 13, 1773 ; d. Sept. 25, 1775. 

IV. Ebenezer, b. March 12, 1775; d. Sept. 12, 1775. 
V. Esther, b. Oct. 20, 1776; d. uumd. in Gardner 

July 6, 1843. 



9 
10 

11 

12 
13 

14 
15 

16 
17 

18 

<12) 
19 
20 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 775 

VI. Samuel, b. Oct. 25, 1778 ; d. Nov. 30, 1780. 
VII.. Enos, b. Feb. 3, 1781 ; md. July 11, 1814, Dolly 
Winchester, dau. of Jonathan Winchester, q. v. 
They resided in Gardner. He d. May 20, 1858, 
She d. Feb. 2, 1864. 

1. Louisa, b. July 18, 1815; md. Augustus 

E. Houghton ; he d. in Milford, N. H. 
She resides in this town. 

2. George, b. April 19, 1817; md. Sept. 1, 

1842, Sopia Adams, b. Oct. 16, 1818, 
dau. of Daniel and Dinah (Metcalf) 
Adams of Gardner. He d. April 1, 
1877; she d. Dec. 15, 1879. 

3. Selina, b. Sept. 25, 1820; md. May 9, 

1850, Nathan W. Cram. 

4. Charles, b. Dec. 21, 1821.-}- 

5. Lucinda, b. Oct. 6, 1825. 

VIII. William, b. Aug. 24, 1883 ; d. in Gardner unmd. 
Jan. 20, 1853. 
IX. Eliam, b. Oct. 25, 1785; md. May 29, 1826, 
Sophia Hosley, b. in Hancock, N. H., Jan. 26, 
1801. They resided in this town from 1828 to 
1.832, and subsequently in Gardner, where he d. 
Aug. 24, 1865 ; she d. April 22, 1879. 

1. David, b. June 25, 1827, has resided man}' 

3 ears in Gardner, and is now a resident 
of this town. 

2. Nancy, b. Jan. 22, 1831 ; md. Jan. 10, 

1854, Leander Knowlton ; she d. in 
Worcester June 21, 1883. 

X. Mary, b. Oct. 18, 1791 ; md. Stillman Holden, 
and resided many years in Gardner ; she d. 
Sept. 15, 1865 ; he resides in Erviug. 



Charles Kelton md. Oct. 4, 1842, Susan Reed. He 
is a farmer, living on the P^mory Fairbanks farm. Six 
children. 

I. Laura, b. July 16, 1843 ; md. George W. Reed, 
b. March 2, 1837, son of Jacob Reed of West- 
ford ; reside in this town. 

1. Hattie M., b. March 1, 1858; md. July 
12, 1878, Alfred H. Gushing, son of 
Benjamin Gushing, q. v. 



776 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



21 

22 
23 

24 

25 
26 

27 
28 



2. Eva R., b. Sept. 27, 1<S68; md. Feb. 18, 

1886, William F. Wnlther. 

3. Alvin, b. Oct. 10, 1878. 

4. Lottie, b. Oct. 7, 1880. 

II. Charles Otis, b. Aug. 2G, 1845 ; md. 1867, Emma 
A. Reed. 

III, Amasa W., b. June 18, 1848. 

IV. Eliza J., b. Oct. 2, 1851 ; md. Nov. 17, 1872, 

George P. Howe, son of Perley Howe, q. v. 
V. Luella, b. June 12, 1855 ; md. Wilbur W. Page. 
VI. George H., b. Oct. 16, 1858. 



Benjamin Kemp, wife Judith and three children re- 
moved to this town from Chelmsford in June, 1770. The 
family disappear after a few years. The Chelmsford 
records announce the birth of four children. It is prob- 
able that John d. previous to 1770, as he is not named in 
the warrant of caution against a settlement. 

I. Judith, b. in Chelmsford Feb. 10, 1762. 
II. Benjamin, b. in Chelmsford Feb. 22, 1764. 

III. John, b. in Chelmsford May 19, 1766. 

IV. Martha, b. in Chelmsford Aug. 27, 1768. 
V. James, b. in Ashburnham Feb. 3, 1771. 

VI. Kezia, b. in Ashburnham Aug. 8, 1773. 



Amos Kendall removed to this town between 1770 and 
1775, and settled in the north part of the town. He dis- 
appears from the records within a few 3- ears. There were 
other Kendalls in this town and all of them possibly were 
sons of Amos. All the information that is gleaned from 
the records is here presented. A dau., Eunice, was 
bap. May 7, 1775. 



Amos Kendall, Jr., md. May 28, 1777, Molly Willard, 
and disappears from the records. 



Francis Kendall d. in Sept., 1777, as recorded by 
Mr. Cushing, "on his way home from ye army." 



William Kendall md. probably before the family re- 
moved to this town. The name of his wife was Polly. 
He removed from town about 1806. 



I. William, b. May 24, 1775. 
II. Mary, b. July 22, 1777. 



9 
10 

11 



12 
13 
14 
15 
16 

17 



18 
19 

20 

21 
22 

23 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 777 

III. Nancy, b. Nov. 27, 1781. 

IV. Moses, b. Sept. 7, 1784. 
V. Lydia, b. Sept. 16, 1789. 

VI. Philip, b. Aug. 24, 1799. 



Caleb Kendall md. in Shrewsbury Dec. 8, 1773, 
Pnscilla Townsend, dau. of Josbua Townsend, q. v. He 
resided in Shrewsbury several years, and removed to thi& 
town previous to 1787. He md. (2d) April 15, 1788, 
Lucy Kendall of Lancaster, and in 1792 he removed to 
Winohendon. 

I. Priscilla, b. Jan. 20, 1777. 
II. Caleb, b. Jan. 25, 1779. 

III. Lucy, bap. June 14, 1789. 

IV. David, bap. May 29, 1791. 
V. Samuel, b. Oct. 11, 1792. 



Alvin Kendall, son of Martin and Prudence Ken- 
dall and a grandson of Benjamin and Kezia (Twichell) 
Kendall of Sherburne and Gardner, wasb. Dec. 13, 1805. 
He md. Nov. 29, 1832, Hannah Bemis, dau. of William 
Bemis, q. v. He was formerly engaged in the manufac- 
ture of chairs in the Central Village. He d. in this town 
Feb. 8, 1849 ; his widow d. in Milford, N. H., June 11, 
1886. 

I. Mary M.,h. Jan. 17, 1834; md. Nov. 27, 1852, 
George E. Sawtell, son of Caleb Sawtell, 
q. V. ; they reside in Milford, N. H. 
II. Hannah Elizabeth, b. Sept. 9, 1836 ; md. 1854, 
Frederick P. Brown of Winchendon ; she d. 
Feb. 12, 1859. 

III. Lorette, b. Jan. 3, 1840; unmd. ; resides in Mil- 

ford, N. II. 

IV. Martin, b. Oct. 3, 1841 ; d. Nov. 18, 1846. 

V. TreaZ%, b. Sept. 25, 1844 ; md. May 23, 1861, 
Albert T. Willard, son of Alonzo L. Willard, 
q. V. ; reside in Bethel, Vt. 
VI. Abbie Maria, b. Dec. 20, 1846 ; md. Nov. 9, 1876, 
Jacob Kendall; resided in Temple, N. H., 
where she d. June 17, 1883. 



Samuel Keyes, b. Dec. 18, 1784, son of Ephraim and 
Bridget (Sawyer) Keyes of Plymouth, N. H., and a 
grandson of Ephraim Kej-es, was the first of the name in 
this town. He rad. Dec. 5, 1811, Abigail Benjamin, dau. 
of Daniel Benjamin, q. v. They removed to Weston and 



778 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



10 



II. 
III. 



lY. 



VI. 



VII. 



later to Plymouth, N. H., but returned to Ashburnham 
1820. He was a farmer and lived on a farm in the north 
part of the town, frequently called the Benjamin farm. 
He d. March 16, 1868 ; she d. Feb 16, 1869. 

I. Almira, b. March 1-3, 1813 ; md. 1838, James 
Cooper of Jamaica Plain ; she d. about 1827. 

John T. G., b. Nov. 10, 1814; d. Aug. 14, 1829. 

Samuel H., b. Aug. 13, 1816; md. 1841, Eliza- 
beth C. Newell of Lynn ; a farmer ; he d. in 
this town March 31, 1843. 

Da7iiel B., b. Oct. 22, 1818; md. Mary Jane 
Stevens; d. Aug. 14, 1856, in Boston. 

Elizabeth J., b. Aug. 27, 1822 ; md. James Cooper 
of Weston. 

Sarah B., b. Oct. 19, 1824 ; md. Lewis K. Ward, 
son of Jacob Ward, q. v. 

Charles S., b. Feb. 23, 1827 ; resides unmd. in this 
town. 
VIII. Catherine W., b. July 13, 1832; md. Feb. 26, 
1854, Otis P. Butler of Rindge, son of Jabez 
and Betsey (Boyden) Butler ; she d. April 7, 
1880. 
IX. Caroline W. (twin), b. July 13, 1832; md. Nov. 
15, 1870, Aaron S. Sawtell, son of Aaron and 
Ruth (Metcalf) Sawtell of Rindge ; she d. Oct. 
4, 1878. 

John Kibling, one of the German emigrants, was an 
early settler in this town. The name was written Kiblin- 
ger through two generations, and in this form the name 
appears in the early chapters of this volume. He was b. 
in Germany 1722, and in 1758, being one of the seven 
original proprietors of the Lexington grant, he removed 
to this town. He settled upon land since known as the 
Constantine farm, and in 1785 he exchanged farms with 
Jacob Constantine and removed to the farm now of Alden 
B. Marble. He was a man of recognized character and 
ability. He was a selectman nine years between 1765 
and 1777, the dates of incorporation and of his death. 
His wife, Catherine (Wolfe) Kiblinger, lives in the tradi- 
tions of the town as an intelligent and accomplished lady. 
He d. April 4, 1777; shed. .at the home of one of her 
children in Vermont March 28, 1821, aged 91. 

I. Jacob, b. Dec. 14, 1753.-J- 
II. John, b. Sept. 3, 1755.-|- 
III. Catherine, b. Nov. 27, 1757 ; md. Samuel Salter, 

q. V. 



5 


IV 


6 


V 


7 


VI 


8 


VII 


9 


VIII 


10 


IX. 



(2) 



<3) 



18 
19 
20 

(10) 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 779 

Jane^ b. March 12, 1760; md. Jonathan Law- 
rence, q. V. 

Elizabeth, b. April 24, 1763 ; md. Jan. 19, 1785, 
Humphrey Rood of Hartland, Vt. 

Sa7'ah, b. Jul}' 14, 1765. 

Margaret, b. 1767; d. Dec. 5, 1768. This was 
the first death recorded by Mr. Gushing. Alas ! 
how many since. 

Hannah, b. Oct. 18, 1769; md. 1789, Nathaniel 
Kendall of Windsor, Vt. 

Henry, b. May 15, 1768. -f 

Dea. Jacob Kiblinger, upon whom the mantle of his 
father appeared to fall, was one of the influential men of 
the town. He was a selectman many years and accept- 
ably filled many other positions of trust. He was a dea- 
con of the Baptist organization, with which several fami- 
lies of this town were connected. For many years the town 
chose tithingmen and supplemented the record with the 
choice of Dea. Jacob Kiblinger, tithingman for the Baptists. 
His name is borne on the Revolutionary rolls, serving at 
least three enlistments which are stated in Chapter V. 
About 1802 he removed to Stafford, Vt., where he d. 
1839. He md. Feb. 21, 1777, Sarah Coolidge, dau. of 
Elisha Coolidge, q. v. 

John, b. May 9, 1778.+ 

Sarah, b. Feb. 3, 1780 ; md. Bundy. 

Katy, b. May 3, 1782 ; md. Sylvanus Graves. 
Jacob, b. Nov. 9, 1784; md. Sally Slyfield. 
Betty, b. March 16, 1793; md. Benjamin George. 
VI. Sylvia, b. Oct. 15, 1795 ; md. Thomas Haselton. 
Stillma7i, b. March 26, 1800 ; md. Adaline Hatch. 

John Kibling md. July 6, 1778, Betty Fisher, and 
removed from this town to Vermont, about 1786. He 
was a soldier in the Revolution. Vide Chap. V. 

I. John, b. Jan. 20, 1779. 
II. Jeremiah, b. Oct. 17, 1781. 
III. Josiah, b. May 25, 1783. 

Capt. Henry Kibling was a captain of the militia com- 
pany in 1801. In the War of 1812 he was in the service 
in a Vermont regiment. About this time he suffered the 
amputation of a leg on account of an improper treatment 
of a broken bone. With a substitute of wood his move- 
ments were strong and rapid. He md. Jan. 1, 1799, 



11 


I. 


12 


II. 


13 


III. 


14 


IV. 


15 


V. 


16 


VI. 


17 


VII. 



780 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



21 
22 



23 
24 



25 
26 



27 
28 



(11) 



29 
30 



31 

32 

33 



Sukey Hobart, dau. of Shebuel Hobart, q. v. In the 
record of births her name is written Susannah. He d. 
Jan. 28, 1843. 

I. /Susan, b. Dec. 27, 1799 ; md. Harvey Heald, q. v. 
II. Hobart F., b. March 2, 1802 ; md. Eleanor Craw- 
ford of Malone, N. Y. They buried three little 
children in July, 1832. He removed from town 
1833, and has not since been heard fi'om. 

III. Henry, b. April 24, 1804.-]- 

IV. George IF., b. March 26, 1810, resided in Ash- 

burnhara until 1842, when he removed to Han- 
over, N. H., where he still resides and has there 
been successfully engaged in business. He md. 
Sarah Fisher and has children : Harriet, Eliza- 
beth and George. 
V. Osman, b. July 21, 1812 ; d. Sept. 29, 1825. 
VI. Joseph ^., b. "Sept. 20, 1814; md. 1835, Elvira 
Norris of Jaffrey, N. H. ; md. (2d) Dora Har- 
low of Portland, Me. ; md. (3d) 1871, Mary 
Evans Carson of Portland, Oregon. He d. at 
Portland, Oregon, April 15, 1879. 
VII. Cyrene, b. Dec. 27, 1816; md. George Baker^ 

q. V. 
VIII. Orilla, b. March 9, 1820 ; md. 1837, George W. 
Townsend. They resided in this town where 
she d. Aug. 2, 1844. He md. (2d) Abigail 
Lane, dau. of Elias Lane, q. v. 



John Kibling, son of Dea. Jacob, md. Nov. 20, 1800, 
Sarah Lane, dau. of Col. Francis Lane, q. v. He was 
a farmer in New Hampshire and Vermont, and subse- 
quently at Lane Village. He d. Jan. 17, 1846 ; she d. 
Aug. 19, 1865. 

I. Francis, b. Feb. 10, 1801. -f 

II. Clarissa H, b. Aug. 16, 1802; md. Oct. 14,. 
1820, Mansel Haselton ; md. (2d) Jan. 17, 
1828, Nathan King of Shirley ; he d. June 23, 
1860. 

III. Hepsihetlu b. 1805 ; d. Nov., 1815. 

IV. Emeline, b. March 24, 1807 ; md. Samuel Foster, 

son of Nathaniel Foster, q. v. 
V. 3Iirancla,h. Jan. 27, 1813; md. Oct. 29, 1835, 
Joseph A. Gibson, b. in New Ipswich Oct. 29, 
1835, son of Dr. Stillman Gibson. They re- 
sided in New Ipswich, where he d. Feb. 22, 
1875. 



34 

35 

36 

37 

38 

39 
40 

41 
42 



43 
44 

(23) 



45 

46 
47 

48 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 731 

1. J. Stillraan, b. Jan. 27, 1837; md. Oct. 

27, 1864, Lucinda J. Foskett. 

2. Angelia M., b. Aug. 10, 1838; md. Aug. 

27, 1864, Levi S. Wright. 

3. Hemy M., b. March 20, 1840 ; d. March 

9, 1841. 

4. Annie M., b. July 10, 1842; md. 1869, 

Richard J. Hargreaves. 

5. Sarah R., b April 8, 1845; md. July 6, 

1879, George W. Shattuck. 

6. Frederic J., b. Dec. 28, 1848. 

7. Elsie E., b. Dec. 19, 1851 ; d. June 27, 

1874. 

8. L. Angenette, b. March 10, 1855. 

VI. Lucy Ann, b. July 8, 1820; md. 1841, Horace L. 
Balcom, b. in Leverett Jan. 23, 1815, son of 
Reuben and Elizabeth (Hartvvell) Balcom ; re- 
sided in Ashburnham, where she d. Aug. 5, 
1855 ; he md. (2d) Nov. 16, 1856, Jeanette D. 
Ketchum, b. in Milton, Vt., Sept. 5, 1821. 
There are two children of Horace L. and Lucy 
(Kibling) Balcom. 

1. Francis S., b. Oct. 1, 1843; md. Addie 

Rugg. 

2. Elsie Maria, b. Aug. 16, 1848 ; md. 1869, 

Adelbert A. Bradford, son of Austin A. 
Bradford. Reside in Rindse. 



Capt. Henry Kibling, Jr., was an active citizen of this 
town until his removal to Dublin in 1862 or 1863. He was 
a popular officer in the Light Infantry and an account of 
this service appears in Chap. XVIH. He md. June 7, 
1829, Mary Jewett Woods, dau. of John Woods, q. v. ; 
she d. Aug. 10, 1848 ; md. (2d) Jan. 10, 1849, Maria C. 
Peabody, b. Sept. 4, 1828 ; she d. Aug. 17, 1853 ; md. 
(3d) Jan. 12, 1854, Ellen L. Peabody, b. Oct. 31, 1826 ; 
she d. Dec. 7, 1857 ; md. (4th) May 4, 1858, Eliza (Mar- 
shall) Matthews, b. July 25, 1804 ; she d. Aug. 27, 1880 ; 
he d. July 7, 1884. 

I. Mary Elizabeth, b. Nov. 5, 1830; d. June 17, 

1846. 
II. Henry Osman, b. May 22, 1832 ; d. July 30, 1854. 

III. Josei-)h Heald, b. March 16, 1834; d. May 22, 

1854. 

IV. Elvira Amanda, b. Feb. 27, 1836 ; d. Aug. 15, 

1854. 



782 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



49 
50 

51 

52 

53 



(29) 



54 

55 
56 



2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 



V. Emily Amelia, b. April 24, 1838 ; d. Oct. 1, 1839. 
VI. Edivard Atkinson, h. Feb. 23, 1841 ; d. Oct. 22, 

1841. 
VII. Alfred Miller, h. Oct. 13, 1849; railroad engineer, 

Boston. 
VIII. Erlon Arthur, b. June 28, 1851 ; railroad engineer, 
Boston. 
IX. Flora Maria, b. May 28, 1853 ; md. 1873, Charles 
G. Matthews of Hancock, N. H. ; she d. Oct. 
20, 1881. 



Francis Kibling, son of John, md. Feb. 23, 1825, 
Waity Lawrence, dau. of Moses Lawrence, g. v. He 
resided at Lane Village. His wife d. Dec. 12, 1860 ; he 
md. (2d) Dec. 15, 1861, Paulina (Locke) Streeter, widow 
of Thomas Streeter of Rindge. He d. Aug. 13, 1878 ; 
his widow resides in Fitchburg. 

I. Elsie L., b. March 23, 1826 ; md. Dr. Alfred Mil- 
ler, q. V. 
II. J. Augustus, b. Aug., 1828 ; md. Mary Hastings. 
III. Francis G., b. Nov., 1832 ; md. March 18, 1858, 
Laura A. Whitmore, dau. of Col. Enoch Whit- 
more, q. V. Enlisted in 21st Regiment; d. in 
the service Feb. 22, 1864. 

b. June 17, 1860; d. Aug. 7, 

, b. April 20, 1862. 
b. Jan. 18, 1864. 



57 


1. Luella J. 




1868. 


58 


2. Walter B 


59 


3. Frank A. 



Daniel Knight md. Esther Fairbanks, dau. of Phinehas 
Fairbanks, and removed from Harvard to this town 1788. 
The family disappear from the records about 1812. Of 
some families we can easiW learn more than we want to 
know, but of this one the shades of night conceal the 
record. Only a fragmentar}^ account of the children can 
be given. 

I. Daniel, b. 1786; d. Sept. 13, 1803. 
II. Folly Dickinson, bap. Nov. 23, 1788. 

III. Phinehas Fairbanks, bap. April 3, 1796. 

IV. William, bap. April 3, 1796. 
V. Sarah, bap. April 3, 1796. 

VI. Cyr^is, bap. Oct. 20, 1805. 

VII. Daniel, bap. Oct. 20, 1805. 

VIII. Stedman, bap. Sept. 13, 1807. 

IX. Infant, d. Dec. 19, 1810. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



783 



11 



12 



13 
U 



15 

16 
17 
18 



X. Infant (twin), d. Dec. 19, 1810. 
A chiki of Daniel and Esther Kniglit, d, Sept. 21, 1805. 



Samuel Knight, b. 1776, removed to Fitzwilliam, N. 
H., 1830, and four years later he came to this town. He 
was an innholder at Central Village, and subsequently 
resided at Factory Village. His wife, Catherine, d. Nov. 
30, 1842. He md. (2d) Aug. 29, 1843, Madamoisella 
(Townsend) Dunster, q. v. He d. Aug. 18, 1850 ; she 
md. (3d) Sept. 5, 1851, Samuel Keyes of Temple, N. H., 
who d. Nov. 5, 1852; she d. in Ashby Nov. 25, 1881. 
The only children of Samuel and Catherine Knight of 
whom any record appears were as follows : 



Samuel D., b. 

town. 
Israel TF., b. 



- ; resided several years in this 

• ; he was the proprietor several 
years of the Central House and of the coaches 
running to Ashburnham Junction. He md. 
1836, Tryphosa M. Moore of Leverett. She d. 
Oct. 1, 1841; md. (2d) May 30, 1843, Mary 
A. Wheeler of Ashby ; he d. Sept. 5, 1858 ; she 
md. (2d) Nov. 22, 1860, S. Oilman Frost of 
Fitchburg. 

1. James M., b. Aug. 26, 1837; md. 1858, 

Charlotte Kidder; d. in Keene, N. H., 
May 21, 1883. 

2. Persis A. W., b. April 14, 1840 ; d. Sept. 

20, 1848. 

3. Charles M., b. March 29, 1846 ; d. Sept. 

22, 1846. 

4. "Cynthia E., b. June 5, 1848 ; md. Dec. 7, 

1868, George A. Upton (Adams 85) ; 
she d. May 28, 1885. 



LANE. 

The Lane families of this town are descendants of John Lane who d. in 
Bedford Dec. 7, 1789, aged 69. The earlier American generations are clearly- 
stated in Hazen's History of Billerica, from which the following outline is 
drawn. Job Lane, an English emigrant, b. 1034, was a resident of Maiden 
in 1654. He was a carpenter, and built a house in New London, Conn., in 
payment of the Winthrop farm of 1500 acres in Billerica, of wliich he 
acquired possession in 1664. About this time he removed to Billerica, and 
in 1608 he built the great bridge across Concord river. After a residence of 
twenty years in Billerica he returned to Maiden, \iFhere he d. Aug. 23, 1697. 
He owned an estate in England which he bequeathed to his son, John. His 
first wife was Sarah, who d. 1659; he md. (2d) 1660, Anna Royner, dau. of 
Rev. John Reyner of Plymouth and Dover, N. H. ; she d. Aug. 30, 1704, 
, aged 72. 



784 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



John Lane, son of Job and Anna (Reyner) Lane, was b. in Maiden in Oct., 
IGGL lie was an only son and he inlierited one-half the Winthrop farm in 
Billerica where he resided. lie was a colonel of the militia, and was promi- 
nent in the Indian wars and alarms of that period, and was a selectman 
eleven years. He rad. March 20, 1G81-2, Susanna AVhipple, dau. of John 
"Whipple of Ipswich ; she d. Aug. 4, 1713 ; he d. in the midst of an honorable 
career Jan. 17, 1714-15. 

Job Lane, son of John and Susanna (Whipple) Lane, was b. in Billerica 
June 22, 1G8!) ; md. Dec. IG, 1713, Martha Ruggles, b. in Roxbury, dau. of 
Samuel and Martha (Woodbridge) Ruggles and a sister of Rev. Samuel 
Ruggles of Billerica. He inherited the homestead and lived in Billerica, 
where he d. after 17G2. 

John Lane, son of Job and Martha (Ruggles) Lane, b. Oct. 2, 1720, 
removed to Bedford and was there an influential citizen. He md. Feb. 13, 
1745-G, Ruth Bowman, b. in Lexington Dec. 23, 1723, dau. of John and Mary 
(Stone) Bowman; shed. Aug. 13, 1759. He md. (2d) May 28, 17G1, Mrs. 
Sarah Hildreth. There were eight children by the first and three by the 
second marriage. 



Col. Francis Lane, son of John and Ruth (Bowman) 
Lane, was b. in Bedford Aug. 31, 1750. As a soldier in 
the Revolution his familiar name first appears in the records 
of Ashburnham. lie was a corporal in Capt. Gates' com- 
pany in April, 1775, and he served as a sergeant in Capt. 
Wilder' s company to the close of the year. As early as 
1779 he was a lieutenant, and July 1, 1781, he was com- 
missioned a captain of the militia. During the Revolution 
the regimental and line officers were also provost officers, 
and to them were directed the frequent orders for raising 
men and the adjustment of quotas. Subsequently he was 
a major and a lieutenant-colonel until his resignation in 
1792. Col. Lane removed to Ashburnham in the spring 
of 1775 or earlier. He was a farmer and a miller. For 
several years he lived on the " Hart Place," and then 
removed to Lane Village, where he built and conducted a 
saw and grain mill. For many years he was prominent 
in town affairs, and his name frequently appears in the list 
of town officers. During the later years of his life he 
mingled less freely with his townsmen, and his name is 
seldom met in the records. He md. Sept. 30, 1779, Hep- 
sibah Coolidge, b. in Waltham March 9, 1754, dau. of 
Capt. William and Elizabeth (Brown) Coolidge ; she d. 
March 14, 1795. He md. (2d) 1801, Sarah (Cushing) 
Burr, widow of John Burr of Winchendon, and dau. of 
.Joseph and Sarah (Leavitt) Cushing. He d. May 1, 1823. 

I. John Coolidge, b. July 2, 1781 ; d. Sept. IG, 1781. 
II. Sarah, b. June 11, 1782 ; md. John Kibling, g. v. 

III. Lucy, b. July 6, 1783 ; md. John Jones, q. v. 

IV. Elias, b. Feb. 21, 1785.-f- 

V. Abigail, b. June 1, 1786 ; d. Aug. 31, 178G. 
VI. Francis, b. Aug. 20, 1787.-f- 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 785 

VII. Abigail, b. May 20, 1789; d. unmd. Dec. 13, 

1813. 
viii. John, b. May 15, 1791 ; d. March 19, 1792. 
IX. John, b. Oct. 9, 1792.+ 



Elias Lane md. Sept. 3, 1809, Anna Jones, dau. of 
Nathan Jones, q. v. lie was a farmer and a miller, 
residing near the school-house in the tenth district. He 
was a selectman, and was elected to other positions of 
trust. He d. Aug. 20, 1859 ; she d. March 30, 1853. 

I. Elias Conliclge, b. Dec. 30, 1809 ; md. Sept. 20, 
1835, Mary Farwell ; removed to Gloucester, 
Me., where he d. Aug., 1878. 
II. Sarah Ann, b. March 2, 1811 ; d. unmd. Feb. 28, 
1862. 

III. George Etheridge, b. April 22, 1812 ; md. Jan. 15, 

1840, Mary J. Emory, dau. of Enos Emory, 
q. V. They reside in Fitchburg. 

IV. Gilbert Bainbridge, b. June 17, 1813 ; md. Eliza 

A. Jones, and removed to Chelsea, Vt., where 
he d. June 9, 1860. 
V. Edwin Philander, b. Dec. 28, 1814; d. unmd. in 
Gloucester, Me., Aug. 30, 1838. 

VI. Charles Stillman, b. March 2, 1816 ; md. Nov. 17, 
184-, Honor Goodrich ; md. (2d) Helen (Pet- 
tis) Lawton ; resides in Brattleboro', Vt. 
VII. Lorenzo Alexander, b. March 26, 1817; md. 
Rebecca Brown ; he d. in Ashburnham Feb. 12, 
1881 ; she d. the same day, Feb. 12, 1881. 
VIII. Abigail Amanda, b. May 25, 1818 ; md. Nov. 26, 
1845, George W. Townsend ; she d. Feb. 19, 
1884. 

IX. Mary Jones, b. July 27, 1820; d.' April 1, 1839. 

X. Marcus Aurelius, b. June 2, 1822 ; md. Amanda 
Ogden ; resides in Glens Falls, N. Y. 

XI. Eliza Maria, b. June 25, 1823; md. Oct. 11, 

1848, Charles Henry Emory, son of Enos 
Emory, q. v. 

XII. Abraham Lowe, b. Nov. 23, 1824 ; d. unmd. in 

Rindge May 4, 1863. 
XIII. Nancy Augusta, b. March 24, 1826 ; md. Feb. 8, 

1849, Henry A. Smith, b. June 5, 1817, son of 
H-enry and Ascnath (Rand) Smith of Rindge ; 
resided in Townsend, Rindge and Franklin ; she 
d. Sept. 9, 1883. 

XIV. Marilla Jane, b. July 1, 1827 ; md. Nov. 24, 1850, 

Pascal P. Emory, son of Enos Emor}', q. v. 
50 



786 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



25 

(7) 

26 

27 

28 
29 

30 

31 

32 

33 

34 



35 

36 
37 

38 
39 



XV. Lucy Matilflo., b. June 30, 1829 ; mcl. Francis A. 
Whitney, son of Ohio Whitney, q. v. 



Francis Lane was a captain of the militia. He was a 
man of good judgment and was successful in the conduct 
of the mill at Lane Village. He md. Nov. 11, 1811, 
Susannah Foster, dau. of Samuel Foster, q. v. He d. 
Oct. 11, 1856 ; she d. March 15, 1867. 

I. Alle7i Frcmcis, b. March 24, 1812 ; md. Oct. 28, 
1840, Laura P. Tyler. He was a farmer and a 
mechanic. He d. Dec. 3, 1886 ; resided on the 
Timothy Fisher place. 

1. Henry T., b. Sept. 20, 1841 ; he d. in the 

service in the Civil War, Oct. 29, 1864. 

2. Infant, b. May 8, 1843 ; d. May 18, 1843. 

3. Laura A., b. Nov. 25, 1844 ; md. William 

Richardson of Fitchburg. 

4. Emma L., b. April 8, 1847; d. Sept. 1, 

1847. 

5. Ellen M.,b. Oct. 25, 1849 ; md. Nov. 27, 

1879, Charles T. Harding of Fitchburg. 

6. Albert, b. March 22, 1853 ; md. June 19, 

1881, Ada E. Lyndes ; resides in W^est- 
minster. 

7. James A., b. Nov. 18, 1854 ; md. Dec. 17, 

1881, Carrie Belle Mclutire, dau. of 
Robert W. Mclntire, q. v.; a carpenter 
at Lane Village. 

8. Francis W., b. Oct. 24, 1858; Dartmouth 

College 1881 ; an Examiner of Pensions. 
Vide page 508. He md. Dec. 26, 1881, 
Gertrude D. Kilbourne, dau. of Lewis 
S. and Gertrude B. (Dewey) Kilbourne 
of Litchfield, Conn. 

9. Justin E., b. April 8, 1861 ; d. June 17, 

1861. 

II. Hepsibah, b. June 14, 1813 ; md. Aug. 3, 1843, 

Israel A. Packard, q. v. 
III. Amos F., b. Jan. 30, 1815; md. June 26, 1839, 

Martha Ward, dau. of Nathaniel D. Ward, q.v. 

He d. March 7, 1878 ; she d. Jan. 28, 1862. 

1. William W., b. Nov. 7, 1841; unmd. ; 

resides in Ashburnham. 

2. Albert Francis, b. Feb. 24, 1844 ; d. Sept. 

16, 1847. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 787 

40 3. Sarah N., b. April 8, 1846; d. Sept. 14, 
1847. 

41 4. George F., b. Oct. 15, 1848; resides in 
Kingston ; md. Sept. 28, 1878, Abbie 
Maglathlin, who d. Jan. 23, 1880 ; md. 
(2d) March 6, 1881, D. Marinda 
Keevy. Two children. He is a mer- 
chant and postmaster. 

42 5. Elmira J., b. Dec. 30, 1850; md. 

Walker ; resides in Minnesota. 

43 6. Oman F., b. March 31, 1853; unmd. ; 
resides in Ashburnham. 

44 7. MaryE., b. May 25, 1856; md. Charles 
A. Haven, son of Elijah Haven, q. v. 

45 8. Walter A., b. July 19, 1858; resides in 
Kingston ; md. Sept. 9, 1883, Eva T. 
Wright. Two children. 

46 9. Samuel A., b. July 26, 1860; d. Sept. 3, 
1860. 

47 10. John F., b. Aug. 22, 1861 ; d. April 28, 
1864. 

48 IV. Samuel, b. May 21, 1817; md. Dec. 30, 1841, 
Nancy H. Eaton, b. April 18, 1822, dau. of 
Joel Eaton of Fitchburg. He d. Nov. 6, 1856 ; 
she md. (2d) Jan. 1, 1861, Charles B. Jones, 
son of John E. and Cynthia (Lincoln) Jones. 
They reside at Lane Village. 

49 1. JoelE.,b. April 18,1843; d. Jan 1,1859. 

50 2. Mary S., b. Jan. 20, 1845; d. Dec. 5, 
1845. 

51 3. S. Edward, b. Oct. 18, 1846 ; md. June 3, 
1866, Edna L. Pierce ; resides in Roy- 
alston. 

52 4. Frederick D.,b. July 4, 1849 ; Dartmouth 
College 1878 ; an instructor in Cushing 
Academy. Vide page 508. 

53 5. Susetta M., b. Oct 20, 1850; d. Dec. 23, 
1858. 

54 V. Milton, h. Feb. 27, 1819 ; md. Nov. 5, 1851, Mary 
Parkhurst, b. Aug. 1, 1831 ; she d. Oct. 25, 
1863; md. (2d) Jan., 1867, Jane (Pierce) 

Flagg; he d. 1876 ; she md. J. Chauncey 

Lawrence, q. v. 

55 1. Ella M., b. Sept. 10, 1855; unmd.; 
resides in Rindge. 



788 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



56 

57 

58 

59 
60 

61 

62 

63 
64 

65 

66 

67 



68 
69 

70 



71 



2. Hattie P., b. Dec. 16, 1857; unmd. ; 

resides in Fitchburg. 

3. Genery M., b. Oct. 19, 1860; resides in 

Ashburnham. 

4. Delia M., b. March 25, 1863; resides in 

Ashburnham. 

5. Gertrude E., b. Nov. 4, 1867. 

6. Herbert L., b. Nov. 20, 1869. 

VI. Leonard, h. AprW 21, 1821; md. June 4, 1856, 

Lucy Pollard, dau. of William Pollard, q. v. ; 
resides on the Samuel Cutting farm. 

1. Ada Estella, b. May 10, 1859; d. Jan. 1, 
1863. 

VII. Hosea, b. April 20, 1823 ; d. Aug. 7, 1828. 

VIII. Stisan W., b. Jan. 23, 1825; unmd.; resides in 
Ashburnham. 

IX. Rebecca Clarissa, b, Jan. 29, 1827; md. Merrick 

Eaton, son of Josiah Eaton, q. v. 

X. Eleanor Jane, b. Jan. 27, 1829 ; md. Daniel W. 

Lane, son of Benjamin Lane, Jr., q. v. 

XI. Hosea Foster, b. Feb. 7, 1831. For thirty years 

he has been the efficient principal of the Tem- 
pleton High School. He md. Aug. 16, 1858, 
Elizabeth E. Fairbanks, dau. of Emory Fair- 
banks, q. V. 

1. Charles H., b. Sept. 14, 1859. 

2. Arthur Francis, b. July 17, 1861 ; d. Oct. 

17, 1862. 

XII. Charles W., b. Aug. 15, 1833 ; md. Oct. 31, 

1867, Philena (Howard) Packard, b. Jan. 20, 
1834, widow of Horace C. Packard and dau. of 
Josiah Howard of Hinsdale, N. H. He resides 
on the homestead. 

1. Harry Charles, b. Jan. 29, 1872. 



(10) John Lane md. April 10, 1822, Anna Cook, dau. of 
John Cook, q. v. He resided on the Henry Willard farm 
now owned by his daughter. He d. Dec. 13, 1845 ; she 
d. Aug. 27, 1851. 



72 



73 



I. 3Iary A., b. Oct. 12, 1832; md. William H. 
Emorj", q. V. 

Lieut. Benjamin Lane, a brother of Col. Francis, was 
b. in Bedford March 17, 1754. He came to Ashburn- 



83 



84 



85 



<75) 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 789 

ham iu the spring of 1780, and settled on the road leading 
from the old common to the " Children of the Woods." 
The premises are still known as the Benjamin Lane place. 
While he was clearing land and building a house for him- 
self he boarded with his brother, and when the house was 
burned he lost his clothing except one suit, which was 
probably the best one, as he was attending church at the 
time of the fire. In 1781 he was chosen an agent to pro- 
cure the beef levied as a tax upon the towns of the State, 
and subsequently his name is often found in the records 
of town meetings. He md. Anna Page ; she d. Sept. 4, 
1784; he md. (2d) May 26, 1785, Isabel Hill, b. Dec. 3, 
1761, dau. of Jonathan and Mary (Lane) Hill of Biller- 
ica, and a sister of Ralph Hill of Ashby. He d. Dec. 20, 
1835 ; his wife d. Jan. 1, 1833. 

I. Dolly, b. Oct. 18, 1780; d. Jan. 20, 1784. 

Josiah, b. March 28, 1782. -|- 

Isabel, b. July 7, 1788 ; d. unmd. Feb. 13, 1825. 

Benjamin, b. 1786 ; d. July 31, 1791. 

Dolly, b. May 22, 1790 ; md. July 25, 1826, Ben- 
jamin Howard of Ashby ; she d. Nov. 3, 1833. 

Anna, b. April 29, 1792 ; md. June 28, 1812, 
William Stearns. 

Roxanna, b. Oct. 4, 1793; md. John Cook, Jr., 
q. V. 

Benjamin, b. June 23, 1795.-|- 

Lucincla, b. Dec. 11, 1797; md. 1823, John W. 
Cutting of Weston ; she d. April 20, 1854. 

Susan, b. Oct. 29, 1799; md. March, 1831, Ben- 
jamin Jaquith of Ashby ; md. (2d) Nathaniel 
Swain ; she d. Oct. 6, 1880. 

Sally, b. Oct. 8, 1801 ; md. Dec. 28, 1828, Frank- 
lin Stearns of Billerica, b. Jan. 25, 1802, son of 
John and Mary (Lane) Stearns and a brother 
of Gov. Onslow Stearns of New Hampshire. 
Six children. 

Melinda, b. May 21, 1804; md. Nov. 29, 1838, 
Benjamin Ward, q. v. 



74 


I. 


75 


II. 


76 


III. 


77 


IV. 


78 


v. 


79 


VI. 


80 


VII. 


81 


VIII. 


82 


IX. 



Josiah Lane md. March 28, 1805, Nancy Wilder, dau. 
of Caleb Wilder, q. v. They resided in this town until 
1828, when with nine children, leaving four little graves 
in the cemetery, they removed to Cambridge. While a 
resident of this town he established and conducted a post 
route between Ashburnham and Worcester. He d. in 
Anoka, Minn., Feb. 28, 1876, aged 9 4 years. His wife 
d. in Somerville, May 4, 1853. 



790 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



86 

87 

88 
89 
90 
91 

92 

93 

94 

95 
96 

97 

98 



(81) 



99 



100 

101 
102 

103 
104 



I. Jxdia Ann Cushing,h. Oct. 7, 1805 ; md. Jan. 22^ 
1835, H. A. Harriugton ; d. in Anoka, Minu., 
Feb. 10, 1881. 

II. 31ary Jane Woodward, b. July 19, 1807: md. 
John L. Prather. 

III. Charles IF., b. Jan. 31, 1809 ; d. Dec. 2, 1809. 

IV. George V., b. Nov. 28, 1810; d. Oct. 7, 1813. 

V. Nancy IF., b. Feb. 28, 1812; d. Dec. 2, 1813. 
VI. Alexander Page, b. Aug. 30, 1814; md. 1836, 

Anna M. Favor ; resides at Eureka Springs, Ark. 

VII. Augristus Joy,h.T>GC. 26, 1815; md. 1841, Susan 
Skidmore; d. atWilbraham Oct. 11, 1880. 

VIII. Electa Frances Wilder, b. June 19, 1817; md. 
Dec. 31, 1837, Aquilla Willette ; d. in Daven- 
port, Iowa, Sept. 2, 1839. 

IX. David Hyslop, b. April 2, 1820 ; md. July 13, 

1845, Harriet L. Bettinson ; d. in Anoka, Minn., 
Nov. 13, 1878. 

X. Joseph Hayden, b. Oct. 25, 1822 ; md. Hester 

Prather ; resides at Chicago, 111. 

XI. George S. W., b. Sept. 15, 1824; d. Feb. 15, 

1825. 
XII. John S. W. (twin), b. Sept. 15, 1824; md. 
Dec. 31, 1848, Sarah Cushing ; resides at Bos- 
ton. 
XIII. TJiomas Parkman Cushing, b. May 30, 1827 ; md. 
Dec. 18, 1861, Helen M. Rose; resides at 
Mattoon, 111, 



Benjamin Lane md. Dec, 1823, Abigail Walker, dau. 
of John and Mary (Stratton) Walker of New Ipswich. 
He was a farmer. He d. Oct. 18, 18S0. 

I. Daniel Walker, b. Dec. 4, 1824; md. Feb. 9, 
1852, Jerusha E. Bemis ; she d. Sept. 3, 1872 ; 
he md. (2d) April 23, 1874, Eleanor J. Lane,, 
dau. of Francis Lane, Jr., q. v. He is a farmer. 

1. Loretta, b. Dec. 14, 1852; d. Jan. 27, 

1853. 

2. Cyrus W., b. Feb. 23, 1854. 

3. Minerva L., b. March 15, 1857. 

II. Sarah, b. Aug. 8, 1827; d. Jan. 13, 1828. 
III. Martin B. Lane, b. Sept. 4, 1828; md. Nov. 1^ 
1865, Carrie N. Adams, b. July 29, 1846, dau. 
of Capt. William Adams of Townsend. He 
was several years a merchant in this town, and 
is now a salesman. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



791 



105 
106 
107 
108 
109 

110 



HI 

112 
113 
114 

115 



116 



1. Heiirv Martin, b. Nov. 28, 1867. 

2. Willie Frank, b. July 22, 1870. 

3. Abbott Benjamin, b. Jan. 4, 1876. 

4. Mabel Augusta, b. June 7, 1879. 

5. Orrie Adams, b. April 1, 1884. 

IV. George, b. Sept. 23, 1829 ; md. Aug. 27, 1860, 
Mary A. Castella, b. March 15, 1837. He is a 
merchant in Newton. 
V. Sarah Abigail, b. March 31, 1831; md. Oct. 5, 
1865, Joseph Hague ; reside in Maiden. 

VI. Mary Ann, b. April 5, 1832 ; d. July 5, 1842. 

VII. Emeline, b. June 20, 1834; d. July"l3, 1854. 
VIII. Sophronia Asenath, b. Oct. 20, 1835 ; d. Oct. 17, 
1863. 

IX. Sewell Stearns, b. Aug. 28, 1838 ; md. Feb. 7» 
1867, Sarah Josephine Lovett of New Ipswich, 
b. Jan. 17, 1843. He is a merchant in Gardner. 

WiLLARD Lane, lineage not traced, md. Nov. 28, 1782, 
Lucy Stone, dau. of Oliver Stone, q. v. He lived in Fitz- 
william, N. H., a short time and removed to Ashburn- 
ham in 1783 and began tanning in Central Village. He 
sold the tan -yard to Dea. William J. Lawrence in 1797, 
and soon after removed from town. He d. March 15, 
1818 ; his widow d. Jan. 13, 1832. They did not die in 
this town. No record of children, if any, has been found, 
except the death of an infant March 13, 1786. 



LAWRENCE. 

The name of Lawrence Iihs been continued in this town without interrup- 
tion since 1775. In addition to a few transient residents there are four dis- 
tinct families of Lawrence in this town, and all are descendants of John 
Lawrence the emigrant ancestor. Amos Lawrence (No. 1) and tlie father of 
Dea. William J. Lawrence (No. 42) were first cousins; they also were first 
cousins of Dea. Samuel Lawrence of Groton, the father of Hon. Abbott 
Lawrence. Alethon Lawrence (No. 46) and Jeremiah, the father of Jeremiah 
Lawrence (No. 78) were second cousins; but Elnathan and Jeremiah Law- 
rence on the one hand and Amos and Dea. William J. Lawrence on the other 
were remotely connected, having been descended from diff"erent sons of the 
emigrant ancestor. A brief record of the generations is given. 

John Lawrence, son of Henry and Mary Lawrence, bap. at Wisset, Eng- 
land, Oct. 8, lf!09, is found a resident of Watertown in 1636. He was ad- 
mitted freeman April 17, 1(!;57. In 1602 he removed to Groton and was 

chosen to the first board of selectmen in that town. He md. Elizabeth , 

by whom he had thirteen children; she d. at Groton Aug. 20, 1G63 ; he md. 
(2d) Nov. 2, l(!(i4, Susannah Batchelder who was the mother of two chil- 
dren ; he d. at Groton July 11, 1667; his widow d. July 8, 1668. 

Dea. Nathaniel Lawrence, son of John and Elizabeth Lawrence, was b. at 
Watertown, Oct. 15, 1639. He resided in Sudbury, Groton and Lexington. 
While a resident of Groton, he was a deacon, a representative and was i)rom- 
inent in public affairs. He md. March 13, 1660-1, Sarah Morse, h. Sept. 16, 
1643, dau. of John and Hannah (Phillips) Morse of Dedhani. He md. (2d) 



792 HISTORY OP^ ASHBURNHAM. 

Hannah . He d. at Sudbury April H, 1724. Anions the children of 

Dea. Nathaniel and Sarah (Morse) Lawrence was John Lawrence, b. July 
29, 1667. He was a farmer and a blacksmith in Groton until 1693, when he 
removed to Lexington, and there was an assessor, constable and selectman. 
He md. Nov. 9, 1687, Anna Tarbell, b. June 10, 1670, dau. of Thomas, Jr., 
and Anna (Longley) Tarbell. He d. March 12, 1746-7; his wife d. Dec. 19, 
1732. Benjamin liawrence, son of John and Anna (Tarbell) Lawrence, b. 
May 24, 1713, md. Feb. 12, 1734-5, Jane Russell, b. July 19, 1711, dau. of 
Jonathan and Elizabeth Russell of Lexington. He resided in Lexington, 
Westboro', and in 1749 he removed to Boston. He d. in Harvard July 5, 
1767; his widow came to Ashburnham with her son Amos (No. 1) and d. 
here Aug. 11, 1786, aged, says Mr. Gushing, 73 years. 

Another son of John and Anna (Tarbell) Lawrence of Groton and Lexing- 
ton, was Jonathan Lawrence, b. Feb. 13, bap. Feb 24, 1706. He lived in 
Sudbury, Framingham, and about 1740 he removed to Lexington where he 
was frequently elected to office. He md. Feb. 26, 1727, Elizabeth Swain. 
He d. March 19, 1773; his widow d. July 4, 1790. In his will appears a 
clause, " I give my negroes among all my children to be settled among them 
as they shall agree." There were ten children ami among them was Jonathan 
Lawrence, b. in Framingham Feb. 5, 1734. He settled first in Woburu, 
where he md. Dec. 13, 1737, Elizabeth Johnson. In 1773 or 1774, with six 
children, they removed from Woburn to Ashby, where he d. Nov. 26, 1799; 
his wife d. Dec. 26, 1782; he md. (2d) 1784, Lydia Davis. Dea. William J. 
Lawrence (No. 42) was a son of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Johnson) Lawrence. 

A younger son of John Lawrence, the emigrant ancestor, was Peleg Law- 
rence, b. Jan. 10, 1646-7; md. 1668, Elizabeth Morse, b. Sept. 1, 1647, a 
sister of the wife of his brother, Dea. Nathaniel. He resided in Groton, 
where he d. 1692. Major Eleazer Lawrence, son of Peleg and Elizabeth 
(Morse) Lawrence, was b. in Groton Feb. 28, 1674. He resided in Groton, 
until after 1722, and there by wife Mary his ten children were b. Subse- 
quently he removed to Littleton, where he was an influential citizen several 
years. He d. at Pepperell, probably at the home of his eldest son. March 9, 
1754; his widow d. June 29, 1761, aged 82. Samuel Lawrence, son of 
Major Eleazer, b. in Groton May 2, 1714, md. May 6, 1737, Mary Hildreth 
of Westford. He resided in Littleton until about 1741, when he removed to 
Westford, and there remained about twenty years. Late in life he removed 
to Ashby where two of his sons were residing. He d. about 1789 ; his wife 
d. March 17, 1788. Charles Lawrence, son of Samuel and Mary (Hildreth) 

Lawrence, was b in Littleton Jan. 20, 1740-1 ; he md. Naomi . Their 

eldest child was b. in Groton, 1764; the second in Harvard 1766, the third in 
Ashby 1768, and five others in Ashby from 1771 to 1781. He d. in Ashby 
May 22, 1825; his wife d. June 2, 1805. Among the eight children of 
Charles and Naomi Lawrence were Reuben, whose descendants have resided 
in this town, and Aletiion (No. 46). 

Another son of Major Eleazer Lawrence was Dea. Jonathan Lawrence, b. in 
Groton Oct. 4, 1703; he removed to Littleton where he was a useful citizen, 
and d. Dec. 8, 1789. He md. Tryphena Powers who d. Aug. 25, 1752; he 
md. (2d) Oct. 10, 1754, Lydia Fletcher who d. March 21, 1803, aged 90. 
Peter Lawrence, son of Dea. Jonathan and Tryphena (Powers) Lawrence, 

b. Oct. 7, 1742, md. Persis . He removed to Townsend about the 

date of his marriage, and when Ashby was incorporated his land was included 
in that town. He was an active citizen and his name is familiar in the early 
records of Ashby. He d. Oct. 21, 1798. Jeremiah Lawrence, his son, md. 
Rachel Wright, and subsequently removed to Ashburnham. 



Amos Lawrence, son of Benjamin and Jane (Russell) 
Lawrence, was b. in Westboro' Aug. 7, 1748.. He md. 
1772, Sarah Wetherbee, b. in Boxborongh Nov. 22, 1748. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 793 

In 1774 he settled in the northwest part of this town near 
the school-house in the seventh district. He was a mem- 
ber of Capt. Gates' company in 1775, and subsequently 
from year to year he was chosen to office in the conduct 
of town affairs. He was an intelligent man. About 1800 
he removed to Fitchburg. His wife d. April 5, 1818 ; he 

md. (2d) White ; he d. June 9, 1840 ; she d. in this 

town at the home of her daughter. 

I. Amos, b. 1773 ; md. March 1, 1807, Sally Fletcher, 
b. in Westford 1773, dau. of Joshua and Eliza- 
beth (Raymond) Fletcher, and a sister of 
Joshua Fletcher of this town. He resided in 
Fitchburg. Their children were Amos, Sophro- 
nia, Paul R. and Freeborn. 
11. Nabby, b. May 14, 1774; md. May 8, 1794, 
Ephraim Hale of Stow. She was the mother of 
nine children ; she d. June 29, 1841. 

4 III. 3foses, b. Sept. 24, 1775.-|- 

5 IV. Sarah, b. May 8, 1777 ; md. April 18, 1797, Samuel 
Gates of Stow ; six children ; she d. Feb. 5, 1808. 

6 V. Anna, b. Feb. 19, 1779; md. May 5, 1803, Dr. 
Israel Hale of Stow ; four children ; she d. 
Dec. 26, 1852. 

7 VI. Alice, 1). Aug. 12, 1781; md. March 7, 1804, 
Nehemiah Andrews of Pltchburg ; five children ; 
she d. Nov. 26, 1812. 

VII. Ezra, b. March 16, 1783.-f 

VIII. Joel, b. Aug. 9, 1785; md. Sarah Miles; lived in 
Ashburnham and in Fitchburg ; d. in Fitchburg 
about 1860. 

10 I IX. Martha, b. Jan. 31, 1788; md. William Merriam, 
q. V. 

11 X. Betsey, b. Jan. 1, 1790; md. Jan. 6, 1814, Nehe- 
miah Andrews, who md. her sister Alice. Eleven 
children ; she d. Yob. 8, 1855. 

12 XI. Uriah, b. in Fitchburg 1822; md. March 1, 1850, 
Sarah Hadley, dau. of Gamaliel Hadley, q. v. 
They resided in Rindge, where she d. 1882. 
Eight children. He md. (2d) 1883, Betsey 
(Holden) Kendall, and removed to Sharon, N. 
H., where he now resides. Between the age of 

the father and this son there is a space of 
seventy-four years. It is probable that Uriah 
Lawrence is the only man living who can say 
that his father settled in Ashburnham previous 
to the Revolution. 

13 I XII. Jave R., b. 1828 ; md. July 1, 1849, Charles Law- 
I rence, son of Alethon Lawrence, q. v. 



794 



HISTORY OF ASHBUKNHAM. 



(4) 



14 
15 
16 



17 

18 

19 

20 
21 

22 

23 
24 

25 
26 

27 



28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 



Capt. Moses Lawrence was the commander of the 
Ashburnham Light Infantry from 1810 to 1813. He 
built one or more houses and mills at North Village and 
was active in public and business affairs. He md. 
Feb. 25, 1798, Sarah Wetherell of Norton; she d. July 
28, 1834 ; he md. (2d) 1835, Mrs. Desire Longley of 
Shirley. Late in life he removed to Shirley where he d. 

I. Alona, b. July 23, 1799 ; d. Sept. 26, 1800. 
II. Alona, b. Jan. 26, 1801 ; md. Walter Russell, q. v. 

III. Ruel, b. Nov. 19, 1803; md. Jan. 29, 1827, 

Thankful Laws of Westminster. The Common- 
wealth had a controversy with him about a 
business affair ; he responded not guilty ; the 
court thought otherwise, and he d. in the State 
prison at Charlestown Sept. 19, 1849 ; his widow 
d. Oct. 26, 1849. 

1. Harriet, b. Nov. 14, 1827; md. George 

R. Fergurson ; removed to Boston. 

2. Charles Harvey, b. Nov. 7, 1830 ; resides 

in Illinois. 

3. Emily A., b. July 19, 1834; md. Horace 

Snow. 

4. Alden B., b. March 15, 1842. 

5. Adaline M., b. Dec. 7, 1845. 

IV. Waity, b. Jan. 22, 1806 ; md. Francis Kibling, 

q. V. 
V. Sabrina, b. May 27, 1808 ; md. Silas Willard, q. v. 
VI. Luana, b. July 26, 1810 ; md. George Wood, son 

of Jonathan Wood, q. v. 
VII. 3falvina, b. July 5, 1812 ; d. Jan. 13, 1815. 
VIII. Malvina, b. July 15, 1816 ; md. Leonard Foster^ 
q. V. 
IX. Elsie P., b. Dec. 23, 1818 ; d. Feb. 23, 1826. 



(8) Ezra Lawrence md. June 30, 1808, Rebecca Ward, 
dau. of Caleb Ward, q. v. He resided in this town until 
about 1835, when he removed to Verona, N. Y., where 
he d. Oct. 16, 1849. 



I. Lowell, b. June 21, 1809. 

II. Windsor, h. April 9, 1811. 

III. Alma, b. May 16, 1813 ; d. Dec. 12, 1823. 

IV. Lorene, b. P'eb. 1, 1816. 
V. Lavinia, b. Oct. 21, 1818. 

VI. Achsah, b. Oct. 14, 1820. 

VII. Sophia, b. Oct. 11, 1822. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 795 

VIII. Harriet., b. Sept. 27, 1824. 

IX. Joseph E., b. April 26, 1827. 
X. Alfred B., b. Nov. 18, 1829. 

XI. Gilbert, b. Dec. 27, 1831. 
xn. Marietta, b. Dec. 30, 1834. 



Jonathan Lawrence, a brother of Amos (No. 1), md. 
Jan. 14, 1779, Jane Kibling, dan. of John Kibling the 
emigrant. They lived in this town a short time but re- 
moved previous to 1787. 

I. Benjamin, bap. Feb. 17, 1782. 



Dea. William J. Lawrence, son of Jonathan and 
Elizabeth (Johnson) Lawrence, was b. in Woburn Jan. 1, 
1773. In his infancy the family removed to Ashby where 
he passed the years of childhood and youth. He was a 
tanner and it is possible he followed his trade in Lexing- 
ton as he came from there to this town in 1797, and at the 
time of his removal he bought of Willard Lane a tan-yard 
that was located near the residence of George C. Foster, 
Esq. He built the house now occupied by his dau. Mrs. 
White, and joined many acres to his estate. He was an 
lionest, conscientious man, and steadfast in his adhe- 
rence to his convictions. He was a deacon of the Congre- 
gational church twenty-five years and was chosen to sev- 
eral positions in town affairs. He md. 1798, Elizabeth 
Griffin of Bedford. He d. suddenly July 8, 1844 ; his 
widow d. Feb. 18, 1862. 

I. Betsey, b. Jan. 15, 1801 ; md. Josiah White, q. v. 
II. Nancy, b. Dec. 19, 1802 ; md. Samuel Barrett, 

q. V. 
HI. Zoa, b. April 21, 1804 ; md. Ivers White, q. v. 



Alethon Lawrence, son of Charles and Naomi Law- 
rence, was b. in Ashby Oct. 15, 1771. In Ashby his name 
appears on the records as Alethon, but when he removed 
to Ashburnham the town officials wrote the name Elna- 
than. He md. 1797, Mary Tenney, dau. of Cheney Ten- 
ney of Littleton. He was a farmer and resided in Ashby 
until 1813, when he removed to this town. The farm is 
partlj' in this town and partly in Ashby. He d. in this 
town June 6, 1842 ; his widow d. 1861. 

47 I I. Polly, b. Feb. 15, 1798 ; d. March 30, 1800. 

48 I II. Sarah, b. April 18, 1800 ; md. Aug. 26, 1832, 



796 



HISTORY OF ASHBUKNHAM. 



49 



50 


III 


51 


IV 


52 


V 


53 


VI 


54 


VII 


55 


VIII 


56 


IX. 



(55) 



57 



<56) 



58 
59 
^60 
■61 
62 
-63 
"64 



Edward Smith ; resided on North Turnpike. 

1. Leonard, b. Aug. 10, 1835; removed to 
AYestminster ; md. Mary Mansfield. 

Mary, b. May 3, 1801 ; md. Nathan Hunt. 

Elizabeth, b. May 10, 1804 ; md. Amos Derby. 

Leonard, b. Feb. 17, 1806 ; d. July 29, 1806. 

Zoa, b. June 17, 1808 ; d. June 25, 1808. 

Nancy, b, June 17, 1809 ; md. 1834, Zimri Whit- 
ney, b. July 2, 1807, son of Isaac and Susannah 
Whitney of Ashby. They resided in Ashby, 
where he d., felo de se, and she d. 1879. 

Charles, b. March 29, 1812.-}- 

Leonard, b. 1814. -[- 



Charles Lawrence is a farmer residing on the North 
Turnpike. He md. Susan Lovejoy, b. Jan. 11, 1812, 
dau. of Benjamin and Ruth (Wood) Lovejoy of Rindge ; 
she d. Dec, 1848 ; md. (2d) July 1, 1849, Jane R. Law- 
rence, dau. of Amos Lawrence, q. v. She d. Sept. 5, 
1876 ; md. (3d) Sept., 1881, Martha (Hadley) Lawrence, 
widow of his brother Leonard. One child. 

I. Susan Jane, b. June 19, 1851 ; md. Charles E. 
Mansfield, son of Jonathan M. Mansfield ; she 
d. May, 1875. 



Leonard Lawrence was a farmer ; he lived on the 
farm formerly of his father in the northeast part of the 
town. He md. May 4, 1837, Martha C. Hadley, dau. of 
Gamaliel Hadley, q. v. He d. suddenly June 14, 1870 ; 
his widow md. (2d) his brother, Charles Lawrence. 

I. Mary, b. March 7, 1838 ; md. John Kendall of 

Ashby. 
II. Walter, b. Aug. 23, 1840 ; md. 1868, Emeline A. 
Whitney, dau. of Dwell Whitney, q. v. 

III. Elnathan, b. Feb. 4, 1842 ; unmd ; resides in 

Ashby. 

IV. Martha Jane, b. March 19, 1844 ; md. 1865, Lewis 

W. Whitney, son of Dwell Whitney, q. v. 
V. Charles, b. June 23, 1846; md. 1881, H. Evelyn 

Foster ; resides in Ashby. 
VI. Sarah A., b. Sept. 2, 1848 ; md. 1878, John Fos- 
ter ; reside in Colorado. 
VII. Hattie E., b. Sept. 3, 1852 ; md. Dec. 7, 1872, 
George W. Blanchard of Ashby. 



/ 

/ 

/ 

/ 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 797 

in. Leonard, b. Feb. 8, 1855 ; unmd ; resides in Colo- 
rado. 

IX. Amanda, b. Dec. 20, 1859 ; md. Nov. 25, 1880, 
Alfred Brewer ; resides in Ashburnham. 

X. Alice N., b. May 7, 1867; md. Dec. 24, 1885, 
James Doloff ; resides in Maiden. 



John Lawrence, son of Reuben and Lois (Tenney) 
Lawrence, and a grandson of Charles and (Naomi) Law- 
rence, was b. in Asbby March 31, 1796. He md. 1834, 
Phebe W. Broughton, dau. of William Broughton. 

I. Esther Sirena, b. July 21, 1834 ; md. March 14, 
1854, Robert J. Elliot. He d. . 

1. L. Agnes, b. May 8, 1865 ; md. Dec. 24, 

1885, Robert Samson. 

2. Etta M., b. June 18, 1867 ; md. Winslow 

O. Fletcher, q. v. 

II. John Chauncey, b. May 28, 1836 ; md. March 17, 
1866, Abbie A. Blane^^ dau. of Benjamin 
Blaney. She d. Aug. 18, 1876; md. (2d) 
April 14, 1880, Jane (Pierce) Lane, widow of 
Milton Lane, q. v. Resides at Lane Village. 

HI. George TF., b. June 3, 1838 ; md. Feb. 15, 1864, 
Ellen E. Reed. He is a veteran 21st Regiment. 

IV. Reuben H.^ b. Sept. 19, 1845 ; md. Fanny Good- 
ale. He was killed in braking cars, Dec. 9, 
1877. 

V. William A., b. July 8, 1856 ; md. Jan. 31, 1877, 
Mary E. Bixby, dau. of Aaron B. Bixby. 



Capt. Jeremiah Lawrence, son of Peter Lawrence, 
was b. in Ashby Jan. 29, 1772. He md. Rachel Wright, 
b. June 26, 1773, dau. of Henry and Sarah (Spalding) 
Wright of Westford and Ashby. About 1821 he removed 
to this town. He d. Feb. 20, 1854 ; his wife d. March 
22, 1851. Children b. in Ashby. 

I. Persis, b. Oct. 30, 1792. 
II. Jeremiah, b. Feb. 4, 1796.-f- 

III. Tila 0., b. Sept. 30, 1799. 

IV. Jonas, b. Aug. 8, 1806. -f- 

V. Susan Stearns, b. Jan. 23, 1812 ; md. Asahel 
Wheeler, q. v. 



Jeremiah Lawrence, Jr., md. Feb. 20, 1821, Mary 
Tuttle of Ashby, b. Dec. 21, 1792 ; removed to this town 



798 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



82 



83 
84 

85 
86 

87 



88 



<80) 



89 
90 



about the date of his marriage. He d. July 3, 1872 ; she 
d. Dec. 7, 1883. 

T. William T., b. Sept. 22, 1825 ; md. Nov. 1, 1846, 
Nancy W. Blanchard of New Ipswich. He re- 
sides in Peterborough, N. H. 

1. Mary A., b. May 4, 1852 ; d. Sept. 2, 1852. 

2. Marah A., b. Oct. 9, 1853; d. Nov. 15, 

1853. 

3. Lillie A., b. Feb. 26, 1855. 

4. Emma F., b. March 3, 1857. 

II. Charles H., b. Sept. 2, 1827 ; removed to Boston, 
where he md. 1848, Sarah E. Riblet of Charles- 
town. He d. March 23, 1878 ; his widow d. 
April 10, 1879. 

III. 3Iarah S., b. Jan. 19, 1829 ; d. April 20, 1850. 



Jonas Lawrence, a brother of Jeremiah, Jr., md. June 
6, 1833, Sarah White, dau. of Dea. Elisha White, q. v. ; 
she d. June 22, 1845 ; he md. (2d) 1852, Eliza (Russell) 
Houghton, dau. of David Russell, q. v. She d. April, 

1885. 



I. Charles A., h. 
II. Ivers W., b. - 



md. 1867, Sarah A. Luce. 



John Leathers was b. in Chaiiestown Nov. 16, 1799. 
In his youth he went to Albany, N. Y., and came to this 
town in 1823. He md. Sept. 26, 1826, Alma G. Marble, 
dau. of Oliver Marble, q. v. He was a farmer near Rice 
pond. The house was burned several years ago. He 
removed to Fitchburg late in life, and d. there Sept. 14, 
1876 ; his widow d. at Bath, Me., June 19, 1884. 

I. Alma Eliza, b. July 21, 1827; md. Albion C. 

Mallot; reside in Bath, Me. 
II. John Cobleigh, b. Ma}' 9, 1829 ; resides in Ohio ; 

is md. 
III. Emma S., b. Nov. 30, 1830 ; md. George Moors ; 
she d. at Wilton Junction, Iowa, July 23, 1886. 
TV. Mary Elizabeth, b. July 13, 1832 ; unmd. ; resides 

in Fitchburg. 
V. Dorothy Marble, b. March 11, 1834 ; md. Sept. 5, 
1853, Joshua S. Wheeler, son of Lewis and 
Mary (Stowell) Wheeler, b. in Fitchburg Oct. 
16, 1829. He is a manufacturer and dealer in 
machinists' tools in Worcester where he resides. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



799 



8 

9 

10 
11 

12 
13 



VI. Leiois Edicin, h. Feb. 8, 1836 ; d. unmd. in San- 
dusky, Ohio, Nov. 22, 1«55. 
VII. Joel Francis, b. Oct. 9, 1837; md. Sarah Smith; 

resides in Winn, Me. 
VIII. George Elliot, b. July 13, 1840 ; resides in A\^orees- 
ter ; md. Marelia Ames. 
IX. Ivers Warreri, b. Nov. 20, 1841 ; d. May 11, 1844. 
X. Hosea Marshall, b. Dec. 16, 1843; d. May 11, 
1844. 
These two children died about the same hour. 
XI. Charles F., b. Aug. 10, 1846; d. at Fitchburg 

April 25, 1877 ; left a famil3\ 
XII. William C., b. Aug. 11, 1847; md. Laura Mar- 
shall ; resides in Fitchburg. 



LITCH. 

Among the children of one of the Scotch-Irish emigrants who settled in 
Londonderry, N. H., was Thomas Litch who was b. about 1720. If the tra- 
dition is sustained that he was four years of age when his parents came to 
America it is probable that he was b. quite as early as the year named. The 
name in the early records is written Leatch. He md. Jane Kennedy, and 
d. in Winchendon 1802. He left two sons, John and Samuel. John Litch 
md. Martha Stuart and settled in Lunenburg, and d. 1815. Among his four 
sons was Thomas Litch, b. 1777; md. Hannah Kimball and resided in Fitrh- 
bursr, where he d. Oct. 23, 1820. 

Samuel Litch, the other son of Thomas and Jane (Kennedy) Litch, resided 
in Lunenburg until 1781^ when he removed to Winchendon. At once he 
became a prominent citizen. August 11, 1780, he was a delegate to the 
Leicester covention, but subsequently he became involved in the Shays' 
revolt. It has been asserted that he left the State, but it is claimed with 
greater confidence that he d., 1787, from injuries received from a falling limb 
while felling trees. Samuel Litch, Jr. , b. July 9, 1779, was the famous 
school-teacher of Winchendon and Jaffrey, N. H. 



Joel H. Litch, b. in Fitchburg April 14, 1807, son of 
Thomas and Hannah (Kimball) Litch, md. Nov. 17, 
1831, Lucy Maynard, dau. of Stephen Maynard, q. v. He 
resided in Worcester, where he was engaged in the manu- 
facture and sale of doors, sashes and blinds until 1850 
when he purchased the Maynard farm and removed to 
this town. As a farmer he maintains a foremost rank, 
and as a citizen he is held in high esteem. He has been 
repeatedly elected to positions in town affairs, and in 1852 
he represented the town in the Legislature. 

I. Ellen E., b. Sept. 28, 1832; d. unmd. Aug. 22, 

1883. 
II. Charles T., b. Dec. 12, 1834; md. A. Theresa 
Rockwood, dau. of George Rockwood, q. v. 
He is a farmer on the homestead with his father. 
They are engaged extensively in the sale of milk. 



800 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



9 
10 



IV. 
V. 



John Francis, b. July 6, 1837 ; md. June 2, 1867^ 
Emily E. Merriam, dau. of Benjamin Merriam, 
q. V. He is foreman and lumber agent with 
Boston Chair Manufacturing Company. 

1. Carrie E., b. April 26, 1868. 

2. Herbert F., b. Oct. 3, 1870. 

3. Ernest W., b. April 9, 1872. 

4. Clesson, b. May 9, 1874. 

Martha S., b. Feb. 20, 1840 ; d. April 23, 1860. 
George H., b. June 6, 1843 ; md. Lucy A. Pierce 

of Templeton. He resides in Templeton. His 

wife d. , leaving two children. 



John Locke was a German emigrant who came to this 
town in 1758. It appears that he had no interest in the 
purchase of the Lexington grant. He settled near the 
site of the Cushing Academy. Invariably he wrote the 
name Overlock, in the early records it is Oberlock, and in 
this form the name is written when reference was had to 
the father, but his children were known by the name of 
Locke, and his descendants in the male line are probably 
bearing the name of Locke and perplexing the genealogist 
at the present time. John Oberlock was an original 
member of the church, and as a citizen he bore a full share 
of public burdens and responsibility. The name of his 
wife was Mary. The children of whom any knowledge 
has been secured, except Jacob, were born before the 
family arrived in this town. He d. Jan. 2, 1783. His 
widow projbably d. in Winchendon, where Capt. Daniel 
Putnam, who had the farm and was responsible for her 
support, resided a few years. 

I. John Locke, md. 1774, Molly Bigelow. The inten- 
tion of marriage is recorded Jan. 9, 1774. She 
d. May 6, 1775; he md. (2d) Feb. 27, 1777, 
Phebe Howe. He d. March 7, 1778. 

II. Philip, owned a saw-mill on the stream in the South 
Village, which he sold in 1778 to Daniel Gibbs. 
He md. Dec. 17, 1777, Olive Gates. An infant 
of Philip Locke d. May 15, 1779. He probably 
removed from town. 

III. Elizabeth, md. March 18, 1777, Capt. Daniel Put- 
nam, q. V. 

TV. Jacob, was a soldier in the Revolution ; he d. in the 
service. Mr. Cushing records his death in 
November, 1777, " aged about 18 years." 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



801 



10 



11 



12 



William Locke, son of William and Eleanor (Haynes) 
Locke of New Ipswich, was b. July 29, 1798. The line- 
age of this family is found in the '' Book of the Lockes." 
He md. INIarch 29, 1829, Jane W. Wilder. They re- 
moved to this town soon after their marriage. He d., 
from injuries received from a fall from a pear tree, Sept. 
7, 1837. His widow md. Nov. 17, 1846, Harrison 
Wyman of AVestminster. 



JosiAH Locke, a brother of William (6), wasb. Oct. 18, 
1804 ; he md. Oct. 18, 1827, p:iizabeth W. Willard, dau. 
of John Willard, q. v. They resided in this town until 
1840 ; subsequently in Wakefield. 

I. Charles E., b. July 14, 1828; md. May 3, 1849, 

Lucy M. Wood, dau. of Nathan Wood, q. v. ; 

resided in Fitchburg, where he d. May 23, 1874. 
II. John W., b. April 10, 1832 ; resides in Wakefield; 

was postmaster there twelve years. He md. 

Charlotte A. Tufts, who d. 1867 ; md. (2d) 

Susan G. Berry who d. March 2, 1881 ; md. 

(3d) C. Delia Kilgore. 
III. Mary Elizabeth, b. Oct. 4, 1833; md. Charles 

Bennett. 



William Locke, son of William and Rebecca (Barrett) 
Locke of Fitzwilliam, N. H., b. Feb. 7, 1778, md. Feb. 
7, 1804, Polly Walker, and resided in this town about 
three years ending 1837, when they I'emoved to Fitz- 
william, N. H. 



William D. Locke, son of William (11), b. Oct. 5, 
1807, md. Dec. 11, 1833, Miranda Adams, dau. of Dea. 
Isaac Adams of New Ipswich ; was here the same time as 
his father. 



LOWE. 

Over the twelve ships bearing emigrants to America in 1G30, Capt. John 
Lowe, of the ship Ambrose, was Admiral. The fleet sailed in April, and having 
safely arrived at Salem, a day of public thanksgiving was observed in all 
the adjacent plantations July 8, 1030. Dea. Thomas Lowe, son of Capt. 
John, was b. in Ipswich 1C32. He md. Martha Boreman, dau. of Thomas 
Boreman, and was a leading spirit in the settlement. He d. April 12, 1712, 
aged 80, leaving seven children ; of these the second son was Jonathan 

Lowe, who md. Thompson. Of their children, Jonathan, Jr., was b. 

Sept. 14, 1708; md. Nov. 18, 1731, Sarah Perkins. About 17G0 they 
removed to Lunenburg. The fourteenth of their sixteen children was Dr. 
Abraham Lowe of Ashburnham. He was b. in Chebacco parish, Ipswich, 
Feb. 11, 1755. 

51 



«02 



HTSTOKV OF ASHBURNIIAM. 



Dr. Abraham Lowe removed to Ashbiirnham in 1785 
or 1786. lie boarded until liis marriage with Capt. Tim- 
otliy Willard at the David Russell place. He lived a few 
years at corner of Main and Gushing streets, and about 
1792 he purchased the estate still known as the Dr. Lowe 
place, and there resided until his death. ]ncle pages 178 
and 466. He md. Oct. 30, 1788, Charlotte Hale, b. 
Dec. 30, 1766, eldest dau. of Col. Nathan and Abigail 
(Grout) Hale of Rindge. He d. Oct. 23, 1834; his 
widow d. May 5, 1841. 

Col. Nathan Hale, the father of Mrs. Lowe, was b. in 
Rowley or in Hampstead, N. H., Sept. 23, 1743. He 
was a merchant and farmer in Rindge, and an extensive 
land owner in that town. He was a major in Col. Reed's 
regiment in 1775, and lieut. -colonel of the 2nd New 
Hampshire Battalion 1777. He d. a prisoner within the 
British lines Sept. 23, 1780. He was a descendant of the 
fifth generation of Thomas Hale, b. in Hertfordshire, 
England, May 15, 1606, and settled in Newbury previous 
to 1635. The generations are Thomas, Thomas, Capt. 
Thomas, all of Newbury, Moses of Newbury, Hampstead, 
N. H., and Rindge, and Col. Nathan of Rindge. Of Dr. 
Abi'aham and Charlotte (Hale) Lowe there were eight 
children. 

I. Nathan Hale, b. July 21, 1789 ; d. Dec. 13, 1789. 
II. Abigail, b. Jan. 24, 1791; md. Dr. William H. 

Cutler, q. v. 
III. Charlotte, h. May 29, 1793; md. June 4, 1840, 
David Goodwin, Esq., of Chelsea, Vt. After 
his decease she resided in this town, where she 
d. March 12, 1877. 
rv. Abraham Thompson, b. Aug. 15, 1796.-J- 
V. Thomas Hale, b. Nov. 27, 1799 ; d. Jan. 13, 1800. 
VI. Mary Hale, b. May 9, 1801 ; md. Samuel AVoods, 

q. V. 
VII. George Henry, b. May 12, 1803.4- 
VIII. Benoni, b. Sept. 19, 1807 ; d. Feb. 22, 1808. 



(5) 



Dr. Abraham T. Lowe is the oldest native of this town 
known to be living. For a brief outline of a prolonged 
and useful career the reader is referred to page 466. He 
md. Oct. 20, 1822, Emma B. Gould of Ashby, who d. 
Aug. 9, 1833 ; he md. (2d) Nov. 6, 1836. Susan Burr of 
Ashby, who d. May 16, 1843 ; he md. (3d) April 5, 1844, 
Eliza B. Burr, who d. Nov. 5, 1860 ; he md. (4th) April 
30, 1862, Cordelia Burditt. Two children of first wife 
died in infancy. 



10 

11 

12 



<8) 



13 
14 
15 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 803 

I. Elizabeth, b. Nov. 5, 1825 ; d. March 15, 1842. 
II. Lewis G., b. Aug. 18, 1828. He is a physician 

in Boston. 
III. Abraham Thompson, b. Feb. 20, 1856 ; a gradu- 
ate of Dartmouth Medical School 1880. 



George H. Lowe, occupying the Jewett store, was a 
merchant in this town several years, and associated with 
others, he was engaged a short time in the manufacture 
of chairs. He was a man of exemplary character, com- 
manding at all time the respect and confidence of the 
communit3^ He md. Feb. 18, 1830, Catherine M. Brig- 
ham, b. in Westboro' Jan. 21, 1801, dau. of Hon. Elijah 
and Sarah (Ward) Brighara anda granddan. of Gen. Arte- 
mas Ward. In 1842 he removed to North Brookfield. He 
d. at Dewitt, Iowa, Dec. 21, 1866. 

I. Emma Catherine, bap. Aug. 30, 1835. 
II. George Abraham, bap. Dec. 29, 1836. 
III. Sarah Brigham, bap. June, 1840. 

Francis M. Lund, b. in Hollis, N. H., March 8, 1845, 
son of Warner and Mary F. (Lovejoy) Lund, md. Feb. 
10, 1867, Elizabeth J. Wheeler of Hollis, N. H. He re- 
sides on Chapel street in Central Village. 

I. Fraiik W., b. April 17, 1869. 
11. Bertha M., b. July 22, 1873. 
III. Daisie B.,h. Dec. 1, 1877. 



Solomon Manning was b. in Billerica Maj^ 15, 1753. 
He was a son of Lieut. William and Elizabeth (Danforth) 
IManning, grandson of Ensign William and Elizabeth 
(French) Manning and great-grandson of Samuel and 
Elizabeth (Stearns) Manning, all of Billerica. Solomon 
Manning md. May 20, 1777, Alice Wilson, b. Oct. 17, 
1749, dau. of John and Alice (Totman) Wilson; she d. 
April 20, 1787 ; he md. (2d) Jan. 6, 1789, Olive French 
of Hollis, N. H. AYith two children they removed to this 
town in 1792 and resided near the present residence of 
Cyrus A. Jefts. He d. Sept. 2, 1833 ; she d. June 27, 



1841, 



I. Solomon, b. Dec. 26, 1789.+ 
II. Olive, h. March 16, 1792; d. Nov. 6, 1799. 
III. Andrew Bailey, b. March 13, 1794 ; removed from 
town about 1830 ; unmd. at that time ; d. May 
6, 1851. 



804 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



(2) 



10 

11 
12 
13 

14 

15 
16 



V. 

VI. 



Alice Wilson, b. Nov. 5, 1795 ; cared for her aged 
parents, and was often a cheerful nurse in 
the neighborhood ; she lives unmd. in Fitch- 
burg. 

Samuel, b. June 26, 1797. 

Elizabeth, b. May 5, 1799; md. Peter Carter of 
Fitchburg. Several children. She d. March 
30, 1865. 



Solomon Manning, Jr., md. Lucy Webber of Chelms- 
ford, and resided in Ashburnham and in Ashby. He d. 
Dec. 13, 1825. 

I. Lucy Maria, b. 1814, non comp. ; d. Dec. 20, 1872. 

II. Ivers B., b. April 6, 1816; md. April 6, 1843, 
Phebe J. Eaton, b. Oct. 1, 1822, dan. of Samuel 
Eaton of Reading and Lynn. He was a chair 
maker; d. Aug. 15, 1884 ; his widow resides in 
Gardner. 

1. Helen Elizabeth, b. Feb. 2, 1844; md. 

Merrick W. Wallace, son of Dr. Merrick 
Wallace, q. v. 

2. Josie Augusta, b. May 15, 1847 ; d. Sept. 

28, 1848. 

3. Frank Abbott, b. Sept. 9, 1850; d. Feb. 

22, 1876. 

4. Caroline Alice, b. Nov. 2,1862; d. Dec. 

9, 1881. 



III. Elzina E., b. 



; md. Alvan F. Ward, son of 



Jacob Ward, q. v. 

IV. Laurette, b. . 

V. Elson, b. ; md. Rebecca Tufts; d. in Fitch- 

bnro: about 1878. 



MARBLE. 

The name of Marble has been continued in this town about one hundred 
years. The first of the name in this town were Jabez and Oliver Marble, 
who came from Stow 1789, and from them are descended the numerous 
families of Marble in this town. It is a tradition of the family that the father 
of Jabez and Oliver Marble was impressed into the English army, and while 
his regiment was employed in the conquest of Canada, without a full dis- 
charge, he left a service which had been instituted without his consent, and 
soon after settled in Stow. The sequel of the tradition is confirmed by the 
records of Stow. Asa Marble is found a resident of Stow, and there Jabez 
and Oliver Marble, twin sons of Asa and Hannah (Wheeler") Marble, were b. 
Sept. 15, 1755. While residents of Stow, they were in the Revolutionary 
service. Vide Chap. VI. A cannon-ball brought home by Jabez Marble is 
now in the possession of his great-grandson, Warren E. Marble. 



9 
10 

11 



(4) 

12 

(5) 



13 

14 

15 



16 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 805 

Jabez Marble, b. in Stow Sept. 15, 1755, md. Nov. 
29, 1780, Marj' Salter, dau. of Samuel Salter, q. v., and 
settled in Stow where he lived until 1789, when he re- 
moved to this town. He lived on the farm formerly 
occupied by Samuel Salter, and now by Warren Marble. 
He d. Dec. 23, 1843 ; she d. Dec. 22, 1845. 

I. Hannah, b. ; d. Sept. 21, 1792. 

II. Eunice, b. April 28, 1783 ; md. George Wilker, 
Jr , q. V. 

III. Jabez, b. April 29, 1785. -f- 

IV. Stephen, b. Nov. 8, 1787.-f- 

V. Phebe, b. Feb. 1, 1790 ; md. John Carter of Fitch- 
burg. 

VI. Lydia, b. Feb. 8, 1792; md. John Russell of 
Townsend. 

VII. Lois (twin), b. Feb. 8, 1792 ; md. April 21, 1812, 

Joseph Smith of Leominster. 
VIII. Joel, b. Feb. 1, 1794.-|- 

IX. Grata, b. May 4, 1797 ; md. April 7, 1822, Joseph 
Wheeler ; resided in Acton. 

X. Asenath, b. Oct. 25, 1801 ; md. 1821, David Flint, 
b. March 27, 1793, son of Edmund and Abi- 
gail (Damon) Flint of Ashby. He d. Sept. 5, 
1870; shed. Aug. 22, 1867. 



Jabez Marble, Jr., md. 1815, Anna Dutton, b. Nov. 
9, 1788, dau. of Samuel and Rhoda Dutton of Ashby. 
He was a farmer. He d. in this town July 8, 1826. 

I. So7i, b. ; d. young. 



Stephen Marble md. Nov. 12, 1816, Polly Flint, b. 
Oct. 27, 1790, dau. of Edmund and Abigail (Damon) 
Flint of Ashby. He was a farmer on Russell hill ; re- 
moved to Ashb}' 1850, where he d. Aug. 19, 1855; she 
d. March 2, 1855. 

I. Albert Proctor, b. Aug. 9, 1817 ; d. unmd. 
II. Elmira, b. June 26, 1820 ; md. Joseph Gushing, 
q. V. 

III. Edmund Neioton, b. Dec. 4, 1822 ; md. April 23, 

1848, Dolly Billings, dau. of Joshua Billings, 
Jr., q. V. He d. Aug. 19, 1885 ; she resides in 
Fitchburg. 

IV. Stephen Jackson, h. Nov. 3, l-s^S ; md. 1850, 

Lydia A. Maynard, dau. of Horace Maynard, 
q. V. She d. . He resides in Fitchburg. 



806 



HISTOEY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



(9) 



17 
18 
19 
20 
21 



(17) 



22 
23 



24 



25 



26 



(18) 



27 



28 

29 
30 



Joel Marble md. Nov. 19, 1818, Susan Sawin, dau. 
of Asa Sawiu, q. v. ; she d. June 22, 1823 ; he md. (2d) 
1823, Mary Winsbip of Westminster. He was a farmer 
and at different times occupied the farms now of Warren 
Marble and of Hosea Green. He d. March 10, 1869 ; his 
wife d. Oct. 12, 1859. 

I. Uike, b. April 30, 1820. -f- 
II. Newell, b. Jan. 29, 1822. -{- 

III. Infant, b. and d. June, 1823. 

IV. Susan, b. Sept. 19, 1824 ; d. Dec. 20, 1838. 
V. Warren, b. Aug. 1, 1826. -|- 

LuKE jVIarble md. April 24, 1845, Abigail Moore, dau. 
of Pitt Moore, q. v., and now resides in Central Village. 
Until recently he lived in the northeast part of the town, 
where he was successfully engaged in farming and in the 
manufacture of lumber. He has been assessor and elected 
to other office in town affairs. 

I. Jonas P., b. April 3, 1846 ; d. Sept. 14, 1848. 
II. Joel P., b. June 11, 1848. He is a merchant in 
the firm of Marble and Gilson. He md. June 
11, 1871, Caroline Holmes. 

III. Aklen B., b. Aug. 11, 1851; md. Feb. 1, 1873, 

Flora A. Jaquith. He is a successful farmer 
on the old Kibling farm, frequently called the 
Caldwell farm. 

IV. Warren E., b. Oct. 7, 1855; md June 15, 1882, 

Nellie M. Fuller. He is a farmer and proprietor 
of the Marble JVtills. 
V. 3/ar?/^., b. April 24,1857; md. Feb. 5, 1881, 
Frank W. Davis of Ashby. He resides in Ash- 
burn ham. 



Newell Marble md. April 29, 1845, Emma J. Wilker, 
dau. of Jacob Wilker, q. v. He was a farmer and a 
morocco finisher and lived near the school-house in the 
third district. He d. Aug. 12, 1885. 

I. George Francis, b. July 16, 1846 ; md. Oct. 1, 
1871, Hannah B. Boston of Barrington, N. H. ; 
resides at Great Falls, N. H. 

II. FraiiMin Augustus, b. March 17, 1848 ; d. June 
28, 1848. 

III. Ella Augusta, b. Feb. 10, 1850 ; d. Aug. 28, 1852. 

IV. Celia Viola, b. Aug. 25, 1853 ; md. Feb. 7, 1877, 

Elwyn D. Gibson, son of Jerome S. Gibson, q. v. 



31 

32 
33 
34 

35 
36 

(21) 



37 

38 

39 

40 
41 
42 
43 

44 



45 
46 
47 



48 



53 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 807 

V. Charles Sumner, b; Nov. 1, 1855 ; md. Jan. 27, 
1877, Lillian A. Gibson, dau. of Jerome S. 
Gibson, q. v. 
VI. Lyra Madora, b. Aug. 4, 1858 ; d. March 11, 1865. 
VII. Rosetta Emogene, b. March 3, 1862. 
VIII. Fernando Ulysses, b. Nov. 7, 1865 ; d. June 4,. 
1876. 
IX. Lilla Malora, b. Oct. 18, 1867. 
X. Melvin Newell, b. Sept. 7, 1869 ; d. May 29, 1876. 



Warren Marble is a farmer on the homestead. He 
md. May 22, 1851, Mary L. Wilker, dau. of Jacob Wil- 
ker, q. v. 

I. Emma A., b. March 16, 1852 ; md. Sept. 4, 1870,. 
Herbert W. Whitney, son of Otis Whitney, 
q. V. 
II. Franh L., b. Aug. 1, 1854; md. April 30, 1876» 
Sarah A. Nichols, dau. of John Nichols, q. v. 

III. Walter H., b. Sept. 13, 1858; a physician. Vide 

page 509. 

IV. Susie E., b. Dec. 1, 1861. 
V. Lizzie L., h. Jan. 7, 1865. 

VI. BertonH., b. July 11, 1867; d. Aug. 8, 1870. 
VII. Harlan B., b. Dec. 10, 1871 ; d. July 22, 1877. 



Oliver Marble, twin brother of Jabez Marble, md. 
Deborah Bailey, and with five children removed to this 
town in 1789. He settled on the Emory Fairbanks farm 
now of Charles Kelton. He d. while visiting a son in 
Lyndeboro', N. H., July 29, 1827. His widow d. in this- 
town Aug. 28, 1833, aged 70. 

I. Oliver, b. Aug. 8, 1781.-|- 

II. Rhoda, b. Oct. 10, 1783 ; md. Nathan Taylor, q. v. 
m. Deborah, b. Aug. 6, 1785; md. Dec. 12, 1805, 
Asa Eaton, b. Nov. 29, 1785, son of Benjamin 
and Lydia Eaton of Ashby. They removed ta 
Springfield, Vt. 
IV. Bailey, b. Aug. 3, 178-; removed to western New 
York ; md. Penelope Hall. 
Ljois, b. Sept. 20, 1791 ; md. John Hall, q. v. 
Tamar, b. July 2, 1789 ; d. Oct. 27, 1794. 
Samuel, b. July 8, 1793.-f- 
Hannah, b. Nov. 10, 1795; md. Joel Barrett, 

q. V. ; md. (2d) Joseph Miller, q. v. 
Abner, h. Oct. 29, 1798; resided in Lyndeboro', 
N. H. 



49 


V. 


50 


VI. 


51 


VII. 


52 


VIII. 



808 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



54 



(45) 



55 

56 
57 



58 
59 

60 



61 

62 
63 

64 
65 
66 

(51) 



X. Tamar, h. June 23, 1803 ; md. Sept. 27, 1832, 
Benjamin C. Pillsbury ; they reside in Ashby. 
Three or more children. 



Oliver Marble md. April 7, 1805, Dolly Green, dau. 
of Oliver Green, q. v. He resided in this town many 
years and subsequently in New Ipswich, where he d. in 
1851 ; his widow d. Nov. 12, 1859. 

I. Alma G., b. March 29, 1806 ; md. John Leathers, 

q. V. 
II. Betsey, b. ; d. March 16, 1808. 

III. Lewis, b. May 7, 1809 ; md. Dec. 11, 1842, Louisa 

Adams; he was a millwright; d. in this town 
Oct. 25, 1844. 

1. Lewis, b. 1844. 

IV. Heman L., b. April 7, 1811 ; a carriage maker in 

Springfield, Vt. ; md. Eliza Smallev. 

V. Asaliel,\). Feb. 1, 1814; md. Sept. 8, 1842, Betsey 

Walton, b. Aug. 10, 1814, dau. of Nathan Wal- 
ton of Rindge ; he was a mechanic ; resided in 
New Ipswich, Rindge, and after 1850 in Ash- 
burnham, where he d. Jan. 15, 1871. 

1. Henry A., b. Aug. 29, 1843; enlisted in 

|53d Regiment ; d. at New Orleans May 
19, 1863. 

2. Nathan E., b. Jan. 6, 1848; d. unmd. 

March 13, 1879. 

3. William A., b. Sept. 18 1850; unmd.; 

resides in Ashburnham. 

VI. Dorothy II., b. Nov. 11, 1816 ; md. Elliot Moore, 

q. V. 
VII. Chester, b. March 19, 1820; md. Sarah Smalley ; 

resided at Chicago, 111. 
VIII. jLatJMa'a, b. April 4, 1823 ; unmd.; resides at Town- 
send. 



Samuel Marble resided in Lyndeboro' and in Milford, 
N. H., and later in Jaffrey, N. IL, where he d. April 10, 
1883. He md. May 21, 1816, Lucy Metcalf, dau. of 
Elzekiel vS. Metcalf, q v. ; md. (2d) Grata Carter, b. Dee. 
26, 1804, dau. of Capt. Jonah Carter; md. (3d) Olive 
Greenwood. Thcn'e were six children of Samuel and Lucy 
(Metcalf) Marble. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



809 



67 


I. 


Bailey, b. ; rad. Nov. 10, 1839, Nancy Ellis, 

dau. of Jesse Ellis, q. v. They resided in this 
town and subsequently in Lowell, where she d. 
Jan. 31, 1854; he d. 1881. 


68 




1. Abbie Jane, b. Sept. 10, 1842. 


69 




2. MaryE., b. Sept. 13, 1846; d. Oct. 14, 

1847. 


70 




3. Waldo B., b. Aprils, 1851. 


71 


II. 


Howard, b. July 23, 1820; md. April 6, 1847, 
Mary A. Crehore, dau. of Col. Timothy Cre- 
hore, (/. V. They reside in Fitchburg. 


72 


III. 


Louisa, h. . 


73 


IV. 


Dustan, b. ; resides at Akron, Ohio. 


74 


V. 


Calvin, b. ; resides at Cleveland, Ohio. 


75 


VI. 


Tila, b. ; d. unmd. at Jaffrev, N. H., May 

21, 1883. 



MARTIN. 

JoHx Martin, Jr., and wife Elizabeth, removed from Ipswich to Lunen- 
burg 1739. He d. about 1753, leaving a widow and ten children. Of these, 
four at least became associated with the people of Ashburnham : I. John, b. 
Oct. 12, 1740 (No. 1); IL Elizabeth, b. June 12, 1744, md. Job Colman, 
q. V. ; III. Susannah, b. April 1, 1751, md. Benjamin Colman, q. v. ; IV. 
Prudence, b. May G, 1753, md. Amos Brooks, q. v. 



John Martin, son of John and Elizabeth Martin, b. 
Oct. 12, 1740, md. March 3, 17G1, Betty Chaplin of Lun- 
enburg. They united with the church in 1764, and with- 
drew to join the Baptists in 1778. He was identified with 
the settlement, but it is probable he lived over the line in 
Fitchburg. Five children were baptized after the ordina- 
tion of Mr. Gushing. There is no record of baptisms dur- 
ing the ministry of Mr. Winchester. 

Barzillai, bap. June 4, 1769. 
Betty, bap. Oct. 28, 1770. 
Molly, bap. Sept. 22, 1772. 
Prudence, bap. Sept. 11, 1774. 
Sarah, bap. April 13, 1777. 

Lewis G. Matthews was b. in Gardner May 13, 1817. 
He is a son of Joel and Sarah (Coolidge) Matthews and 
a grandson of John and Patience (Graves) Matthews. 
He was a merchant several years at the South Village, 
wliere he still resides, unmd. 

Hezekiah Matthews, a brother of Lewis G., was b. in 
Gardner Oct. 24, 1818; md. June 9, 1851, Sally Gates, 



2 


I 


3 


II 


4 


III 


o 


IV 


6 


V 



810 



HISTORY OF ASIIBURNHAM. 



10 



dau. of William Gates, q. v. 
was a manufacturer of chairs, 
lage. Two children. 



For a number of years he 
He resides at South Vil- 



I. Edward L., b. March 9, 1855 ; d. young. 
II. Josephine Isabel, b. Nov. 4, 1860. 



Sumner May was b. in Sterling Jul}' 18, 1799. He 
was a son of Levi and Deborah (Wilder) May, grandson 
of Thomas and great-grandson of John May. He resided 
in Westminster until the autumn of 1827, when he 
removed to South Village. In 1856, in connection with 
his son Charles, he built the mill occupied by Bernard 
Duane & Co. He md. in Westminster, Nov. 15, 1821, 
Mira Eaton, b. Nov. 20, 1800, dau. of Nathan Eaton ; 
she d. May 4, 1861 ; md. (2d) Feb. 13, 1862, Mrs. Phil- 
etta J. Johnson of Templeton. He d. Feb. 9, 1879. 

I. Augustine, b. Oct. 14, 1822; md. 1846, Lorena 

Cram of Gardner. 
II. Anqustus (twiu),b. Oct. 14, 1822; md. Elizabeth 

Keed of Groton ; he resides at South Village. 

III. Levi Wilder, b. Feb. 2, 1825 ; resides in Newfield, 

N. J. ; he md. 1846, Mary Bosworth of Win- 
chendon. 

IV. Charles Sumner, b. April 10, 1827 ; unmd. ; re- 

sides at South Village. 
V. Harriet Elvira, b. Feb. 2, 1829 ; md. J. B. Bar- 

rell, q. v. 
VI. George Washington, b. Oct. 14, 1831 ; md. Jane 

Iloyt ; resides in Templeton. 
VII. /Sarah E., b. Feb. 13, 1834; d. unmd. July 4, 

1858. 
VIII. Orange Scott, b. Nov. 22, 1836 ; unmd. ; resides 
at South Village. He is a postmaster at Ash- 
burnham Depot. 
IX. Achsah Irene, b. July 5, 1839 ; md. April 14, 
1861, Stephen C. Whitney of Westminster. He 
d. Feb. 20, 1863. Vide p. 455. She resides in 
Templeton. 



MAYNARD. 

John Matnard, the emigrant ancestor of the Maynard family of New Eng- 
land, was a resident of Sudbur}'. His homestead was in the east part of the 
town and is now included within the town of Wayland. He was nid. in Eng- 
land, and came to America in 1(138. He shared in the division of Sudbury 
meadows 1G39, and was one of the petitioners for the town of Marlboro', 
where he settled his son, John. He was a selectman and held other office in 
Sudbury. No record of his first marriage or the death of his wife appears; 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



811 



he md. (2d) 1646, Mary Axtell, by whom he had three daughters. He d. 
Dec. 1, 1672: his widow was residing in Charlestown during the Indian 
troubles in 1675-6. John Maynard, son of John, was b. in England 1630, 
being eight years of age when his father came to America. He md. April 5, 
1658, Mary Gates, dau. of Stephen Gates of Lancaster and Cambridge, and 
settled in Marlboro'. He was a selectman and was prominently associated 
with the affairs of the settlement. He md. (2d) Sarah Blanford Keyes, b. 
Jan. 27, 1642-3, widow of Elias Keyes and dau. of John and Dorothy 
(Wright) Blanford of Sudbury. Eight children by first and three by second 
marriage. He d. Dec. 22, 1711; his widow was living in 1722. David 
Maynard, son of John and Mary (Gates) Maynard, b. Dec. 21, 1669, md. 
Hannah Wait, dau. of Joseph and Ruhamah (Hager) Wait. He lived in the 
westerly part of Marlboro', now Westboro', and, following in the footsteps 
of his father and grandfather, he was much employed in town affairs and was 
frequently chosen to office. His wife d. March 16, 1724-5; he md. (2d) 
Feb. 6, 1732-3, Jemima Brigham. He d. Oct. 2, 1757. Of his eleven chil- 
dren, the descendants of Nathan and Jotham have resided in Ashburnham. 
Nathan Maynard, son of David, was b. in Westboro' Jan. 2, 1722; md. Jan. 
1, 1750-1, Lucy Pratt, according to town records, but Lucy Whipple by tradi- 
tion. He lived in Westboro', where he d. 1811; his wife d. May 18, 1773. 
Nehemiah Maynard, son of Nathan, b. May 27, 1754, settled in this town 
and is No. 1 in the following register. 

Jotham Maynard, son of David and Hannah (Wait) Maynard, b. May 29, 
1714, md. 1740, Abiah or Abigail Allen and resided in Westboro' and Bolton. 
The eldest of their ten children was Jotham Maynard, b. March 14, 1741; 
md. 1763, Dinah. Powers. The sixth of their seven children was Dea. Anti- 
pas Maynard, b. in Bolton April 27, 1776; md. Aug. 14, 1797, Sally Rice, b. 
in Marlboro' Nov. 15, 1772, dau. of Eleazer and Elizabeth (Darling) Rice. 
They resided in Sullivan, N. H., and in Keene, N. H., where he d. March 
15, 1833; she d. in Boston, Oct. 22, 1861. Of their children, Antipas May- 
nard, b. in Sullivan, N. H., Dec. 31, 1801, is No. 23 in the following register. 
Jotham Maynard, the grandfather of Antipas Maynard of Ashburnham, was 
a first cousin of Nehemiah Maynard of Ashburnham. 



1 



Nehemiah Maynard, the first of the name in Ashburn- 
ham, was b. in Westboro' May 27, 1754. He was a son 
of Nathan and Lucy (Pratt) Maynard. He md. Dorothy 
Maynard, b. in Shrewsbury Oct. 3, 1748, dau. of Reuben 
and Dorothy (Williams) Maynard. He settled in Ash- 
burnham, on the farm now of Joel H. Liteh, in 1775 or 
the spring of 1776. He d. May 29, 1828. 

I. Echvard, b. June 4, 1776. -j- 
II. Stephen^ b. March 11, 1778. -j- 
m. Sally, b. April 21, 1780; md. Sept. 27, 1803, 
Stephen Lawrence, b. May 28, 1780, .son of 
Charles and Naomi Lawrence of Ashb}^ She d. 
in Ashby July 24, 1810 ; he md. (2d) Mehitable 
Coe. There were two children by first marriage. 

1. Amy, b. Sept. 6, 1805. 

2. Charles, b. Jan. 20, 1808 ; d. Feb. 24, 

1808. 

IV. JoscpJi, b. Oct. 24, 1782; md. Dec. 13, 1804, 
Sarah Miller, b. Jan. 3, 1785, dau. of Isaac 



-812 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



9 
10 

11 
12 

13 
14 

(2) 

15 

16 
17 

(3) 

18 



19 



VI. 



Miller, q. v. They resided in this town a short 
time after marriage, and in New Hampshire and 
Vermont; he d. about 1815; his widow md. 
(2d) Dec. 25, 1817, Amos Stearns of Winchen- 
don, whose first wife was Deborah Hunt, dau. 
of Dea. Sherebiah Hunt. 

1. Joseph Bennett, b. April 13, 1805 ; d. July 

15, 1835. 

2. Laban, b. April 24, 1807 ; d. July 5, 1844. 

3. Alonzo, b. March 11, 1809; d. Aug. 2, 

1857. 

4. Sally L., b. June 2, 1811. 

5. Sarah A., b. April 16, 1813 ; md. Prentice 

Britton of Northfield. 

Timothy, b. Oct. 9, 1785 ; he was taxed a few 
years in this town. He md. Sally Whiting of 
Lancaster and removed to Vermont. 

Miza, b. Dec. 7, 1788 ; md. Stephen Gibson 
of Ashby. She d. March 18, 1861. Among 
their children is Eber Gibson of this town. 



Edward Maynard md. March 31, 1801, Persis Gates, 
dau. of Henry Gates, q. v. He was one of the Ashburn- 
ham Light Infantry when in service in the AVar of 1812. 
He d. Oct. 9, 1825 ; she d. in Fitchburg 1861. 

I. Levi, b. March 19, 1806 ; was a blacksmith in this 
town, where he d. June 9. 1831. He md. March 
5, 1829, Harriet French of Templeton. 

II. Eliza, b. Sept. 23, 1808; md. Alfred M. Wheeler 
of Fitchburg. 

III. Sarah Lawrence, b. Dec. 20, 1814; md. Josiah 
W. Boutelle. 

Stephen IMaynard md. April 7, 1803, Miriam Ellis, 
dau. of Jesse Ellis, q. v. He was a farmer on the home- 
stead. He d. Aug. 3, 1840 ; she d. March 14, 1853. 

I. Horace, b. Nov. 4, 1804; md. 1828, Lydia Froth- 
ingham of Lancaster. He was a farmer ; d. in 
this town Aug. 19, 1849. There were five 
children ; the birth of twins, Lydia A. and Luc}^ 
Jane, b. March 19, 1831, is found in town 
records. The widow and children removed from 
town 1850. 
II. Dorothy, b. Jan. 3, 1806 ; md. John Brown, q. v. ; 
md. (2d) Ohio Whitney-, Sen., q. v. 



20 
21 



22 



23 



24 
25 



26 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. gj^ 

III. Lucy, b. Jan. 23, 1808 ; md. Joel H. Litch, q. v. 



David Maynard, son of David, Jr., and a first cousin 
of Nebemiah Maynard, md. June 11, 1767, Sarah Savage. 
They were admitted to the church 1772, and in 1804 were 
dismissed to Chittenden, Vt. In the meantime seven 
children were baptized. It is probable that they lived 
over the line in Westminster. 



Levi Maynard md. 1812, Phebe (Wright) Winter, 
widow of John Winter, q. v. He removed to this town, 
leaving twelve children by a former marriage, and d. here 
Dec. 30, 1822. He was a brother of David Maynard. 
His widow md. (3d) Aug. 13, 1829, Benjamin Hawks; 
he d. about 1840 ; and last of all she d. Dec. 27, 1847. 



Antipas Maynard, son of Antipas and Sally (Rice) 
Maynard, was b. in Sullivan, N. H., Dec. 31, 1801. He 
md. Dec. 3, 1822, Almira Samson, dau. of Oliver Samson, 
q.v. He resided a few years in Keene, N. H., and in 
1833 removed to this town, where they lived to an 
advanced age. Mr. Maynard was a man of generous 
sympathies and an ardent temperament. His faith and 
courage were never clouded. In business affairs he was 
exact and honest, and in his social relations he was kind 
and considerate. In every good work his sympathies 
were spontaneous and his adherence loyal and firm. He 
was prominent in the Methodist church, and for many 
years his efforts were unabated and his influence contin- 
ually renewed. His worthy example lives in the memory 
of his associates and in the love of his children. He d. 
Nov. 18, 1882 ; his widow d. July 29, 1886. 

I. Nancy A.,\i. Oct. 27, 1823 ; md. Charles Winches- 
ter, son of Caleb Winchester, q. v. 
II. George A., b. March 3, 1826 ; md. Sept. 25, 1848, 
Sarah A. Merry, b. Aug. 5, 1827, dau. of Capt. 
John and Sarah A. Merry of Edgecomb ; she d. 
Sept. 2, 1.S70 ; he md. (2d) Oct. 12, 1872, Mary 
E. McLean, b. Oct. 12, 1847, dau. of Anthony 
and Martha McLean of Shelburne. Eight chil- 
dren. He is a commission merchant : resides 
in Somerville. 
III. Lambert 3L, b. March 26, 1828; md. Feb. 17, 
1853, Rose W. Knight, b. Oct. 31, 1828, dau. 
of Asa and Susan M. Knight ; resides in Somer- 
ville. 



814 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



27 



28 



29 
30 



31 



32 
33 



34 
35 

36 

37 



IV. Ahbie S., b. Aug. 11, 1830; md. July 2, 1848, 
Stillrnan S. Knapp, b. March 6, 1825, son of 
Eliab and Rachel Knapp of Mason, N. H. ; he 
resides in Gardner. 
V. Lizzie (7., b. May 23, 1833; md. Nov. 22, 1854, 
Oliver D. Wilder, b. Aug. 25, 1830, son of 
Josiah P. and Amanda (Carter) Wilder of New 
Ipswich. He was in the service in the Civil 
War from this town. In 18 — he removed to 
Lowell. 
VI. Infant, b. and d. May 11, 1834. 
VII. Jane A., b. March 27, 1836 ; md. Nov. 22, 1854, 
Frank W. Cnmraings, b. Jan. 31, 1831, son of 
George Cummings of Plymouth, N. H. ; resides 
in Shirley. 
VIII. Elliot ^1., b. Oct. 14, 1839; md. April 6, 1864, 
Mary Jane Clark, who d. Jan. 14, 1874 ; md. 
(2d) May 4, 1873, Abbie B. Caswell. He is a 
carpenter in Ashburnham and postmaster at 
Central Village. 

1. Irving E., b. Oct. 3, 1868. 

2. Mamie Addie, b. May 2, 1871 ; d. April 

20, 1873. 

IX. Susan H., b. March 8, 1841 ; md. Frank W. Wal- 
lace, q. V. 
X. Mary Isabel, h. July 20, 1843; md. Nathan Eaton, 

q. V. 
XI. Charles Wesley, b. Oct. 21, 1845. He was a rail- 
road conductor; d. unmd. at Houston, Texas, 
Oct. 18, 1873. 
XII. Emma C, b. Nov. 4, 1848; md. Nathan Eaton, 
q. V. 



Daniel McIntire was b. in Reading July 2, 1781. He 
was a son of Daniel and Jane (Hutchinson) McIntire of 
Reading and later of Fitchburg. He md. April 24, 1808, 
Sally Billings, dan. of Joshua Billings, q. v., and settled 
on the north turnpike on the farm now occupied by 
his sons. He d. Aug. 27, 1860 ; his widow d. Aug. 18, 
1871. 

I. Lewis, b. Sept. 29, 1808; md. May 7, 1846, 
Syrena Whitney, b. Oct. 16, 1808, dau. of Ben- 
jamin and Nancy (Fuller) Whitne}^ of Marl- 
boro', N. H. ; she d. July 9, 1851 ; he resides 
on the homestead. 



9 
10 



11 

12 



13 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 315 

ri. Daniel, b. Nov. 24, 1810; unmd. ; resides on the 
homestead. 

III. Allen, b. June 3, 1818 ; unmd. ; resides on the 

homestead. 

IV. Lavina, b. April 4, 1823 ; d. young. 

V. Jane E., b. Feb. 11, 1825; md. Jan. 1, 1846, 
Luther L. Howard of Royalston ; resides in 
Nashua, N. H. 



Jacob McIntire, a brother of Daniel Mclntire (1), 
removed to Jefferson county. New York, and there md! 
Polly Russell. In 1840 he removed to this town. He 
was a farmer and a blacksmith and resided on the farm 
more recently of his son. Parley Mclntire. He d. Auff 
9, 1863 ; she d. May 8, 1868. 

I. Adaline, b. ; md. Feb. 17, 1840, Timothy 

Metcalf, b. Jan. 26, 1798, son of Timothy and 
Ruth (Chaplin) Metcalf of Riudo;e ; she d. Julv 
28, 1843. ^ 

1. Timothy, b. June 15, 1841. 

2. Adaline, b. July 21, 1843; d. Auo-. 16 

1843. 

II. Jane, b. ; md. April 15, 1839, Joseph Davis, 

son of Ebenezer Bennett Davis, g. v. 
III. David Dean, b. Oct. 13, 1826 ; md. June 19, 
1850, Hannah S. Cowdrey, dan. of Jacob ancl 
Hannah (Blood) Cowdrey; she d. June 19, 
1880; he md. (2d) Feb. 5, 1881, Eunice M. 
Buxton. He is a farmer in the north part of 
the town on the Benjamin farm. 



1. Adaline Maria, b. Oct. 13, 1852; d. 
unmd. July 2, 1875. 

14 2. Edward, b. Feb. 1, 1854; md. Aug. 21, 
1875, Mary Emily Marcy, dau. of Wash- 
ington Marcy of Holland. He resides 
in Rindge. Three children. 

1^ 3. Amanda, b. 1856; d. Jan. 2, 1863. 

1^ 4. Mary, b. Dec, 1857 ; d. April 13, 1858. 

1' 5. Arthur, b. Jan. 29, 1859 ; d. young. 

15 6. Talbot, b. Jan. 13, 1861; md. 1882, 

Isabel Blankinship ; resides in Boston. 
1^' J 7. Waterman, b. Nov. 8, 1863 ; md. Jan., 

1887, Emeline Nichols. 
8. Frederick L., b. Aug. 5, 1865. 



20 



816 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



21 



22 

23 

24 

25 

26 
27 
28 

29 
30 

31 
32 



IV. Robert Wldte, b. April 7, 1828 ; md. June 30, 
1853, Eliza K. Cowdrey, b. Jan. 26, 1827, dau. 
of Jacob and Hannah (Blood) Cowdrey. He is 
proprieter of the Corey Mills near the line of 
Rindge, and for several years has been one of 
the road commissioners. 

1. Emma Clara, b. Oct. 7, 1854 ; d. Oct. 18, 

1854. 

2. Flora Helen, b. Nov. 2, 1856 ; d. Nov. 16, 

1862. 

3. Walter Herbert, b. Jan. 9, 1858 ; d. Oct. 

25, 1862. 

4. Carrie Belle, b. May 15, 1861 ; md. James> 

A. Lane, son of Allen F. Lane, q. v. 

5. Herman R., b. Sept. 10, 1862. 

6. Effie E., b. Dec. 28, 1864. 

7. Hiland, b. April 18, 1867 ; d. Sept. 28,. 

1869. 

8. Gertie V., b. Jan. 16, 1869. 

v. Parley, b. Aug. 23, 1833 ; md. Jan. 1, 1856, Hattie 
E. Hardy of New Ipswich. In the Civil War he 
served in the 25th Regiment. 

1. Ruby S., b. 1860; md. Charles Wilson; 

reside in Jaffrev, N. H. 

2. Frank, b. "June 22, 1872. 



Nathan Melvin was a resident of Dorchester Canada, 
several years previous to the incorporation of Ashburn- 
ham. He lived in the ninth school district and near the 
Amos Pierce farm. He was a farmer and an innholder. 
He was chosen a deer reeve in 1765, and subsequently 
was an assessor and a selectman. In 1775 his name is 
found on the roll of Capt. Davis' company. He was here 
in 1780 and was then chosen a surveyor of the highways, 
but the family removed soon after that date. The name 
of his wife was Anna ; six or more children were b. in this 
town. Mary Melvin, probably a relative and possibly an 
elder dau., md. Sept. 11, 1770, John Bigelow. 

I. Anna, b. Nov. 8, 1760. 
II. Sarah, b. Sept. 15, 1762. 

III. Phehe, b. March 27, 1765. 

IV. Hejjsibah. b. March 24, 1767. 
V. Nathan, b. March 1, 1769. 

VI. Theodore, b. May 1, 1771. 



GENEALOGICAL llEGISTER. 



817 



MERRIAM. 

During the Revolution, and until the close of the century, a familj- of 
Merriam resided in this town, but none of the descendants of this family 
appear among the later inhabitants of Ashburnham. Isaac Merriam, the head 
of tliis family, was of the fifth generation of Merriam in this country. 
Through valued favors of George O. Merriam of Dorchester this register is 
rendered more complete. Joseph Merriam, a son of William and Sarah 
Merriam of Hadlowe, county of Kent, England, with wife Sarah, is found 
residing in Concord at an early date. He was admitted freeman March 14, 
1638, and d. Jan. 1, 1G41. Joseph Merriam, probably the eldest of three 
sons, was b. 1630; he md. July 12, 1G53, Sarah Stone, b. 1633, dau. of Dea. 
Gregory Stone. He was admitted freeman May 22, 1651; he d. April 20, 
1677; his widow d. April 8. 1704. Thomas Merriam, son of Joseph and 
Sarah (Stone) Merriam. b. 1672, md. Dec. 23, 1696, Mary Hayward, and 
resided in Lexington, where he was a constable and selectman several years. 
He d. Aug. 16, 1738; his widow d. Sept. 29, 1756. The youngest of several 
sons was Isaac Merriam, b. July 11, 1714. He md. Sarah Davis, and among 
his children was Isaac Merriam of Ashburnham. 

Benjamin Merriam, number 32, was of the seventh generation in this 
country, and was a descendant of John, another son of Joseph and Sarah 
(Stone) Merriam. He was b. May 30, 1662; md. 1688, Mary Wheeler of 
Concord; resided at Cambridge Farms, now Lexington, and was one of the 
most prominent men of the parish and of the town. He d. May 21, 1727; 
his widow d. Dec. 26, 1747. His son, Jonas Merriam, bap. Jan. 12, 1704, 
md. Oct. 3, 1728, Abigail Locke, b. June 22, 1710, dau. of Dea. William and 
Abigail (Hayward) Locke of Woburn; she d. Dec. 5, 1755; he md. (2d) 
June 22, 1758, Sarah Winship. He lived in Lexington and was frequently 
chosen to office. He d. July 23, 1776; his wife d. March 15, 1773. Abra- 
ham Merriam, son of Jonas, b. Dec. 23, 1734, md. April 22, 1756, Sarah 
Simonds, b. April 25, 1739, dau. of Daniel and Abigail (Smith) Simonds. 
They lived some years in Lexington and about 1767 removed to Woburn, 
where their son, Ezra Merriam, was b. June 15, 1760. He md. Susan Elliot 
and resided in Mason, N. H. 



Isaac Merriam, son of Isaac and Sarah (Davis) Mer- 
riam, was b. in Concord 1736. He md. April 10, 1759, 
Eleanor Munroe of Lexington who d. in Concord July 19, 
17G7; he rad. (2d) Dec. 2, 1767, Rebecca Davis of 
Acton. With four children he removed to Ashburnham 
in 1772 or early in 1773. He was a selectman and promi- 
nent in the affairs of the town. In 1793 he removed to 
Groton, N. II. 

David, b. in Concord Jan. 28, 1760.-f- 
Isaac, b. in Concord Jan. 29, 1762.4- 
Jonathan, b. in Concord July 6, 1764.-|- 
Beiijamin, b, in Concord July 9, 1767 ; d. in 

Malone, N. Y. 
Rebecca, b. in Concord Nov. 12, 1771. 
Joshua, b. in Ashburnham Nov, 11, 1775; d. in 
Malone, N. Y. 
VII. Jonas, b. in Ashburnham April 25, 1780 ; lived in 

Brandon, Vt. 
52 



2 


I. 


3 


11. 


4 


III. 


5 


I v. 


6 


V. 


7 


VI. 



818 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



(2) 



9 

10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 

(3) 



(4) 



26 

27 
28 

29 
30 
31 



Capt. David Mekrtam came to this town with the 
family ; was a soldier in the Revolution. Vide page 192. 
He md. Nov. 21, 1782, Phebe Foster, dau. of Moses Fos- 
ter, Jr., q. v., and soon after this marriage he removed to 
Brandon, Vt. His wife d. April 7, 1794, and he again 
appears in the records and is styled Capt. David Merriam, 
and md. Feb. 10, 1795, Betty Conant, dau. of Ebenezer 
Conant, Jr., q. v. He d. in Brandon, Vt., Feb. 15,^ 
1849 ; his wife d. June 3, 1842. 

I. Phebe, b. Dec. 26, 1783. 
II. David, b. June 9, 1786. 

III. George W., b. Oct. 4, 1787. 

IV. Isaac Foster, b. July 27, 1790. 
V. Cyrus, b. July 14, 1793. 

VI. Betsey, b. Sept. 13, 1796. 
VII. Alvi7i, b. March 26, 1802. 
VIII. Angeline E., b. July 18, 1808. 
IX. Daniel D. 



Isaac Merriam was a soldier in the Revolution. Vide 
page 191. After the war he removed from this town and 
subsequently lived in Northumberland, N. H. He md. 
1786, Betsey Wait, b. April 8, 1765. He d. in Jackson, 
N. Y., Feb. 1, 1853, Two of his children are living in 
Northumberland. 

David, b. May 5, 1790. 
Isaac, b Feb. 24, 1792. 
Betsey, b. March 2, 1794. 
William, b. March 21, 1796 ; d. July 5, 1814. 
Jonas, b. May 23, 1798. 
Benjamin, b. Sept. 15, 1801. 
Joseph Waite, b. Aug. 27, 1803. 
Sarah, b. March 31, 1808. 



18 


I. 


19 


II. 


20 


III. 


21 


IV. 


22 


V. 


23 


VI. 


24 


VII. 


25 


VIII. 



Jonathan Merriam md. Nov. 6, 1788, Sarah Conant, 
dau. of Ebenezer, Jr., g. v. He resided in this town until 
near the close of the century and removed wiih other 
families to Brandon, Vt., perhaps in 1798. He was a 
captain of the militia in this town. He d. April 26, 1826. 

I. Isaac, b. Oct. 25, 1789. 
II. Jonathan, b. Nov. 5, 1791. 

III. Sarah, b. Aug. 31, 1794 ; md. Rev. Samuel 

Waite, D. D. . 

IV. Abel Wood, b. . 

V. Mylon, b. . 



VI. Lydia, b. 



md. Jacob Powers of Brandon. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



819 



32 



39 
40 



Benjamin Merriam, son of Ezra and Susan (Elliot) 
Merriam, was b. in Mason, N. H., May 13, 1802. He 
md. Nov. 4, 1832, Irene Knapp, b. Jan. 4, 1812, dau. of 
Elijah and Rboda Knapp, of Mason, N. H. The family 
removed to this town in 1845, where he was engaged some 
years in the stove and hardware trade. He d. Aug 5^ 
1872. 



33 


I. 


34 


11. 


35 


III. 


36 


IV. 


37 


V. 


38 


VI. 



VII. 
VIII. 



d. Nov. 27, 1865, 
March 28, 1865. 
March 25, 1842. 
Francis J. Litch,. 



Benjamin F., b. Sept. 7, 1833 ; 

Henry A., b. June 16, 1835 ; d 

George E.,h. Sept. 3, 1837 ; d 

Emily E., b. July 7, 1842 ; md, 
g. V. 

Susan M., b. July 16, 1844 ; d. Dec. 13, 1861. 

Abbie J., b. Oct. 16, 1846 ; md. June 2, 1867, 
William H. Richardson of Ashburnham. He is 
a manufacturer of carriages and a dealer in car- 
riages, sleighs and furnishings. 

Laura E., b. Jan. 7, 1849 ; d. March 2, 1878. 

Clarabell A., b. Aug. 7, 1853 ; d. May 21, 1882. 



MERRIAM. 

The families of Merriam included in the following register are a branch of 
the Marion family. The name of Merriam was assumed by William and 
Joseph of Ashburnham and their descendants, and it appears that Ignatius 
Marion was the ancestor of the later families of Merriam in this town. This 
also accounts for the name of Meriam which frequently appears in the signa- 
tures and records of the town. John Marion, b. in England 1G20, d. in 

1705; Sarah, his wife, b. 1725, d. Feb. 3, 1709. Samuel Marion, son of 
John and Sarah, b. Dec. 14, 1655, lived in Boston, Charlestown and again in 

Boston. He md. Hannah , who d. April 4, 1G88. Reference is made to 

her death in Sewall's Diary : " At night Sam Marion's wife hangs herself in 
the chamber, fastening a cord to the Rafter Joice ; two or three said she was 
distracted and had been for some time. She was buried in the burying 
place." He md. (2d) Mary "Wilson, dau. of Edward and Mary (Hale) Wil- 
son of Charlestown. He d. Aug. G, 1726. Among the twelve children of 
Samuel Marion was Isaac Marion, a son of the second wife, b. in Charles- 
town March 8, 1C94. He md. July 7, 1717, Rebecca Knight, and of their five 
children Ignatius, the second son, came to Ashburnham, and Rebecca, the 
youngest, b. Oct. IS, 1730, d. here unmd. June 2, 1816. 



Ignatius Merriam, son of Isaac and Rebecca (Knight) 
Merriam, was b. Aug. 15, 1724. He lived in Lexington, 
where the birth of children Susannah and Joseph are 
recorded, and in Woburn. Joseph, in his affidavit, page 
209, alleges that he was b. in Woburn. I have found no 
record of his marriage. After his children were married 
and settled in life he came to this town, where two sons 
were living, about 1790. He d. April 3, and his wife d. 
April 2, 1799 ; they were buried in one grave in the old 
cemetery. 



820 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



2 


I. 


3 


II. 


4 


III. 


5 


IV. 


€ 


V. 


7 


VI. 


S 


VII. 



Mary, b. Feb. 9, 1749 ; md. 
Susannah, b. Jan. 9, 1751 
Ephraini Winship, b. in 



Draper. 

md. April 8, 1777, 
Lexington June 25, 



1753, son of Richard Winship. 

Sarah, b. June 19, 1754 ; md. Reed. 

Hepsibah, b, Aug. 2, 1756 ; md. Wetherbee. 

Abigail, b. March 20, 1760 ; d. unmd. in Frances- 
town, N. H. 

Joseph, b. Feb 3, 1763.+ 

William, b. Sept. 12, 1767.+ 



(7) 



9 

10 
11 

12 

13 

14 

<8) 



Joseph Merriam md. Sept. 25, 1782, Phebe Russell, b. 
May 24, 1764, dau. of Philip and Lydia (Dodge) Russell 
of Lexington. He lived a short time in Bedford, remov- 
ing to this town in 1784. He lived at the centre of the 
town, in the northwest, and subsequently in the southwest 
part of the town, near the toll-gate. He d. April 4, 1849, 
aged 86 years ; recorded 88 ; she d. May 29, 1845, aged 
81 years; recorded 71. 

I. Philip Russell, b. Jan. 4, 1784.-|- 
II. Josep)h, b. Aug. 19, 1785. -|- 

III. Nathan, b. Oct. 21, 1787; d. in Ashburnham 

unmd. April 7, 1851. 

IV. Phebe, b. Dec. 13, 1789 ; md. Philip Bowman, son 

of John Bowman, q. v. 
V. Jonas, b. Nov. 25, 1804 ; removed to New Orleans, 

La., where he d. unmd. Oct. 23, 1832. 
VI. Joshua, b. Oct. 10, 1807.-}- 



WiLLiAM Merriam md. Oct. 30, 1788, Rebecca Metcalf, 
dau. of Joseph Metcalf, q. v. He was a blacksmith and 
lived near Factory Village. He is remembered as a man 
of good character and an excellent citizen. He d. June 
11, 1834; shed. Dec. 9, 1831. 

William S., b. Feb. 14, 1789.-}- 
II. Ezekiel, b. May 17, 1792. -|- 

3foses B., b. March 19, 1794; md. March 14, 
1824, Abigail Simonds ; was a machinist; d. in 
Northboro' Dec. 24, 1876 ; his wife d. Dec. 17, 
1870. 

Rebecca, b. Dec. 12, 1796; d. April 1, 1819. 

Margaret S., b. April 26, 1800 ; d. June 10, 1830. 

Joel, b. Jan. 28, 1802.+ 

James, b. Oct. 16, 1803. + 

Asa, b. Feb. 2, 1810. + 

Sarah R., b. Sept. 20, 1816 ; d. Jan. 15, 1817. 



15 


I. 


16 


II. 


17 


III. 


18 


IV. 


19 


V. 


20 


VI. 


21 


VII. 


22 


VIII. 


23 


IX. 



(9) 



24 
25 
26 



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27 



28 
29 



30 

31 

32 
33 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 821 

Philip R. Merriam was a merchant and a manufacturer 
of chairs in this town, and for many years he was. 
engaged in teaming between Ashburnham and Boston. 
He was enterprising and ambitious and, until the advent 
of the Winchesters, who were his successors in the 
chair business, he was the principal supporter of the 
activities of the town. He md. Oct. 2, 1806, Sally San- 
derson, d;iu. of Moses Sanderson, q. v. ; she d. Oct. 15^ 
1843; rad. (2d) Sept. 6, 1844, Ruth (Wallis) Morton, 
widow of John D. Morton, q. v. He d. April 29, 1880 •, 
his wife d. June 7, 1865. 

I. Philip Russell, b. May 29, 1807.-|- 
II. Otis Whiton, b. May 27, 1812. -j- 
III. Fronds Henry, b. Sept. 23, 1845 ; d. unmd. April 
14, 1869. 



Joseph Merriam, son of Joseph, md. Sept. 11, 1806^ 
Betsey Adams ; md. (2d) May 4, 1809, Betty (Gates) 
Wheeler, widow of Josiah Wheeler of Gardner and dau. 
of John Gates, q. v. He removed 1807 to Boxboro' and 
subsequently lived in Chesterfield, N. H., and in Royals- 
ton. He d. Oct. 11, 1850. 

I. Josiah W., b. June 12, 1809 ; was a merchant ii> 
Baltimore; md. Eliza Ann Rowell ; md. (2d)' 
Catherine Hall. Six children. 
II. Elizabeth A., b. April 12, 1811 ; unmd. 

III. John (7., b. April 18, 1813; md. May 12, 1833, 

Sarah F. Warren ; lived several years in Leom- 
inster. Four children. 

IV. Sultina H., b. June 23, 1815 ; md. Nov. 17, 1842,. 

Edward H. Reif ; removed to Baltimore. Six 
children. 
V. Sarah G., b. May 7, 1817 ; md. Sept. 3, 1849, 
George W. E. Kelley of Hopkinton, N. H. 
Two children. 
VI. N^anaj H., b. Oct. 26, 1819; md. June 20, 18.VJ, 

Benjamin B. Howell. Five children. 
VII. Anna T., b. Aug. 26, 1822; md. Sept. 3, 1845, 
Henry Bisselle. Three children. 



(14) Joshua Merriam md. Nov. 19, 1835, Nancy W. Hol- 
brook, dau. of Jesse Holbrook, q. v. She d. July 30, 
1852 ; md. (2d) Nov. U, 1852, Roxanna Fassett of Fitz- 
william, N. H., who d. Oct. 3, 1859; md. (3d) June 1, 
1861, Jane R. Wood, b. in England, a sister of Rev. 
Pliny Wood. He is a shoemaker in Central Village. 



822 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



84 



35 
36 



<15) 



37 



38 

39 
40 

41 
42 

43 

44 

45 

46 
(16) 



11. 
III. 



Sarah E., b. May 21, 1839 ; md. March 10, 1868, 
Harding G. Woodward of Greenfield ; he d. 
March 9, 1884. Three children. 

JaneE., b. Sept. 29, 1840; d. Feb. 14, 1844. 

Effie Jane, b. June 2, 1863. 



William S. Merriam md. March 10, 1810, Martha 
Lawrence, dau. of Amos Lawrence, q. v. He was a black- 
smith in this town and lived on the Amos Whitney farm 
and near the homestead of his father. In 1841 he re- 
moved to Chelsea. He d. Aug. 3, 1878 ; she d. Aug., 
1872. 

I. Otis, b. Sept. 14, 1810; md. Jan. 1, 1830, Abigail 
R. Savils ; removed to Chelsea 1832 ; his wife 
d. May 7, 1839; md. (2d) Oct. 10, 1839, 
Harriet Lamont. He has continued a residence 
in Chelsea manj' years, and was an auctioneer 
and an insurance and real estate agent. A few 
years ago he began business at Putnam, Conn., 
and until recently was president of the Putnam 
Gas Light Company'. Four children. 

II. Ezra Lawrence, b. Feb. 28, 1812 ; md. Aug. 27, 
1835, Eliza B. Prescott who d. July 12, 1865 ; 
resides in Putnam, Conn. 

III. Martha J/., b. Oct. 10, 1814; md. L3'man Wood 

of Fitchburg ; she d. March 8, 1839. 

IV. William Newton, b. Nov. 15, 1816 ; md. 1841, 

Abigail Lord of Sanbornton ; removed to Chel- 
sea ; md. (2d) Margaret Clark ; served in 40th 
Mass. Regiment and d. in Andersonville prison. 
V. Susan Augusta Wilson, b. Nov. 8, 1818 ; md. Dec. 
12, 1855, William E. Stanwood. 

VI. Lihedy, b. Jan. 16, 1821 ; md. March 8, 1844, 

Lucinda Douglas ; md. (2d) 1854, Mary Ann 

Heath. He was a manufacturer of wall paper. 

VII. Elvira, b. Dec. 31, 1822; md. May 22, 1844, 

George G. Desmezes ; resides in Chelsea. 
VIII. Sultina Townsencl, b. June 15, 1825 ; md. Oct. 2, 
1845, William E. Stanwood ; she d. May 8, 
1853. 

IX. Jeremiah Metcalf, b. July 7, 1827 ; md. Nov. 7, 
1847, Elizabeth Moseley ; was a manufacturer 
of wall paper. 

X. Sarah, b. Nov. 6, 1829; d. Aug. 17, 1832. 

EzEKiEL Merriam md. Nov. 23, 1815, Nancy Reed, 
dau. of Jonas Reed, q. v. He was a stone-cutter and 



47 

48 



49 
50 



51 
52 



53 

<20) 

54 

55 
56 
57 

58 

59 

60 

61 

<21) 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 823 

resided in Mason, N. H., and in this town. He d. Jan. 
25, 18G3 ; slie d. Nov., 1875. 

I. Nancij, b. Aug. 26, 1816 ; md. Sept. 12, 1838, 
George Howard ; she d. in Ashby March 2, 
1848. 

II. WilUam Johnson, b. Aug. 25, 1818 ; md. June 1, 

1842, Matilda Russell of Boston ; he d. at 
Auburndale Dec. 16, 1875. 

III. Rebecca, b. Feb. 5, 1822 ; d. Feb. 25, 1822. 

IV. Rebecca, b. June 8, 1824 ; md. Nov. 19, 1840, 

Harvey Howard; she d. at Nashua, N. H., 
Aug. 26, 1870 ; he d. Feb. 6, 1874. 
V. George TF., b. Aug. 12, 1827; md. Nov. 1, 1850, 

Caroline Sears. 
VI. Sarah, b. Jan. 18, 1832; md. May 12, 1853, 
Theodore H. Wood, b. in Littleton April 13, 
1830. Mr. Wood removed from Worcester to 
Nashua in 1852. He was treasurer of the 
Nashua and Lowell Railroad several years and 
president of the Manchester and Keene Rail- 
road. Sarah (Merriam) Wood d. Sept. 5, 1880. 

1. Clara Abbott, b. July 2, 1854; md. April 
15, 1875, Francis E. Nims who d. June 
1, 1881. 



Joel Merriam md. 1826, Deborah Cook, dau. of John 
Cook, q. V. ; resided in this town ; he d. Dec. 17, 1858 ; 
she d. 1877. 

I. JoJin Cool; b. June 15, 1827 ; md. Oct. 7, 1849, 
Sophronia A. Chase of Leominster ; resides in 
Athol. 
II. Rosilla, b. Nov. 9, 1828 ; d. March 7, 1831. 

III. Rosilla, b. Dec. 5, 1831. 

IV. Mary E., h. June 15, 1834; md. Job Foster of 

Ashby ; he d. March 14, 1877. Six children. 

V. Edward Balcom, b. 1841 ; served in 36th Regi- 

ment ; resides in Lawrence. 

VI. Angeline, b. ; md. William Drury ; she d. in 

Worcester 1882. 

VII. Rhoda, b. ; md. Samuel McC ; resides 

in Lawrence. 
VIII. Melinda, b. Feb. 16, 1847; md. Clarence Upton; 
resides in Lawrence. 

James Merriam, son of William, md. 1827, Susan 
Bemis, b. in Winchendon May 27, 1807, dau. of Abel 



824 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



62 
63 



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64 

65 
66 
67 
68 

(24) 



69 
70 

71 



(25) 



Bemis. He resided in this town where he d. July 31, 1840 ; 
she md. (2d) Hosea Green, q. v. 

I. Dolhi, b. Nov. 2, 1830; d. Sept. 13, 1833. 
II. Dolly A., b. Aug.. 26, 1834, md. Prof. Levi W. 
Russell, q. v. 



Asa Merriam resided in this town until about 1848, 
when he removed to Gardner. He was much employed 
in town affairs ; was captain of the Light Infantry and 
represented the town of Gardner in the Legislature. He 
md. Oct. 11, 1832, Almira B. Crosbv, dan. of Frederic 
Crosby, q. v. She d. Feb. 13, 1845; md. (2d) 1845, 
Mary Barker, b. Aug. 31, 1811, whod. Aug. 13, 1864; 
md. (3d) Esther C. Ryan, b. May 27, 1825 ; d. March 23, 
1883. He d. in Gardner Jan. 24, 1885. 

I. Milton, b. April 29, 1835; md. Elizabeth G. 
Watts, b. March 30, 1837 ; resides in Gardner. 
II. Lavina, b. March 30, 1837. 
m. Mary Almira, b. Dec. 28, 1846. 

IV. Frances Neuton, b. Jan. 9, 1848 ; d. Sept. 23, 1848. 

V. Austin, b. May 25, 1852 ; d. Nov. 18, 1852. 



Philip R. Merriam, Jr., was engaged in business with 
his father and subsequently was a merchant in this town. 
He removed in 1840 to Chelsea and was in trade in that city 
and in Boston. He md. July 2, 1835, Helen A. Smallpeace, 
b. in Boston Feb. 20, 1816, dau. of Robert and Hannah 
(Stevens) Smallpeace. He d. March 25, 1879 ; his 
widow resides in this town. 

I. Helen Maria, b. April 27, 1838 ; d. May 16, 1852. 
II. Florence Otis, b. Oct. 24, 1853 ; md. Jan. 24, 1817, 

Frank H. Parker, son of Jesse Parker, q. v. 
III. Abbott Smallpeace, b. Sept 4, 1855 ; md. Aug. 31, 
1880, Jennie Fleming ; resides in Boston. 



Otis W. Merriam was associated with his father in the 
manufacture of chairs and subsequently was a partner of 
Charles Winchester. At his suggestion many substantial 
innovations were adopted, and while he remained in this 
town he was an important factor in the development of 
an industry which has contributed to the prosperity of 
the town. Subsequently" he was engaged in business in 
Boston and in California. He now resides, an invalid, in 
Chelsea. He md. Hepsey Gibson, dau. of Samuel Gibson 
of Ashby. She d. June 27, 1843 ; he md. (2d) . 




-rJ>v^^-^^-T-C<:)^^ 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



825> 



72 



I. Caroline A., b. 



; md. Forest S. Chadbourne ; 



resides in California. 



Daniel Merrill came to tliis town from Fitcliburg in 
April, 1766. He md. Sept. 27, 1766, Eunice Fellows^ 
dau. of Samuel Fellows, q. v. Three children were b. in 
this town, and in 1772 the famil}' removed to Deerfield. 
I have no record of a former marriage or the death of the 
first wife of Daniel Merrill ; but when he came to this 
town he had a son Moses. 

I. Moses^ b. previous to April, 1766. 
II. Daniel, b. May 7, 1767. 

III. Samuel, b. Oct. 19, 1768. 

IV. Billy, b. Dec. 5, 1770. 



MERRITT. 

Henry Merritt, b. in the county of Kent, England, about 1590, came to 
America previous to 1628. He settled in Scituate and became a large landed 
proprietor. He d., leaving sons John and Henry, 1652. The son John, b. 
about 1625, succeeded to the estate of his father in Scituate and is supposed 
to be the only son who left descendants. He md. 1655, Elizabeth Wyborne, 
dau. of Thomas Wyborne of Boston, and was living in 1670. John Merritt, 
son of John and Elizabeth (Wyborne) Merritt, b. in Scituate 1660, md. 168G, 
Elizabeth Hyland, dau. of Thomas and Elizabeth (Stockbridge) Hyland of 
Scituate. He d. in Scituate June 5, 1740, leaving twelve children. Among 
these was Jonathan Merritt, b. 1702; md 1727, Mehitable Damon, dau. of 
Zachary and Mehitable (Chittenden) Damon. About 1730 he removed from 
Scituate to Hebron, Conn., where he d. Oct. 21, 1758. Noah Merritt, son of 
Jonathan, b. 1730, removed to Templeton as early as 1753. I find no record 
of his marriage, but the fact is attested by thirteen children. He d. March 
-i, 1814. Simeon Merritt, son of Noah of Templeton, md. 1798, Dorcas 
Gay. They resided in Templeton. Their son, Increase Sumner Merritt, b. 
Oct. 15, 1799, resided some years in Gardner and returned to Templeton, 
where he d. April 15, 1877. He md. Susan Penniman, dau. of Ezra Penni- 
man of Gardner, who d. Aug. 21, 1862. Two sons of these parents have 
resided in this town. 



Simeon Merritt, son of Increase S. and Susan 
(Penniman) Merritt, was b. in Gardner March 21, 1823. 
At the age of twenty-three years he removed to this town 
and became prominently associated with public affairs. 
He was a selectman eight years, a road commissioner and 
was repeated!}' elected to other positions of trust. He 
was a delegate to the constitutional convention in 1853 and 
a representative to the Legislature in 1877. He was well 
informed in public affairs and the political problems of his 
time, and manifested a lively interest in local and national 
politics. He md. Aug. 13, 1846, I^unice Taylor, dau. of 
Epliraim Taylor, cj. v. She d. Dec. 3, 1872; md. (2d) 
Jan. 1, 1877, Abbie E. (Whitney) Barrell, widow of 
Charles W. Barrell and dau. of Ohio Whitney, q. v. He 
d. Dec. 19, 1882. 



826 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



I. Eunice Jane, b. May 27, 1847 ; d. Aug. 25, 1847. 
II. Ellen Anna, b. Oct. 21, 1851 ; d. Dec. 15, 1851. 



Ezra M. Merritt, a brother of Simeon, was b. in 
Gardner March 2, 1825. He is a chair maker and has 
resided in this town since 1849. He md. Dec, 1855, 
Adaline M. Sawyer, dau. of Abel Sawyer, q. v. ; she d. 
Aug. 14, 1886. 

I. Carrie M., b. Nov. 8, 1861 ; d. Jan. 10, 1866. 



Joseph Metcalf, b. Apri) 3, 1734, is found residing in 
Groton several years before he came to Ashburnham. In 
1755 he served in the Indian War. He md. Jan. 24, 
1759, Margaret (Shattuck) Bennett, b. in Groton July 
4, 1732, widow of Joseph Bennett and dan. of William 
and Margaret (Lund) Shattuck. These are the ancestors 
of all the Metcalf s who have resided in Ashburnham. 
They removed from Groton in 1770 and settled east of 
Lake Naukeag and about two hundred yards northwest 
from the residence of John T. Wilson. The fame of their 
kindness as neighbors and exemplary character is re- 
newed in the traditions of succeeding generations. Among 
their descendants are included many bearing the names of 
Rice, Townsend, Laws and Merriam, and in later genera- 
tions other names are included in the collateral branches. 
Joseph Metcalf d. from injuries received by falling from 
an apple tree, March 19, 1793, aged 59 years ; Margaret, 
his widow, d. suddenly in Groton, while visiting her 
brother, Job Shattuck, June 20, 1802, aged nearly 70 
years. 

Ezekiel SJiattucJc, b. Oct. 13, 1759. -|- 

Samuel, b. March 15, 1761.-4- 

Margaret, b. March 19, 1763 ; md. Reuben Town- 
send, q. V. 

Sarah, b. Sept. 7, 17G5 ; md Reuben Rice, q. v. 

Thankful, b. Aug. 18, 1767 ; d. young. 

Rebecca, b. Aug. 13, 1769 ; md. William Merriam, 
q. V. 

Joseph, b. Aug. 25, 1771 ; d. March 29, 1791. 

Jeremiah, b. Oct. 30. 1773 ; d. March 8, 177^. 

Thankful, b. May 18, 1775 ; md. March 21, 1797, 
James Laws, son of James Laws of Westminster. 



2 


I. 


3 


II. 


4 


III. 


5 


IV. 


6 


V. 


7 


VI. 


8 


VII. 


9 


VIII. 


10 


IX. 



2) 



Ezekiel S. Metcalf md. Jan. 10, 1782, Eunice Brooks. 
He was a farmer on the homestead. He d. May 31, 
1831 ; she d. June 12, 1811. 



11 

12 
13 

14 
15 
16 
17 

18 



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19 



20 
21 



22 



23 



24 



25 
26 



28 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 827 

I. Eunice, h. ; rad. Jonas Robbins, q. v. 

II. Ezekiel, b. .-\- 

III. Joseph, b. ; md. 1814, Lucy Adams of West- 

minster. Resided in Gardner. 

IV. Jeremiah, b. 1789.-f- 

V. Lxicy, b. ; md. Samuel Marble, q. v. 

VI. Asa, b. June 8, 1793 ; d. Sept. 10, 1794. 

VII. Dinah, b. ; md. Daniel Adams of Gardner. 

She d. about 1830, leaving eight children. 
VIII. Bhoda,h. Ma3^4, 1799; md. Phiuehas Stimson, 
Jr., q. V. 



Samuel IMetcalf, whose service in the Revolution is 
stated in Chapters V and VI, removed from this town 
about 1785. lie lived in Groton, N. H., where he d. 
Dec. 25, 1822. He md. Nov. 3, 1780, Phebe Fletcher who 
d. April 7, 1802 ; md. (2d) June 10, 1802, Betsey Kemp. 
Nearh^ all of his numerous children removed to the West. 

I. Samuel, b. Aug. 3, 1787 ; md. Dec. 26, 1815, Mary 
Ball of Groton, N. H. ; removed to Kirtland, 
Ohio. Three children. 
II. Reuben, b. Aug. 3, 1789 ; d. unmd. 1823. 

III. Aaron (twin), b. Aug. 3, 1789; md. 1812, Sally 

Ames, b. in Groton, N. H., 1788. (Probably 
this family of Ames were descendants of Stephen 
Ames who removed from Ashburnham to Groton 
in 1776.) Removed to Kirtland, Ohio. Four 
children. 

IV. Joseph, b. Aug. 12, 1792 ; md. Lucy Ames (a sister 

of Sally Ames), b. 1794; removed to Kirtland, 
Ohio ; she d. 1843. Three children. 

V. Levi, b. Nov. 7, 1794; md. Betsey Whipple of 
Groton, N. H. ; removed to Micliigan. He d. 
1848. Five children. 

VI. Hoses, b. May 5, 1797 ; md. Sally Overrocl^er ; re- 
moved to Jackson county, Mich. Six children. 

[Was his wife a descendant of John Overlook of 
Ashburnham?] 

VII. David, b. Feb. 10, 1799 ; d. March, 1799. 
VIII. Nehemiah, b. March 24, 1802 ; d. unmd. Nov. 11, 
1842. 
IX. Hard]! (twin), b. March 24, 1802; md. Nov. 24, 
1820, Judith B. Russell; removed to Plainfield, 
111. Six children, 
X. William, b. Dec. 31, 1804 ; a ship carpenter ; lived 
in Massachusetts. 



828 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



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34 
35 
36 

37 
38 



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39 
40 



41 



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43 

44 
45 
46 



(;u) 



XI. Betsey, b. June 15, 1808; md. Kidder; lived 

in Groton, N. H. 
XII. Infant, b. April 29, 1811 ; died in infancy, 
xm. Injant (twin), b. April 29, 1811 ; d. in infancy. 
XIV. PJiebe, b. May 28, 1815 ; md. Ezra Ames ; re- 
moved to Minnesota. 
XV. David, b. Jul}' 31, 1819 ; vrent to California. 



EzEKiEL Metcalf md. Feb. 16, 1815, Dorothy Foster, 
dau. of Samuel Foster, q. v. He was a farmer on Foster 
Hill. He d. Feb. 26, 1852 ; she d. April 14, 1867. 

I. Otis, b. Jan. 10, 1816.-}- 
n. Joel F., b. Jan. 6, 1819. -f- 

III. Mary Ann, b. April 17, 1821 ; md. Orin Morton, 

q. V. 

IV. Sultina, b. Dec. 2, 1824 ; d. Sept. 29, 1840. 

V. Lavhm S., b. Sept. 26, 1835 ; d. Sept. 14, 1848. 



Jeremiah Metcalp md. Nov. 28, 1815, Dorothy 
Clark, dau. of David Clark, q. v. He was a man of good 
repute ; a farmer on the old homestead. He d. March 25, 
1824; she d. May 12, 1869. 

I. Cynthia, b. Feb. 15, 1817; md. John Cook, q. v. 
II. Leonard, b. Jan. 27, 1819 ; md. Feb. 24, 1846, 
TrypheniaT. Travis of Shirley ; she d. April 30, 
1853 ; he md. (2d) March 25, 1854, Esther 
Damon of Ashby. He d. in this town Sept. 17, 
1857. Three children were b. in Boston. 

1. Frank A., b. Feb. 21, 1847 ; md. Sept. 11, 
1871, Ella H. Reynolds of New Bedford ; 
he resides in Charlestown. 

2. Helen M., b. Jan. 11, 1849; md. James 

Oilman. 

3. Charles H., b. Sept. 8, 1851. 

III. Levi, b. Jan. 29, 1821 ; d. unmd. March 18, 1847. 

IV. Charles, b. Feb. 16, 1823 ; d. Feb. 24, 1823. 

V. Georqe J., b. June 5, 1824; d. unmd. Dec. 6, 
1863. 



Otis Metcalf md. April 23, 1839, Sarah C. Davis, 
dau. of Reuben Davis of Ashby. He resided in the 
Central Village. In the Civil War he served in the 36th 
Regiment and was transferred to the Veteran Reserve 
Corps. He d. Feb. 8, 1872 ; she d. April 9, 1882. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER; 



829 



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48 

49 
(35) 



50 

51 

52 
53 
54 



George 0., b. April 12, 1840; d. in California 

April 14, 1870. 
S. Sultina, b. Feb. 18, 1842 ; md. Jan. 22, 1860, 

Martin V. B. Howe, b. in Jamaica, Vt., April 

7, 1837. Reside in Gardner. 
E. Augusta, b. May 29, 1844; md. Nov. 29, 1866, 

Cliarles Vf. Brigham, b. in Wardsboro', Vt., 

July 2, 1837 ; reside in Lowell. 



Joel F. Metcalf md. Nov. 28, 1839, Martha D. Davis, 
dan. of Reuben Davis of Ashby. He resided in this town 
until be removed to Leominster, 1870. He served his native 
town as an assessor and a selectman and with the influence 
of a good citizen. Five children. 

I. Emily, b. May 25, 1841 ; a physician in Waltham. O 
Vide page 516. - 

II. Sarah, b. Jan. 27, 1843; md. Nov., 1865, Jonas 

P. Sawin, son of Abram Sawin, q. v. 

III. Martha, b. Jan. 6, 1845 ; d. Nov. 4, 1864. 

IV. Maria, b. Dec. 25, 1846 ; md. Russell Whitney. 
V. Walton J., b. March 4, 1854 ; md. Nov. 15, 1879, 

Ada Harris ; resides at Leominister. 



MILLER 

The Miller families of Ashburnham are descendants of Dea. Joseph Miller, 
a prominent character in the early annals of Westminster. The emigrant 
ancestor was Richard Miller who is found in Charlestown 1G37; he removed 
to Cambridge and d. previous to 16G2, when his widow Eleanor md. (2d) 
Henry Harbard. Joseph Miller, son of Richard, b. about 1020, md. Mary 
Pope, dau. of AValter Pope. He resided in Cambridge and in Newton where 
he d. 1G97; his widow d. 1711. Samuel Miller, son of Joseph, was b. in 
Newton Sept. 24, 1678; md. 1708, Elizabeth Child. He was a selectman in 
Newton and subsequently removed to Worcester, where he d. 1759. Joseph 
Miller, son of Samuel, b. in Newton July 29, 1716, md. 1741, Mary Williams 
and became one of the early settlers of Westminster. He was an assessor, 
selectman , treasurer, a deacon of the church and a representative. Isaac Miller, 
b. in Westminster March 31, 17.54, the eighth of the eleven children of Dea. 
Joseph and Mary (Williams) Miller, md. 1779, Sarah Bennett. He resided 
in Westminster. To these parents seven children were b. as follows : I. 
Joseph, b. Sept. 22, 1780, resided in Ashburnham and is number 1 in the 

following register. II. Betsey, b. Feb. 18, 1782, md. Winslow. 

III. Sarah, b. Jan. 3, 1785, md. Joseph Maynard, q. v. IV. Rebecca, b. 
Dec. 20, 1786, md. Aug. 24, 1811, James Hancock of Surry, N. H.,and had 
ten children. V. Isaac, b. July 12, 1789. VI. Benjamin, b. April 15, 1791, 
resided some years in Ashburnham. No record of his marriage and children 
has been received. His dau., Susan W. Miller, md. Julv 3, 1842, John W. 
Hunt of Worcester. VII. Abigail, b. .Tune 18, 1793, md'. 1825, Ira llyland 
of Westmoreland, N. H. They had three children: 1. Clarissa Maria, b. 
Jan. 8, 1827, md. Frederic A. Parker; 2. Reuben, b. Jan. 21, 1829, road 
master and wood agent of Cheshire Railroad ; 3. Joseph M., b. Feb. 28, 1831. 
VIII. Dorcas, bap. Oct. 5, 1800. The mother, Sarah (Bennett) Miller, 
was a member of the church in Ashburnham and several of her children 
were baptized by Mr. Cushing. 



830 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



(4) 



c 



9 
10 

11 



V 



Joseph Miller, son of Isaac, b. in Westminster Sept. 
22, 1780, mcl.Dec. 2, 1802, Zipporah Ellis, dan. of Jesse 
Ellis, q. V. ; she d. Nov. 4, 1827 ; he md. (2d) June 4^ 
1829, Hannah (Marble) Barrett, widow of Joel Barrett, 
Jr., q. V. He was a carpenter in Ashbnrnham. He d. 
July 12, 1860 ; his widow d. Aug. 14, 1875. Three chil- 
dren by first and tAvo by second marriage. 

I. O&ed^., b. Feb. 26, 1803; md. June 17, 1827, 

Sarah Lapham of Fitchburg ; md. (2d) Sept. 

13, 1842, Hannah Twiss of Charlestown. He 

is a carpenter in Templeton. 

11. Nancy, h. May 29, 1805; d. unmd. Dec. 12, 1826. 

III. Stephen Austin, b. July 1, 1819. -|- 

IV. Sarah Nancy, b, April 18, 1830 ; md. Oct. 22, 

1851, William Leonard Davis, dealer in stoves, 
furnaces and tin ware, in firm of Davis, Wright 
& Co., Keene, N. H. 
V. George, b. May 16, 1834 ; d. July 6, 1834. 



Stephen A. Miller is kindly remembered in his native 
town as a loyal citizen and a gentleman of unblemished 
character. He removed about 1855 to Leominster, where 
in company with Oliver G. Caldwell he has been actively 
engaged in the manufacture of tubs and pails. In his 
business and social relations he has not failed in com- 
manding the respect of his associates. He md. Feb. 2, 
1843, Miranda S. Wilder of Winchendon. 

I. Emeretta M., b. Nov. 9, 1846; md. June 15, 
1870, Francis W. Burdett ; resides in Leomin- 
ster. 

II. Genifrecle Josephine, b. Aug, 4, 1850 ; md. Feb. 
26, 1880, C. Stephen Marcy of Fitchburg. 

III. Edward Austin, b. May 30, 1852 ; d. May 27, 

1859. 

IV. Josei^h Lewis, b. Nov. 29, 1857; md. July 21, 

1880, Carrie E. Sanderson of Shirley; resides 
in Leominster. 



Dr. Alfred Miller, son of John and Betsey (Robin- 
son) Miller and a grandson of Robert Miller, was b. in 
Westminster, Vt., March 15, 1815. Middlebury College 
1840; M. D., Woodstock, Vt., 1844; resident physician 
in Ashburnham 1845-62. Vide page 470. He md. Dec. 
28, 1847, Elsie L. Kibling. dan. of Francis Kibling, q. v. ; 
d. in Fitchburg Nov. 15, 1877. 



12 


I 


13 


II 


14 


III 


15 


IV. 


16 


V. 


17 


VI. 



(2) 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 831 

Alfred 31., b. Oct. 13, 1849 ; d. Oct. 20, 1849. 

Ernest Parker, h. Jan. 4, 1851. He is a physician /-A 

in Fitchburg. Vide page 508. He md. Oct., 

1878, Myra B. Riciiardson. 
Alice, b. April 20, 1855 ; graduate of Fitchburg 

High School 1873 ; Vassar College 1876. 
Emma Louise, b. Nov. 26, 1857 ; md. Oct., 1878, 

George H. Crocker. 
Margaret Fiske, h. March 8, 1868. 
Alfred Kibling, b. March 31, 1870. 



Thomas Monohan md. in Fitchburg Dec. 8, 1848, 
Bridget Rowley, and removed to this town a few years 
subsequently. They are natives of Ireland and reside in 
the northwest part of the town. 

I. John, b. July 13, 1849 ; d. 3'oung. 

II. Lizzie, b. Dec. 19, 1852 ; md. B. F. Brewin. 
m. Thomas P., h. Sept. 22, 1854. 
IV. Mari/, b. Aug. 5, 1856. 

V. Margaret, b. May 20, 1858; d. May 21, 1863. 
VI. James A., b. May 3, 1861 ; d. July 15, 1882. 
VII. Ellen, b. March 8, 1863 ; d. May 20, 1885. 



Pitt Moore was b. in Sterling Dec. 5, 1787. He was 
a son of Jonathan Moore and a brother of Rev. Martin 
Moore, many years editor of the Boston Recorder. He 
md. Abigail Sawyer and resided in Boylston until 1828, 
when he removed to this town. He lived many years 
near Little Wataticou a farm known as the Hinds place. 
In his age he found a home with his son-in-law Luke Mar- 
ble. His wife d. about 1821, and he md. (2d) Esther 
Hastings. He d. March 5, 1877; his widow d. Feb. 
21, 1879. The children were b. in Boylston. 

I. xUher, b. Nov. 21, 1815. + 
II. Elliot, b. April 25, 1819.+ 

III. Edward, b. Jan. 28, 1823 ; md. Rachel Monahan ; 

he d. May 11, 1859. 

IV. Abigail, b. Sept. 8, 1826 ; md. Luke Marble, q. v. 



AsHER Moore md. April 26, 1841, Elizabeth Leland of 
Hubbardston. He resides, a farmer, in this town. He 
was formerly a school-teacher and has been a member of 
the school committee several years. 

I. Martha, b. May 9, 1842; md. June 20, 1865, 
Joseph B. Brown. He served in the 21st Regt. 



832 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



(3) 



10 
11 
12 
13 



II. 
III. 



IV. 



and was discharged on account of wounds, May 

7, 1863. She d. Sept. 6, 1880. 
Oliver, b. Sept. 28, 1846 ; d. Jan. 7, 1847. 
Alfred, b. Nov. 11, 1847; md. May 10, 1876, 

Ellen T. Da}' of Templeton. They reside in 

Baldwin ville. 
Charles Aslier, b. Aug. 11, 1862. 



Elliot Moore md. Jan. 4, 1841, Dorothy H. Marble, 
dau. of Oliver Marble, Jr., q. v. He was a school-teacher 
and a merchant in this town, and was a selectman, asses- 
sor and a member of the school committee About twelve 
3'ears ago he removed to Townsend. 

1. Harriet, b. Dec. 5, 1841 ; d. young. 
II. Ahhie S., b. Dec. 12, 1849. 

III. Alice L., b. Aug. 23, 1858. 

IV. John Elliot, b. June 17, 1861 ; d. 1864. 

John D. Morton from Boston was a tailor in this town 
about ten years. He md. Dec. 5, 1831, Ruth D. Wallis, 
dau. of David Wallis, q. v. He d. Oct. 21, 1841 ; she 
md. (2d) Philip R. Merriam, q. v. 

I. Andrew Wallis, b. May 26, 1833 ; removed to 

Kansas. 
II. Mary Wallis, b. May 2, 1836 ; md. Aaron Pratt, 
son of William Pratt, q. v. 

III. Alexander Hamilton, b. Feb. 24, 1839 ; d. Dec. 

20, 1854. 

IV. Isahelle D., b. Sept. 6, 1841; md. Jan. 1, 1867, 

George J. Savage, b. in Greenfield, N. H., Feb. 
22, 1841, son of William and Asenath (Patch) 
Savage. They reside in this town. Four of 
their five children are living. 



Orin Morton, b. in Orange May 16, 1817, md. 
Dec. 26, 1839, Mary Ann Metcalf, dau. of Ezekiel Met- 
calf, q. V. ; she d. Nov. 2, 1875. He resides in this town. 

I. Mory S., b. July 28, 1841 ; md. Andrew J. Howe ; 
resides in this town. 

II. Francis Henry, b. May 14, 1844 ; md. Sabra Par- 
tridge ; resides in Providence, R. I. He served 
in 21st Regiment. 

III. Clara Amanda, b. April 27, 1848; md. 1869, 
Geoi'ge Allen of Providence, R. I. ; d. July 
18, 1876. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



838 



10 
11 



IV. Orin Edward^ b. June 23, 1851 ; d. unmd. Jan. 

26, 1873. 
V. Dorothy Lavinia, b. June 23, 1860 ; resides in 

Providence, K. I. 



MOSSMAN. 

The name of Mossman is of frequent mention in the early annals of Dor- 
chester Canada. Timothy Mossman was b. in Wrentham Nov. 17, 1679. 
He md. July 27, 1701, Sarah Hicks, dau. of Samuel Hicks of Dorchester. 
On account of the service of the family of his wife in the expedition to Can- 
ada in 1G90, he was admitted a grantee of the township of Dorchester Can- 
ada July 5, 1736. By this favor he became one of the sixty original propri- 
etors of the township. He resided in Sudbury where his wifed., and hemd. 
(2d) Nov. 27, 1767, Tabiiha Balcom. He d. Feb. 22, 1773. Among the sons 
of Timothy and Sarah (Hicks) Mossman was Timothy Mossman, b. in Sud- 
bury 1710. In pages 56 and 79 the assertion is made that Timothy Mossman, 
Sen., was a resident of Dorchester Canada. All that is said of Timothy 
Mossman in the record of settlements is fully verified, only it was Timothy 
Mossman, Jr., and not the father, who came to this town. He was here in 
the first efl^ort to establish a settlement, and owned the land extending on the 
west side of Cashing street from Main street to the common. A part or all 
of this tract with other lands was secured by Timothy Mossman, the father, 
at the first division of land among the proprietors. On this land the son built 
a house of entertainment. Fjt^e page 71. In 1744, when it became evident 
that the settlement must be abandoned and at a time when several families 
had removed to places of greater security, Timothy Mossman remained and 
was directed to take care of the meeting-house and to board up the windows 
and doors. In August of this year he sold the house of entertainment and his 
land to Asher Cutler and was one of the last to desert the settlement. He 
never returned, but the descendants of Timothy Mossman, Sen., have been 
included among the later and the present inhabitants of this town. Timothy 
Mossman, Jr., when driven from this town by the Indian alarm, returned to 
Sudbury; but a few years after, about 1760, he is found in Trinceton, and 
was living upon the Potash farm in that town. Afterward he lived in West- 
minster many years, and there his restless spirit found rest Sept. 5, 1801, 
aged nearly 92 years. He md. Feb. 26, 1733-4, Martha Whitney, b. in 
Weston April 4, 1716, dau. of William and Martha (Peirce) Whitney. 



1 



Matthias Mossman, b. in Sudbury March 17, 1749, 
was a son of James and Elizabeth (Balcom) Mossman 
and a grandson of Timothy, Sen., and Sarah (Hicks) 
Mossman. He md. Sarah Haines and removed from 
Sudbury to Ashburnham in 1793. In 1795 and a few 
succeeding years he was chosen an assessor, and the 
repeated mention of his name in the records supports the 
voice of tradition that he was an educated, capable man 
and that his services were held in high esteem. He was a 
farmer and a surveyor and many maps, plans and outlines of 
highways neatly executed by him are in the possession of 
John M. Pratt. About 1800 he removed to Westminster, 
but subsequently returned to this town where he d. Nov. 
8, 1819 ; his wife d. in Westminster Sept. 29, 1808. Of 
their eleven cliildren the eldest was b. in Marlboro', eight 
in Sudbury and two in Ashburnham. 

53 



834 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



9 
10 

11 



12 

13 
14 
15 
16 

17 

(8) 



18 



III. 



IV. 



Micah, b. July 8, 1774 ; d. Sept. 17, 1775. 

Mark, b. Sept. 3, 1775; md. Oct. 18, 1798, Lois 

of Fitchburg, and removed to Vermont. 

Hed. June 11, 1841. 

Betsey, b. June 6, 1777 ; md. Hayman Wheeler of 
Westminster; d. May 11, 1809. 

Beulah, b. Oct. 13, 1779; d. July 21, 1824. 
Vide page 546. 
V. Rebecca, b. April 20, 1782; md. John Wilson of 
Westminster ; md. (2d) Gilbert of Brook- 
field ; d. March o, 18G4. 
VI. John, b. Oct. 26, 1784; md. May 8, 1810, Copia 
Ward, dau. of John Ward, q. v. He was taxed 
here a few years and the birth of third child is 
recorded in this town, but he resided a longer 
time in Westminster, where he d. June 11, 1841. 

1. Leonard, b. Sept. 15, 1810. -f 

2. Aaron, b. Nov. 21, 1811 ; md. Martha Ball. 

3. John Ward, b. Sept. 26, 1813 ; md. Mary 

E. Libbey. 

4. Lucinda, b. March 8, 1816 ; md. Nov. 15, 

1838, Joseph Woodward. She d. May 
10, 1842. 

5. Dorothy, b. Sept. 29, 1822 ; md. Jonathan 

Hapgood. 

vn. Deidama, b. April 19, 1787 ; md. Silas Ward, 9. v. 
vm. Tyler, b. April 8, 1790; d. April 22, 1790. 

IX. Sally, b. April 13, 1791 ; d. July 18, 1807. 

X. Lucinda, b. Sept. 13, 1794 ; md. John Boynton of 
Fitchburg; d. March 27, 1876. 

XI. Leonard, b. March 12, 1797 ; d. July 26, 1808. 



Leonard Mossman, son of John, md. 1840, Clarinda 
Richardson, who d. June 7, 1861 ; md. (2d) Nov. 13, 
1862, Lucy Smith, dau. of Joshua Smith, Jr., q. v. She 
d. Dec. 6, 1873. He md. (3d) Mrs. Gates of West- 
minster. He resided many 3'ears in this town and d. in 
Westminster Sept. 28, 1878. 

I. Hollis, b. Oct., 1852 ; md. Oct. 5, 1882, Jennie L. 
Clark, dau. of Luther Clark, q. v. 



MUNROE. 

William Munkoe, b. in Scotland 1625, arrived in New England in March, 
1652, and in 1657 he is found in Cambridge. He settled in the part of Cam- 
bridge that is now within the limits of Lexington and near the line of Wobnm. 
He was admitted freeman 1690, and in 1693 he was one of a committee "to 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



835 



treat for the purchase of land for the minister." In lG94he was a selectman, 
and subsequently he was frequently named in the records in connection with 
municipal affairs. He md. Martha George, dau. of John and Elizabeth George 
of Charlestown; she d., leaving four children, about 1071; he md. (2d) Mary 
Ball, dau. of John Ball of Watertown by whom he had ten children. She d. 
in Aug., 1(!92, aged 41; he md. (3d) Elizabeth (Johnson) Wyer, widow of 
Edward Wyer of Charlestown; she d. Dec. 14, 1715; he d. Jan. 27, 1717-18, 
aged 92. From his will it appears that fourteen of his children were living 
in 1716. Susanna the youngest is not named and probably she d. at an early 
age. 

John Munroe, b. March 10, 16G6, son of William and Martha (George) 
Munroe, resided on the homestead in Lexington. He was a constable, 
assessor, treasurer and selectman, serving in these capacities many years. 
He was a subscriber for the meeting-house in 1G92, and was taxed for the 
purchase of the ministerial land in 1693. He was employed many years to 
ring the bell and to sweep the meeting-house. No record of his marriage is 
preserved. The name of the mother of the younger children and possibly 
of all of them was Hannah. Jonas Munroe, the eighth of ten children, was 
bap. Nov. 22, 1707. He md. Jan. 3, 1733-4, Joanna Locke, b. Feb. 2, 1712-13, 
dau. of Joseph and Margaret (Mead) Locke of Lexington. She d. Sept. 17, 
1748 ; he md. (2d) Rebecca Watts of Chelsea. He was styled Lieut. Jonas 
Munroe. Among the children of the first wife was Joanna, the wife of John 
Adams the centenarian, q. v., and of the second wife was Lieut. Ebenezer 
Munroe of this town, and Martha who. d. here unmd. May 11, 1793. 



Lieut. Ebenezer Munroe, son of Lieut. Jonas Munroe, 
was b. in Lexington April 29, 1752. An account of his 
participation in the engagement at Lexington, May 19, 
1775, appears on page 177. He md. April 10, 1781, 
Lucy (Muzzey) Simondsof Woburn. The following year 
he removed to Ashburnham and settled in the south part 
of the town. In 1787 he was a lieutenant of the militia 
and subsequently he was moderator of the annual meeting 
and a selectman several j^ears. His character was above 
reproach, and his influence in social and public affairs 
was constant and salutary. He d. May 25, 1825 ; his 
widow md. (2d) John Adams, q. v. 

I. Charles, b. Sept. 12, 1781.-f- 

II. Lucy, b. March 21, 1783; md. Nov. 4, 1802, 
Daniel Kinsman, b. in Ipswich March 30, 1778, 
son of Jeremiah and Martha(Andrews) Kinsman. 
She d. April 3, 1833; he d. in Fitchburg 
Sept. 15, 1867. 

1. Louisa, b. May 20, 1803 ; md. Flint Sheldon 

of Fitchburg ; she resides in this town. 

2. Lucy, b. Sept. 4, 1804 ; md. Francis 

Hinds, g. v. ; md. (2d) Jonathan P. 
Wilder, q. v. 

3. Charles M., b. Sept. 3, 1807 ; md. Hannah 

R. Smith. 

4. Cyrus, b. May 2, 1810. 



836 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



8 

9 
10 
11 

12 

13 
14 
15 
16 

17 

(2) 



5. Martha A., b. Oct. 20, 1814 ; md. William 

Perkins ; md. (2d) E. J. B. Baker, q. v. 

6. Miranda, b. Sept. 10, 1815 ; md. Charles 

R. Foster ; reside in Bloomfield, Wis. 

7. Munroe, b. Jan. 13, 1826 ; md. Lucy A. 

Brown ; reside in Smithville, N. Y. 

8. Alfred D., b. Dec. 5, 1820; md. April 3, 

1849, Maria C. Houghton; md. (2d) 
April 27, 1861, Susan Br^-ant. He has 
resided in this town several 3'ears. 

1. Frank M., b. Feb. 17, 1854; 
resides in Courtland, N. Y. 

ni. Ebenezer, b. Feb. 25, 1785. -f- 
IV. Jonas, b. May 27, 1790.-[- 
V. John, b. Oct. 4, 1793. -|- 
VI. Rebecca, b. June 7, 1798; md. John Gibson, son 

of Thomas Gibson, q. v. 
VII. Herrick, b. Nov. 1, 1802; d. unmd. Dec. 14, 
1844. 



18 



19 

20 
21 



22 
23 
24 



Charles Munroe md. June 9, 1808, Lydia Conn, dau. 
of John Conn, g. v. He was a member of the Asliburn- 
ham Light Infantry and in the service in the War of 1812. 
Mr. Munroe resided at the South Village and was one of 
the pioneer manufacturers of chairs in this town. With 
this industry intimately associated with the growth and 
prosperit}" of Ashburnham he was an influential factor. 
As a citizen he commanded the respect of his associates. 
He d. Oct. 26, 1834 ; his widow d. March 9, 1837. 

I Lydia, b. Aug. 30, 1809; md. June 21, 1832. 
Sylvester Winship of Westminster ; she d. 
March 21, 1835 ; he md. (2d) her sister Lucy. 

1. John S., b. July 22, 1833; d. July 22, 
1850. 

II. John, b. Dec. 24, 1812.-J- 

III. Mary Farwell, b. May 3, 1814 ; md. Sept. 15, 
1833, John Winship ; resided in Ashburnham, 
where he d. Nov. 11, 1879. She d. Dec. 4, 1885. 

1. Mary Jane, b. Dec. 21, 1834 ; md. Reuben 

Bennett. 

2. Sarah L., b. May 16, 1837; md. Frank 

Griffin. 

3. Ellen Susan, b. Oct. 19, 1846 ; md. 1869, 

Fred H. Potter ; md. (2d) Hazeleus 
Souck. 



25 
26 

27 

28 

29 
30 

31 

32 
33 

34 

35 
36 

(13) 



37 

38 
39 
40 
41 
42 
43 
44 

45 
46 
47 

48 

(14) 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 337 

IV. Charles, b. Nov. 19, 1817; removed to State of 
New York where he d. 1882, leaving a family. 
V. Lucy, b. March 5, 1820, md. July 1, 1840, Sylves- 
ter Winship ; he d. in this town July 11, 1883 ; 
she resides at Central Village. 

1. Charles M., b. Nov. 15, 1840 ; d. May 30, 

1843. 
2. Lydia, b. Feb. 27, 1843; md. Capt. 
Asahel Wheeler, g. v. 

3. Harriet E., b. Oct. 26, 1850. 

4. Susan M., b. June 10, 1852. 

VI. Ivers, b. May 30, 1823. + 
VII. Loring, b. June 12, 1826. -f- 

VIII. Harriet Arvilla, b. July 20, 1829 ; md. Sept. 19, 
1853, Timothy Addison Tenney ; he d. April 

17, 1868. 

1. Lucia J., b. June 23, 1854; md. Joseph 

Brown. 

2. Hattie E., b. April 3, 1860. 

3. Charles H., b. Jan. 23, 1864. 



Ebenezer Munroe md. , Mary Sargent, b. July 

16, 1790, dau. of Samuel and Mary (Vryliug) Sargent of 
Winchendon. He was .a soldier in' the War of 1812, and 
resided in this town until about 1830 when he removed to 
Westminster, where he d. July 31, 1844; his widow d. 
Sept. 7, 1852. 

I. Ebenezer L., b. July 3, 1809. 
II. Samuel A., b. Sept. 13, 1810. 

III. Mary S., b. July 5, 1812 ; d. March 17, 1834. 

IV. Emeline A., b. March 27, 1814. 
V. Charles H., b. May 3, 1816. 

VI. Louisa M., b. Feb. 2, 1818 ; d. Sept. 26, 1838. 
VII. Josex)h IF., b. April 17, 1820 ; d. in California, 
vm. George A.,h.UQ.y 2^, 1823; a physician in St. 
Louis, Mo., and later in Indian Territory. 
IX. Lorenzo, b. Jan. 29, 1825. 
X. John M., b. March 10, 1828. 
XI. Francis A.,\). July 1. 1833. 
XII. Learider, b. Dec. 1, 1834 ; d. July 25, 1858. 



Jonas Munroe resided in this town until 1824 when he 
removed to Rindge. He was an officer of the Light Infan- 
try five years and commanded the company two years 
after he removed from town. He was a farmer. He md. 



838 



HISTORY OF ASIIBURNHAM. 



49 



50 
51 



52 

53 
54 

(15) 

55 
56 
57 

58 

(20) 



59 

60 
61 
62 
63 



64 
65 



May 9, 1815, Eliza Sargent, b. May 10, 1792, dau. of 
Samuel and Mary ( Vryling) Sargent of Wincliendon. He 
d. in Rindge May 9, 1849 ;. she d. Feb. a, 1849. 

I. Jonas Austin, b. Feb. 4, 1816; md. 1837, Eliza- 
beth Tibbetts ; resided in Chittenango, N. Y., 
where he d. Sept. 26, 1839. 
11. Eliza Darling, b. April 16, 1818. 

HI. James M^atson, b. Sept. 30, 1824 ; md. April 4, 
1848, Laurana Crane, dau. of Larra and Sally 
B. Crane of Boston. 

IV. Merrick Adams, b. Feb. 27, 1828 ; md. Nov. 2, 
1869, Henrietta Mason ; resides in Middlebury, 
Vt. 

V. Charles Mavery, b. Jan. 7, 1831 ; md. Aug. 15, 

1865, Emily A. Higgins. 

VI. George Milton, b. Nov. 4, 1832.-}- 



JoHN MuNROE md. Ma3'6, 1819, Sophia Gibson, dau. 
of Thomas Gibson, q. v. He resided in Ashburuham, 
Westminster and Cleveland, N. Y. 

I. Orison J., b. Oct. 28, 1819 ; md. April 24, 1843, 

Ann E. Newton. 
II. Sophia H., b. March 27, 1821 ; md. Feb. 26, 1845, 
Winchester Wyman. 

III. Porter, b. May 23, 1826; md. July 1, 1845, 

Harriet Maynard ; he d. at Brattleboro', Vt., 
Oct. 30, 1880. 

IV. Sophroyiia L., b. June 4, 1831. 



John Munkoe md. 1832, Nancy W. Gushing, dau. of 
Laban Gushing, q. v. She d. Nov. 9, 1845 ; he md. (2d) 

Dec. 7, 1846, Martha A. Howland ; she d. ; he md. 

(3d) July 21, 1864, Lucy M. Wilson of Nelson, N. H. 
He d. May 7, 1874. His widow resides at South Village. 

1. Susan 31. , b. Aug. 18, 1838 ; md. Rufus Wheeler 

of Ashby. Two children. 
II. James A., b. Aug. 17, 1840; d. Aug. 15, 1849. 

III. Sarah I., b. Feb. 17, 1844. 

IV. Charles L., b. Sept. 15, 1848; d. Aug. 15, 1849. 
V. Mary Jane, b. May 7, 1851 ; md. April 8, 1871, 

George W. Carr of Westminster ; reside in 
Chelsea. 

VI. Nellie, b. ; md. Avery ; reside in Maiden. 

VII. Lucy Rebecca, b. March 9, 1865. 




H 




t^ 




'^^^«^^>^^^<^ 



<31) 



<32) 



<54) 



(;kxi-:al()G[cai> iucgistku. 839 

IvERS MuNROE resided iu this town until 1846, when he 
removed to Camden, N. Y., and as a student entered the 
law office of Stephen Cromwell. In Mr. Cromwell he 
found an able instructor and a generous friend. He was 
admitted to the bar in 1848 and immediately a partner- 
ship was formed, and the increasing business of the office 
was conducted by Cromwell and Munroe during the ensu- 
ing twent}' years. These were j'cars of labor and crowned 
with a generous measure of success. During the Civil 
War, j\Ir. Munroe was commissioner of drafts and enrol- 
ment of the Twentieth District of New York. From 
1848 to 1862 he was actively engaged in the practice of 
his profession in Iowa, first at Sidney in Tremont county 
and later at Clinton, the shire of Clinton county. In this 
field he was promptly recognized as a faithful attorney 
and a gentleman of character and integrity. He was an 
alderman in Clinton several years, and occupied a promi- 
nent position in professional, business and public affairs. 
Since 1882 Mr. Munroe has resided in impaired health 
in Oneida, N. Y. He md. 1845, Lucia S. Gould, dau. of 
Thomas Gould of Rockingham, Vt. ; she d. 1855 ; he md. 
(2d) Nancy J. Thomas, dau. of Chancy Thomas of Lee, 
N. Y. ; she d. Oct. 6, 1885. Of seven children only two 
are living. 



LoRiXG Monroe, at the age of twenty 3'ears, removed 
to Cleveland, N. Y., and there became interested in the 
manufacture of glass, in which he has been successful. 
For several 3-ears he owned an interest in the American 
Glass Company at Bernhard's Bay, and in 1861 he pur- 
chased the Dunbarton Glass Works at Verona, N. Y., 
which is now conducted b^^ his sons. The business career 
of Mr. Munroe has been characterized by industry, saga- 
cious management and executive ability. He has resided 
several years in Oneida, in the county of Madison, where 
he is a trustee of the Oneida Savings Bank and an active 
member of the banking house of Barnes, Stark and Mun- 
roe. His interest in the prosperity of the town is attested 
by the Munroe Block, and of the Opera House he is joint 
owner with Mr. Barnes. He has occupied many positions 
of trust and is held in high esteem by his associates. He 
md. Jane Lowarden who was b. in Baltimore, Md., April 
4, 1830. Three sons, George Loring, Charles I. and 
Anthony B., are living. Three daughters are deceased. 



George M. Munroe was residing in Boston when he 
entered the service in the Civil War. Vide page 462. 



840 



HISTOKY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



66 



67 



Since the war he resided in Washington, D. C, and in 
Philadelphia, removing to Ashburnhain in 187-. He md. 
Ann Haliday, b. in Natchez, Miss., May 6, 1840. 

I. Josephine A., b. July 10, 186G ; md. Nov. 8, 1886, 

John E. Wilson, son of John Wilson, q. v. 
II. Albert Burnside, b. July 29, 1869. 

Samuel Nichols, with wife Lydia and one child, re- 
moved from Harvard 1761. The same year he purchased 
the mills at Lane Village of Caleb Dana, to whom Nathan 
Dennis had sold the property. Here Samuel Nichols re- 
sided until 1777 when he removed to Walpole, N. H. 
While he remained in this town he was a prominent 
citizen. 

I. Bethiah, b. June 29, 1760. 
II. Hezekiah, b. Feb. 19, 1762. 

III. Lydia, b. April 13, 1767. 

IV. Mary, b. Sept. 14, 1770. 
V. L^icy, b. June 20, 1772. 



10 
11 

12 



John Nichols, b. in Charlestown July 4, 1821, md. in 
Ashburnham Feb. 24, 1845, Arvilla Rice, dau. of Levi 
Rice, q. v. They lived several years in Cambridge, and 
removed to this town 1865. 

I. Frances E., b. Aug. 22, 1846 ; md. Lemuel 

Ripley. 
II. James C, b. Jan. 22, 1849; md. Melpha R. 
Sawiu, dau. of Asa Sawin, q. v. ; reside in 
Leominster. 

III. Charles H., b. April 21, 1851 ; d. Feb. 24, 1871. 

IV. Sarah A., b. May 31, 1853 ; md. Frank L. Mar- 

ble, son of Warren Marble, q. v. 

V. John D., b. Nov. 17, 1857; md. April 24, 1881, 

Etta C. Skillings, dau. of Seward E. SkiUings ; 
reside in Boston. 



Samuel L. Notes, son of Henry J. and Jane L. 
(Gates) Noyes, and grandson of Silas and Abiah Noyes 
of Newburyport, was b. in Gardner June 6, 1837. He 
md. Nov. 13, 1867, Julia W. Lombard, b. in Westminster 
Aug. 7, 1844, dau. of Franklin and P^unice (Whitney) 
Lombard. Mr. Noyes removed to this town from West- 
minster in 1883, and is engaged in the manufacture of 
toys on Water street. He is of the board of selectmen.. 

I. Ernest L., b. April 20, 1873. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



841 



Jonas Nutting, b. in Westford 1783, son of Thomas 
and Sybel Nutting, md. Sept. 7, 1805, Mary Spaulding, 
dau. of James Spaulding, q. v. He removed to this town 
about 1809 and was a farmer on a discontinued road 
leading north from the " Children of the Woods." He 
d. April 23, 1842 ; his widow went to New Ipswich and 
d. there May 1, 1857. 

I. Jonas, b. 1806 ; resided in New Ipswich. He was 

an officer in the 6th New Hampshire Volunteers. 

He md. 1828, Lucy Sylvester, who d. April 20, 

1862. He d. June 20, 1873. Eight children. 
11. Sally, b. Sept. 20, 1808; md. 1834, Ezekiel 

Nutting; lived in New Ipswich. Four children. 
Phineas, b. 1810 ; d. unmd. 1830. 
Hiram, b. 1813; md. 1833, Asenath Tenney ; d. 

in California. Three children. 
Mary, b. 1815; d. Aug. 20, 1816. 
John, h. 1819; md. Cynthia Davis; lived in New 

Ipswich and in Richmond, N. H., where he d. 

March 6, 1876. Six children. 



4 


III, 


5 


IV. 


6 


v. 


7 


VI. 



Oberlock or Overlack, vide Locke. 



PACKARD. 

The Packard families of this town are descendants of Robert Packard of 
Westmoreland, N. H. , who was b. about 1760. The emigrant ancestor was 
Samuel Packard who came from Windham near Hingliam, England, in the 
Diligent 1638, and settled in Hingham. Subsequently he removed to West 
Bridgewater, where he d. 1684. Among his twelve children was Zaccheus 
Packard who md. Sarah Howard, dau. of John Howard, and d. 1723. The 
eldest of his nine children was Israel Packard, b. April 27, 1680; md. 1703 

Hannah . Of their nine children was Robert Packard b. 1722, and there 

remains little doubt that he was the father of Robert Packard of Westmore- 
land, N. H., who md. Feb. 11, 1782, Elizabeth Hudson. Nathan Packard, 
one of the seven children of Robert and Elizabeth (Hudson)* Packard, was b. 
June 8, 1792. He md. 1815, Celia D. Houghton, dau. of Taylor Houghton 
of Woodstock, Vt. He resided in Stockbridge and Rutland, Vt. ; he d. in 
Michigan Sept. 1, 1836. Another son of Robert and Elizabeth (Hudson) 
Packard was Robert, Jr., b. 1708; md. May 11, 1818, Diadema Chamberlain 
of Stockbridge, Vt. 



1 



Israel Alfred Packard, b. in Stockbridge, Vt., Sept. 
7, 1818, son of Nathan and Celia D (Houghton) Packard, 
has resided in Ashburnham since 1839. He was a tanner 
and morocco dresser, but during the past thirty-five 
years he has been a farmer. He owns and occupies the 
farm formerly of P^zekiel Metcalf and a part of the 
Foster farm. He md. Jan. 23, 1840, Frances Caldwell, 
dau. of John Caldwell, q. v. She d. Jan. 1, 1843 ; he md. 
(2d) Aug. 3, 1843, Hepsibath C. Lane, dau. of Capt. 
Francis Lane, q. v. 



842 



HISTORY OF ASHBUKNHAM. 



I. Alfred Philander, b. May 25, 1842 ; d. July 24, 
1842. 

11. Charles Francis, h. Aug. 12, 1844; md. May 9, 
1872, Ai'della L. Stearns, dau. of Samuel and 
Lois B. (Laugley) Stearns of Lawrence. He is 
a millwright, and of the firm of Packard Bros, 
who own the mills at Lane Village. 

III'. Sarah Frances, b. April 6, 1846 ; md. Oct. 18, 
1870, Andrus Buruhara, son of John P. and 
Emily (Hall) Burnham of Woodstock, Vt. ; 
reside in AV^estminster. 

IV. Susan Rebecca, b. Aug. 6, 1848 ; md. Oct. 20, 

1868, Augustus A. Scales, son of Aaron and 
Betsey (Seaver) Scales of Townsend ; reside in 
Minneapolis, Minn. 

V. Henry Alfred, b. Dec. 6, 1852 ; md. Nov. 3, 1884, 

Nancy J. Scales, dau. of Aaron and Betsey 
(Seaver) Scales. He is of the firm of Packard 
Brothers. 

VI. 3Iina Augusta, b. Aug. 13, 1856 ; d. Dec. 17, 

1866. 



9 
10 

11 



12 
13 

14 
15 



Horace C. Packard, b. Aug. 21, 1831, son of Robert, 
Jr., and Diadema (Chamberlain) Packard, md. Sept. 15, 
1853, Philena Howard, b. Jan. 20, 1834, dau. of Josiah 
Howard of Hinsdale, N. H. He enlisted from Greenfield 
in Co. C, 27th Regiment, and d. in the service at New- 
bern, N. C, July 6, 1863. His widow md. (2d) Charles 
W. Lane, q. v. 

I. Effie L., b. June 20, 1854; md. Charles A. 

Billings, q. v. 
II. Fremont E., b. Sept. 7, 1855 ; md. Oct. 24, 1878, 
Abbie E. Mather, dau. of James P. andLucinda 
(Hadlej-) Mather ; resides at Lane Village. 



Joseph Packard, who resided in this town from 1856 to 
1876, was a sou of Joseph Packard of Jamaica, Vt., and 
a grandson of Robert and Elizabeth (Hudson) Packard 
of Westmoreland. He md. Asenath Howe ; removed to 
Winchester, N. H., where he now resides. 



III. 

IV. 



Mary, b. — 
Melinda 0. 

wick. 
Andreiv J., 
Albert D., 



— ; md. Hosea Esty of Winchendon. 
b. ; md. Dudley of War- 



b. 



resides in Warwick. 

md. Esther Bourne ; resides 



on the Oren Willard farm. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



843 



Thomas Park, then of Ashburnham, md. 1779, Abigail 
Wilder of Lancaster. He was the first in this town to 
engage in the business of fulling and dressing cloth, and 
associated with him, or succeeding him for a short time, 
was Elisha Park. The name disappears from the records 
about 1800. The fulling mill was taxed to Elisha Park, 
1799, and subsequently to Fitch Crosby. Six children of 
Thomas and Abigail Park were born in this town. 

I. Debhe, b. Nov. 11, 1779. 
II. Elizabeth, b. June 16, 1782. 

III. Thomas, b. Feb. 2G, 1785 

IV. Daniel, b. Nov. 5, 1787. 
V. Caleb, b. Nov. 8, 1790. 

VI. Susa, b. Feb. 9, 1793. 



PARKER. 

Nathan Parker, a representative of the Andover family of Parker, was 
b. in Andover about 1710. He was probably a son of John and a grandson 
of Nathan, an early settler of Andover. He md. June 26, 1735, 
Hannah Stevens of Andover, and among their children was John 
Parker, b. May 19, 1742. He md. Feb. 7, 1771, Abigail 0.*good, 
h. in Andover, dau. of .Josiah and Hannah (Kittredge) Osgood and 
a sister of Col. Benjamin Osgood of Westford. Soon after marriage he 
removed to Westford, where he d. Dec. 15, 1814; his widow d. June 21, 1820. 
He was a soldier in the Revolution and was subsequently styled Lieut. John 
Parker. His daughter Betsey was the wife of Jonathan Bancroft, q. v., and 
his son, Jacob Osgood Parker, b. in Westford Aug. 19, 1786, md. June 8, 
1811, Rachel Reed, b. Aug. 19, 1790, dau. of Amos and Rachel (Prescott) 
Reed of Westford. He was a merchant in Westford, where he d. March, 
1822. 



Jesse Parker, son of Jacob Osgood and Rachel (Reed) 
Parker, was b. in Westford June 16, 1816. His father 
d. when he was between five and six years of age and he 
came to this town in 1831. He md. Dec. 6, 1838, Eliza- 
beth Gates, dau. of William Gates, q. v. She d. April 8, 
1885. He is a chair maker, and has served the town as 
assessor and selectman. 



Ellen, b. Aug. 22, 1839 ; d. July 15, 1840. 

Walter Osgood, b. May 1, 1841. Capt. Walter O. 
Parker served three years in the Civil War in 
the 34th Regiment and has been an oflScer of Co. 
E or Rice Guards eight years. Vide page 439. 
He is a merchant in Central Village, in firm of 
Parker Bros. In 1883 he was a representative 
and has honorably filled otlier positions of trust. 
He md. Aug. 23, 1866, Josie M. Whitney, dau. 
of Hon. Ohio Whitney, q. v. 



844 



HlSTOllY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



9 
10 
11 
12 
13 

14 



15 
16 



in. Alden Wright, b. May 29, 1843 ; md , 1873, 

Isabel L. L3'nne of Covington, Ky. They 
reside in Akron, Ohio. 

IV. Frank Hannibal, h. Feb. 6, 1854; md. Florence 
O. Merriam, dau. of Philip R. Merriraan, Jr., 
q. V. He is a merchant in firm of Parker Bros. 

Nathaniel Parker came to Ashburnham about 1772. 
His wife Lydia d. May 8, 1776, " aged 30 to 40 years." 
He md. (2d) Nov. 19, 1776, Hannah Wetherbee. His 
name is on the roll of Capt. Gates' company 1775. He 
was occasionally elected to office, and incidentally men- 
tioned in the records until 1783. His name is not found 
in a tax list of 1787. 



I. 

II. 

III. 

IV. 

v. 

VI. 
VII. 



Lydia, b. — 

Caleb, b. — 

Betty, b. — 

Lvcy, b. May 27, 1773. 

Emerson, b. June 11, 1779. 

Joel, b. April 22, 1781. 

Hannah, b. Feb. 17, 1783. 



md 1795, Joshua Holden, q. v. 
First three bap. 1776. 



Geo. G. Parker, Esq., b. May 10, 1800, was an able 
lawyer in this town from 1831 until his death, Dec. 14, 
1852. Vide page 475. He md. Dec. 26, 1836, Hannah 
(Hawkins) Woods, widow of Rev. Joseph W. Woods ; 
she d. in Andover, 1881. 

I. George H., b. Oct. 11, 1838; md. Oct. 8, 1868, 
Elizabeth Sawyer Mahon, who d. June 14, 1885. 
II. Harriette T., b. April 14, 1844; md. June 13, 
1865, Rev. Asher H. Wilcox of Norwich, 
Conn. ; now residing in Norwich Town, near 
New London, Conn. 



PEIRCE. 

The orthography of Pierce and Peirce is a perplexing problem. In the 
preceding pages the records have been followed and the name occurs in both 
forms. The two families appearing in the following register were not re- 
lated. It is probable that both of them, following the general usage of their 
ancestors, wrote their names Peirce. 

Thomas Peirce and wife Elizabeth were in Charlestown 1635. He was 
b. 1583 and d. in Charlestown Oct. 7, 1GG6. His will was dated Nov. 6, 1665, 
and probated in March, 1667. His wife survived him. His son, Thomas 
Peirce, b. about 1620, settled in Woburn as early as 1643; he md. Elizabeth 
Cole, dau. of Rice Cole of Charlestown. He was a selectman and prominent 
in the affairs of "Woburn, and was styled " Sargent Thomas Peirce." He d. 
Nov. 6, 1683; his widow d. March 5, 1687-8. Among their children was 
Benjamin Peirce, not named by Dr. Savage nor included in list of children 



GENEALOGICA L REGISTER. 



845 



in Sewall's Woburn. He md. Mary Read, dau. of Ralph and Mary (Peirce) 
Read and a granddau. of Anthony Peirce of Watertown. Among their chil- 
dren was Thomas Peirce. He md. Nov. 5, 1722, Hannah Locke, b. July 11, 
1701, dau. of James and Sarah (Cutter) Locke of Wobiirn. He resided in 
Leicester and later in Hopkinton, where his wife d. ; he md. (2d) Jan. 2i, 
1743, Lydia Gibbs, and resided in Framingham where he d. 1768. Benjamin 
Peirce, son of Thomas and Hannah (Locke) Peirce, b. about 1728, md. May 
7, 1752, Mary Lamson, b. May 11, 1731, dau. of John Lamson of Weston. 
He removed to Weston where his ten children were born. Of these, three 
have resided in Ashburnham. 



9 
10 



11 



Amos Peirce, son of Benjamin and Mary (Lamson) 
Peirce, was b. in Weston Aug. 5, 1760. He served six 
weeks in Rhode Island in the war of the Revolution, and 
about 1785 he settled in this town in the eighth school dis- 
trict. The farm is known as the Amos Peirce place. He 
md. March 3, 1789, Hepsibah Smith, b. Oct. 13, 1761, 
dau. of James and Lucy (Stearns) Smith. He was a 
selectman and was frequentl}^ chosen to other positions in 
town affairs. He d. Nov. 27, 1834; she d. Jan. 13, 
1856. 

I. Hepsibah, b. June 8, 1791 ; d. unmd. 
11. Amos, b. Aug. 1, 1794; d. unmd. July 18, 1849. 
He was a farmer and a substantial citizen. 
Vide list of town officers. 

III. Lucy, b. April 8, 1798; d. Oct. 24, 1814. 

IV. James, b. Aug. 20, 1801 ; resided in Berlin; md. 

April 7, 1835, Martha W. Warren. He d. Dec. 
30, 1872. 



Asa Peirce, brother of Amos, b. in Weston Sept. 21, 
1766, md. Oct. 24, 1800, Susannah Willard, dau. of Dea. 
John Willai'd, q. v. In the autumn of 1806 they removed, 
with three children, to Mt. Holly, Vt., where he d. soon 
after 1836 ; she d. May 28, 1808. 

I. Martin, b. Nov. 20, 1801. 
II. Mason (twin), b. Nov. 20, 1801. 

III. Oshorn, b. Dec. 18, 1803. 

IV. Elijah Willard, b. Sept. 28, 1806; md. 1831, 

Betsey Warner of Mt. Holly. 



Caleb Peirce, a brother of Amos and Asa Peirce, b. 
in Weston Feb. 27, 1763, was taxed in this town 1787. 
No tax lists for a few preceding and subsequent years are 
preserved. When he removed from town is uncertain. 
He md. 1787, Nabby Felton. 



846 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



PEIRCE. 

John Peirce, a weaver from the county of Norfolk, England, settled in 
Watertown in 1637. He was admitted freeman 1638 and d. Aug. 19, 1661 ; 
his wife Elizabeth survived him. His son, Anthony Peirce, b. in England 
1609, was in Watertown before the arrival of his father, .John Peirce. He 
was admitted freeman Sept. 3, 1634; he ^vas twice married and d. May 9, 
1678. Daniel Peirce, the fifth child of Anthony Peirce, b. Jan. 1, 1039-40, 

md. Elizabeth and settled in Groton, where five of his nine children 

were born. In 1681 he returned to Watertown where he d. 1723. Ephrainj 
Peirce, son of Daniel, b. Oct. 15, 1673, md. Mary Whitney, b. July 1, 1675, 
dau. of Joshua Whitney of Groton and Watertown. He was one of the early 
settlers of Lunenburg where he was a selectman 1728. He d. Eeb. 27, 1740; 
his widow d. Dec. 29, 1749. Their third child and eldest son was Ephraim 
Peirce, b. Nov. 12, 1700; md. Oct. 30, 1721, Esther Shedd, b. March 21, 
1704, dau. of Samuel Shedd; she d. June 28, 1768; he md. (2d) Huldah 
(Martyn) Wetherbee, dau. of Thomas Martyn and widow of Hezekiah Weth- 
erbee. He was a deacon and a prominent citizen of Lunenburg where he d. 
1781. Oliver Peirce, son of Ephraim and Esther (Shedd) Peirce, b. July 
17, 1741, md. May 19, 1768, Mary Smith, b. 1751. He was a farmer in Lun- 
enburg where he d. March 6, 1815; his widow d. 1827. Of their seven chil- 
dren, the fifth child and fourth son was Nathaniel Peirce, b. Oct. 8, 1778, for 
many years a physician in Ashburnham. John Peirce, a brother of Dr. 
Nathaniel, was b. Sept. 18, 1787; md. Nov. 28, 1816, Esther Smith, who d. 
March 10, 1830; md. (2d) July 13, 1831, Sarah T. Smith, who d. May 27, 
1860. He was a farmer in Lunenburg where he d. Nov. 12, 1867. Nathan- 
iel Peirce, a resident of this town, is a son of John and Esther (Smith) 
Peirce. 



Dr. Nathaniel Peirce, b. in Lunenburg Oct. 8, 1778,. 
d. in Ashburnham Sept. 3, 1862. Vide page 468. He 
md. Jan. 11, 1807, Judith Kendall, who was b. June 21, 
1778 ; d. Aug. 27, 1828 ; md. (2d)- April 18, 1832, Zebiab 
G. Smallpeace ; she was b. Dec. 26, 1785; d. June 2, 
1843; md. (3d) Oct. 16, 1844, Visa (Clark) Knight, b. 
April 4, 1791, d. Feb. 13, 1883. 

I. Joseph B., b. June 9, 1809 ; d. March 6, 1818. 

Nathaniel Peirce, son of John and Esther (Smith) 
Peirce, was b. in Lunenburg March 20, 1824. At the 
age of eight years he came to this town and lived with Dr. 
Nathaniel Peirce, his uncle, whose estate was bequeathed 
to him. He md. Sept. 23, 1874, MeUnda C. Willard, dau. 
of John Willard, q. v. 



Joseph Perky, wife Mary and four children removed 
from Medway 1765. His name appears on the roll of 
Capt. Davis company of minute-men, but soon after that 
date no subsequent mention of the name appears on the 
records except the marriage of a dau. 

I. Joseph, b. . 

II. Mary, b. . 



4 

5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 



9 
10 

(2) 



11 

12 
13 

14 

15 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 847 

III. Abigail, b. . 

IV. Anna, b. ; md John Holden, q. v. 

V. Hannah, b. Nov. 15, 17G7. 

VI. Levi, b. Feb. 24, 1770. 
VII. Dolly, b. June 3, 1772. 
VIII. Simeon, b. April 20, 1774. 
IX. ISally, b. Feb. 18, 1776. 



John Petts, lineage not traced, md. in this town Nov. 
22, 1794, Relief Pollard, dau. of William Pollard, g. v. 
He resided a farmer in this town. His wife d. Feb. 17, 
1843. His death is not on record and only a fragmentary 
record of his children has been secured. 

I. John, b. March 19, 1795. -f- 
II. Belief, b. May 8, 1796 ; md James Billings, q. v. 

III. Abel, b. . 

IV. Mary, b. ; md. Joshua Turner ; resided in 

Cambridgeport. 

V. Lucy, b. ; md. James Gibson, He d. in 

Leominster ; she d. in Charlestown. 

VI. Nancy Maria, b. ; md. John A. Conn, q. v. 

VII. Harriet, b. ; md. Horace Black, q. v. 

VIII. Horace, b. . 

IX. Joseph, b. . 



Dr. John Petts for many years was an able and suc- 
cessful physician at Nichols, N. Y. He retired from 
practice and removed to Ashburnham 1844. During the 
waning years of a prolonged and useful life, he had a 
home with his children in Springfield, Ohio, where he d. 
Jan. 1, 1887. He md. in Surry, N. H., Jan. 11, 1825, 
Phebe Howe, dau. of Rev. Perley and Lemiah (Barnes) 
Howe. She d. April 23, 1877. 

I. Sarah B., b. 1827 ; md. Edwin L. Barrett, son of 

Samuel Barrett, q. v. 
II. Eliza H., b. 1829 ; d. 1847. 

III. Charles H., b. 1831 ; md. 1862, Emily Clark, dau. 

of Hon. Oliver Clark. He d. in Boston 1866. 

IV. Maria J., b. June 5, 1837 ; md. Charles E. Sawyer, 

son of Edward Sawyer, q. v. 
V. Quincy A., b. April 25, 1841 ; md. Oct. 21, 1863, 
Lavinia Grant, dau. of William and Nancy M. 
Grant. He removed from Ashburnham to Kan- 
sas in 1857 and to Springfield, Ohio, in 1860. 
In the war of the Rebellion he served in the 
Second Ohio Regiment. He was associate 



848 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



editor of the Springfield Repuhlic 1864-71, 
and editor of the Mechanical JSfews 1871-5. 
He was auditor of Clark count}', Ohio, 1875- 
81, and is now editor of the Meclianical News 
of New York, with a residence in Jersey City. 



PHILLIPS. 

Seth Phillips, son of Blaney and Christian (Wadsworth) Phillips, was 
b. in Pembroke, now Hanson, in Plymouth county, about 1750. He was one 
of the minute-men at the Lexington alarm, and was subsequently a lieutenant 
in the Revolutionary army. About 1780, he md. Betty Hamlin, a sister of 
the father of Hon. Hannibal Hamlin, and removed to Fitchburg. Of their 
children Samuel, Asia, John and Lydia, the wife of Jacob Fairbanks, were 
residents of this town. 



(2) 



Samuel Phillips, son of Seth and Betty (Hamlin) 
Phillips, b. in Fitchburg Sept. 11, 1781. He md. Nov. 3, 
1803, Sally Thurston, b. April 5, 1783, dau. of Dea. John 
and Esther (Wood) Thurston. In 1804 he purchased the 
Wilder farm and removed to this town. This farm had 
been owned by Samuel Wilder, Esq., between thirty and 
forty years. It was here that Rev. John Gushing lived 
in the family of Mr. Wilder, until he began housekeeping 
on the old common. It is a pleasant homestead, com- 
manding an extensive view of the surrounding country. 
The widow retained her dower in the homestead and occu- 
pied a portion of the dwelling and extensive farm. On 
this farm Samuel Phillips resided until 1820, when he sold 
to his brothers Asia and John, and removed to Fitchburg. 
He d. in Worcester 1842 ; his widow d. 1848. Two chil- 
dren were born in this town. 

I. Ivers, b. July 28, 1805.+ 

II. Sally, b. July 29, 1811 ; md. Charles Russell, son 
of Thomas Russell, q. v. 



CoL. IvERS Phillips, the only son of Samuel and Sally 
(Thurston) Phillips, was b. in Ashburnham July 28, 1805. 
After a brief tuition in the public schools of Ashburnham 
and of Fitchburg he was early enlisted in the activities of 
an eventful and successful career. For many years he re- 
sided in Fitchburg and later in Worcester. At the age of 
twenty-eight years he was appointed a deputy sheriff and 
a coroner. The former office he resigned in 1850 and the 
latter in 185G. To the railroad interests of Worcester 
county he was allied for many years, and to his energy 
and prudent counsels these corporations were indebted. 
He was an early advocate of the Vermont and Massachu- 
setts Railroad and an early director of the corporation. 



f 





vlA^ey}^ 




GENEALOGICAL REGISTEH. 



849 



At the organization of the Fitchburg and Worcester Rail- 
road he was chosen a director, and was the second presi- 
dent of the board, succeeding Dr. Charles W. Wilder of 
Leominster, another native of this town. Subsequently he 
was a director and president of the Agricultural Railroad, 




now a part of the Old Colony, and also of the Boston, 
Barre and Gardner Railroad, now operated by the Pltch- 
burg Railroad. In these positions he was continuously 
employed about thirty years. In 1853 he was a member 
54 



850 



HISTORY OF ASHBUKNHAM. 



of tbe Massachusetts Senate, and from 1862 to 1869 he- 
was Collector of Internal Revenue of the Eighth Massa- 
chusetts district. 

In military affairs Col. Phillips was an enthusiast and 
won honors at an early age. In 1827 he was commis- 
sioned a lieutenant. His promotion was rapid. In 1834, 
under a radical revision of the militia law, the officers were 
discharged. At this time he was colonel of the regiment. 
On account of the sickness of Col. Lincoln he first com- 
manded the regiment in 1831, when holding the commis- 
sion of lieutenant-colonel. Under the amended militia 
system of the State, the Volunteer companies in the north- 
ern towns of Worcester county constituted a regiment. 
He was then commissioned colonel of the new organiza- 
tion. Declining promotion he resigned May 26, 1835, 
having been an officer eight years, and not yet thirty years 
of age. 

In the midst of these employments, Col. Phillips has 
been engaged in many business enterprises and has been 
prominent in the direction of several business and mone- 
tary organizations. In positions of trust and in business 
affairs, in an eminent degree, he has secured the confidence 
and respect of his associates. 

In 1873 he removed to Boulder, Colorado, and is now a 
director of several railroads in that Stale. 

Col. Phillips md. in Fitchburg Nov. 13, 1828, Rebecca 
Carter, b. in Leominster Feb. 13, 1803, dau. of Thomas 
Carter. She d. July 2, 1867 ; he md. (2d) Jan. 19, 1869, 
Abbie Rebecca (Richardson) Haines, dau. of Dr. Sewell 
Richardson of Leominster. 

I. Mary Ann, b. Sept. 24, 1829. 
II. Ivers Carter, b. July 9, 1831 ; md. Dec. 31, 1853, 
Harriet Frances Walker of Goffstown, N. H. 
He d. March 5, 1877. 

III. Harriet Bebecca, b. July 6, 1833 ; md. Nov. 29, 
1855, Edwin D. Works, son of Daniel Works 
of Fitchburg ; she d. Feb. 27, 1878. 

IV. Sarah Thurston, b. April 22, 1836 ; md. April 22, 
1857, Gardner P. Wood of Temple, N. H. ; 
she d. Nov. 26, 1872. 

V. Abbie Louisa, b. Nov. 20, 1839; md. May 24, 
1871, Albert B. Lawrence, son of Daniel B. 
Lawrence of Brimfield. He is manager and 
partner of the hardware house of A. B. Law- 
rence & Co., Fitchburg. 



Asia Phillips, a brother of Samuel Phillips, resided in 
this town from 1812 to about 1830. He was a member 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



851 



10 



of the Ashburnham Light Infantry and was in the service 
at Boston Harbor in the War of 1812. He md. 1820, 
Sally S. Dwelly, dan. of Dr. Melzer and Sally (Smith) 
Dwelly and a granddan. of Joshua Smith, Esq., q. v. 
Their children d. in infancy- 



John Phillips, brother of Samuel and Asia Phillips, 
returned to Fitchbnrg after a brief residence in this town. 
Subsequently he removed to Northampton. 



PIPER. 

Jonathan Piper, wife Elizabeth and two children removed from Acton 
to Ashby in April, 1783. Eight children were b. in Ashby. Among these 
was Philip Piper, b. July 12, 1785. He md. 1810, Rhoda Richardson and 
lived in Ashby. He d. April 10, 1858 ; she d. Sept. 14, 1874. 



1 



Jonathan Hubbard Piper, son of Philip and Rhoda 
(Richardson) Piper, was b. in Ashby Feb. 26, 1816. 
He came to the South Village to learn the trade of chair 
maker in 1834, and resided in this town until 1870 when 
he removed to Fitchburg. For several years he was en- 
gaged in the manufacture of chairs in the firm of Flint, 
Piper & Blodgett. He md. June 29, 1836, Caroline Bur- 
gess, dan. of Joshua B. Burgess, q. v. She d., leaving 
three children, May 23, 1847. He md. (2d) March 28, 
1848, S. Elizabeth Jones, b. in Lunenburg Feb. 11, 1828, 
dan. of Major Ephraim and Jemima (Barrett) Jones. 

I. Alfred, b. Jan. 15, 1838. 

II. Fannie E., b. Dec. 27, 1843. 

III. Hobart IF., b. June 17, 1845; he served two en- 
listments in the War of the Rebellion. 
TV. Carrie Lizzie, b. June 9, 1852 ; d. Aug. 30, 1853. 

V. Nettie Lizzie, b. July 15, 1855. 



PLATTS. 

Abel Platts, the first settler of Rindge, and a prominent character in 
the annals of that town, was a son of Moses Platts and a grandson of Lieut. 
Abel Platts of Rowley, who was an officer in the Expedition to Canada, 1690. 
Abel Platts of Rindge was b. in Rowley Feb. 6, 1703. He md. April 21, 
1725, Mary Varnum, and removed to Lunenburg 1738. At this time he 
began a clearing in Rindge, and for several years he resided in Lunenburg 
and in Rindge until the Indian alarms were quieted. In 1751 he settled 
permanently upon the clearing he had made in the forest. He d. July 23, 
1777. Ensign Joseph Platts, his son, was b. in Rowley 1726, and was the 
companion of his father in his early labors in Rindge. He md. Nov. 16, 
1752, Deborah Page, b. April 11, 1733, dau. of Joseph and Deborah (Gould) 
Page. He d. in Rindge Aug. 25, 1817. His son, Capt. Joseph Platts, b. in 
Rindge 1755, md. March 24, 1778, Abigail Sawtell, b. June 27, 1758, dau. 
of Jonathan and Mary (Holden) Sawtell of Rindge. He d. March 29, 1799. 



852 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



John Varnum Platts, son of Capt. Joseph Platts, b. April 22, 1786, also 
resided in Rindge. He md. May 2, 1811, Maria Demary, b. 1791, dau. of 
Ezekiel and Maria (Parker) Demary. He d. May 6, 1839; she d. Feb. 4, 
1834. These are the parents of John Varnura Platts of Ashbumham. 



10 



11 



John Varnum Platts, sod of John Varnum and Maria 
(Demary) Platts, was b. in Kludge March 10, 1813. 
He md. 1840, Louisa D. Bill of Gilsum, N. H., and re- 
moved to this town 1849. He was superintendent of the 
almshouse several years, and is now a farmer. His wife 
d. Jan. 20, 1872 ; he md. (2d) June, 1872, Augusta 
Whitcomb of Winchendon. 

I. 3faria A., b. Nov. 19, 1841 ; md. Orange E. 
Howe, q. v. 

II. Irving E., b. Feb. 4, 1845; md. Aug. 2, 1868, 
Ellen M. Lynde, b. in Westminster July 1, 1849, 
dau. of John and Lucy Lynde. He is a manu- 
facturer of chairs at South Village. 

III. Jerome A., b. Jan. 25, 1851; resides unmd. in 
this town. 



William Pollard with a family removed to this town 
in 1770 or 1771. He md. about 1760, Hannah Whitcomb 
of Harvard. He was a respected citizen and was fre- 
quently chosen to positions of trust. Five children were 
born in this town. It is possible that of the children born 
previous to 1771 all are not named in this register. He 
d. May 10, 1808 ; she d. Feb. 27, 1828. 

I. Sarah, b. 1762 ; d. Oct. 17, 1778. 
II. Kezia, b. ; md. Capt. Daniel Putnam, q, v. 



III. Hannah, b. 



; md. 1794, Joseph Howard of 



Westminster. 
IV. Achsah, b. Aug. 29, 1771 ; md. Stephen Bemis, 

q. V. 
V. William, b. April 1, 1773. 
VI. Belief, b. June 2, 1775 ; md. John Petts, q. v. 
VII. Molly, b. Feb. 17, 1777; md. Joshua Billings, Jr. 
VIII. Jonas, b. March 5, 1779. 



William Pollard, not a relative of William Pollard 
(No. 1), md. April 20, 1819, Lucy Davis, dau. of Amos 
Davis, q. v. He was a farmer in this town until 1848, 
when he removed to Rindge. He d. July 17, 1872 ; his 
wife d. Feb. 14, 1867. 

I. Almira Griffin, b. July 17, 1820; md. Lemuel 
Whitney, q. v. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



853 



12 

13 
14 
15 

16 



9 
10 



II. Lucy Spaulding, b. Sept. 25, 1822 ; md. Leonard 
Lane, q. v. 

III. Sally Davis, b. March 7, 1828 ; d. Nov. 25, 1833. 

IV. Susan Abigail, b. Dec. 25, 1831. 
V. William H., b. Aug. 20, 1837. 

VI. Ivers E., b. Oct 10, 1842. 



Jacob Polley md. Desire Flint, and removed to the 
southeast part of the town about 1785. He was a 
prominent character in the effort to secure the incorpora- 
tion of a new town, including a part of Ashburnham, 
Westminster, Fitchburg and Ashby. About 1816, he 
removed to Acworth, N. H. Nine children were b. in 
this town. 

I. Peter, b. May 14, 1786 ; d. Aug. 23, 1806. 
II. Amos, b. Feb. 6, 1788. 

III. Dorcas, b. Nov. 26, 1789 ; md. Reuben Rice, Jr., 

q. V. 

IV. Jacob, b. Jan. 25, 1792 ; md. Lois Gibson of 

Ashby. 
V. Desire, b. May 9, 1794. 
VI. Gertrude, b. Dec. 22, 1796; md. Moses Gushing, 

g. V. 
VII. David,h. Nov. 22, 1798. 
VIII. Flint, b. Sept 20, 1801. 
IX. Mary Graves, b. Oct. 7, 1804. 



Hartford Potter, son of Bennett Potter, was b. in 
Walpole, N. H., Dec. 21, 1811. He md. Nov. 14, 1837, 
Thurza M. Marvin; md. (2(1) May 7, 1865, Abigail 
(Stone) Whitne}', widow of Stephen P. Whitney. He 
resided in Templeton several years, and removed to this 
town in 1866. He owns and occupies the Perley Howe 
farm, near South Village. 

I. Henry M., b. Aug. 26, 1838 ; he is a merchant in 

Newark, N. J. 
II. Hester A. E., b. June 17, 1844 ; md. William H. 
White of Grafton. 

III. Frederick H, b. Feb. 20, 1849; md. Sept. 28, 

1869, Ellen S. Winship (Munroe 15) ; he d. 
Oct. 27, 1869. 

IV. Florence M., b. June 24, 1866. 



PRATT. 

Ephraim Pratt is found in Shrewsbury as early as 1724. Concerning 
the date of his birth and consequently of his age at his decease there has 
been a difference of opinion. It is claimed with a reasonable measure of 



854 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



assurance that he was a son of Ephraim and Elizabeth Pratt of Sudbury and 
a grandson of Joshua Pratt, b. in England 1598, and of Plymouth 1628, and 
that he was b. in Sudbury Nov. 30, 1704. In other accounts it has been 
asserted that he was b. Nov. 13, 1687. He d. in Shutesbury in May, 1804. 
His age consequently was 99 years and 6 months, or 116 years and 6 months. 
He. md. July 9, 1724, Martha Wheelock, b. 1698, dau. of Samuel and Lydia 
Wheelock of Marlboro', and later of Shrewsbury. Among their eight 
children was Ephraim Pratt, Jr., b. Feb. 7, 1728. He md. in Shrewsbury 
Oct. 10, 1752, Abiah Leland. About 1774 he removed to Westminster and, 
subsequently, at the incorporation of Gardner, his house was included within 
the limits of that town, and the farm was divided by the town line. He d. 
July 23, 1815; his wife d. Oct. 25, 1813. Their nine children were b. in 
Shrewsbury. Of these the youngest was Aaron Pratt, b. Feb. 12, 1771. He 
md. Betsey Warren and resided in Gardner where his eight children were 
b. and where he d. July 15, 1812; his widow d. Sept. 3, 1831. William 
Pratt, son of Aaron and Betsey (Warren) Pratt, resided some years iu this 
town. John Pratt, brother of William, b. in Gardner Aug. 2, 1804, md. 
Feb. 28, 1840, Eliza French, dau. of Joel French, q. v. He resided a short 
time in Marlboro', N. H., where he was an innholder. Subsequently he 
removed to Weathersfield, Vt., and was there a prominent citizen. He 

d. ; his wife d. Feb. 28, 1840. Capt. Charles H. Pratt, who md. a 

daughter of George G. Samson, is a son of Russell Pratt of Westminster, a 
younger son of Aaron and Betsey (Warren) Pratt. 



10 



William Pratt, b. iu Gardner Jan. 2, 1811, son of 
Aaron and Betsey (Warren) Pratt, md. Sarah Mat- 
thews and removed to this town about 1844. He d. Nov. 
30, 1850 ; his wife d. Oct. 15, 1850. 

Aaron^ b. 1831 ; md. 1857, Mary W. Morton, dau. 

of John D, Morton, g. v. He d. June 19, 1867. 
Otis, b. ; md. 1855, Marv E. Bixby, dau. of 

Joel R. Bixby, q. v. ; d. May 9, 1880. 
Sarah, b. March 23, 1836 ; d. Sept. 3, 1850. 
Joel, b. ; md. Abbie Brooks of Westminster; 

lives in Leominster. 
WilUam,h. 1843; md. Jan. 3, 1864, Julia Newell 

of Springfield ; lives in Gardner. 
Eliza, b. Nov. 8, 1845 ; md. 1867, Benjamin Brown 

of Gardner. 
Walter, h. Feb. 28, 1846 ; md. 1871, Anna Wright 

of Gardner ; lives in Gardner. 



John M. Pratt, son of John and Eliza (French) Pratt, 
was b. in Weathersfield, Vt., Dec. 1, 1828. He md. 
Sept. 15, 1854, Sarah F. Ward, dau. of Silas Ward, q. v., 
and has resided since his marriage in the South Village, 
where he has been engaged in the manufacture of baskets. 
He has been a Selectman and Overseer of the Poor sev- 
eral years. 

I. Herbert A., b. March 28, 1867. 



2 


I. 


3 


II. 


4 


III. 


5 


IV. 


6 


V. 


7 


VI. 


8 


VII. 



10 

11 

12 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 855 

Clarence M. Proctor, son of William and Betsey 
(Tliompson) Proctor, was h. in Andover, N. H., Oct. 23, 
1816. He removed to this town in 1840 and was an 
officer in the Ashburnham Light Infantr3^ He md. Nov. 

9, 1842, Mary S. Dexter wlio d. ; md. (2d) June 

6, 1855, Armina A. Proctor of Franklin, N. H. 

I. Clarence D., b. Aug. 27, 1843; md. Nov. 25, 
1869, Hattie A. Sylvester, b. Dec. 26, 1843; 
d. Sept. 10, 1875. He is a farmer in this town. 

II. Murray W.. b. Dec. 31, 1845; d. Aug. 7, 1847. 

III. Evelyn M., b. July 30, 1848 ; d. June 12, 1877. 

IV. Betsey J., b. Dec. 12, 1851 ; d. Aug. 26, 1853. 



Reuben Puffer, son of Jacob and Hannah (Haynes) 
Puffer, was b. in Ashby Aug. 14. 1810. He has resided 
in this town with little interruption during the past fifty 
years. He is a contractor and builder and is engaged in 
the manufacture of sash and blinds. He md. Nov. 27, 
1834, Martha Pippr who d. Nov. 13, 1848 ; he md. (2d) 
June 2, 1849. Esther Aldrich ; she d. Dec. 6, 1883. 

I. Charlefi Henry, b. Jan. 1, 1836; md. 1855, Lois 
I. Goodwin, dau. of Matthew E. Goodwin, q. v. 

He was a veteran of the 21st Regiment ; died in 

the service May 1, 1864; she md. (2d) Alvaro 

Foster. 
11. George F., b. March 24, 1838; md. Feb. 22, 

1864, Lois M. Burgess, dau. of Ivers Burgess, 

q. V. He was a veteran of the 21st Regiment ; 

he d. in Lynn Oct 22, 1866. 
III. Eugene A., b. Jan. 26, 1840; md. May 14, 1868, 

Mary A. Dalrymple, b. in Gardner March 8. 

1844, dau. of John Dalrymple. He served in 

the 21st Regiment and was discharged on 

account of wounds March 27, 1863. 
IV.- Helen Jlf., b. May 17, 1842 ; md. George E. Davis, 

son of George Davis, q. v. 
V. Sarah E., b. July 25, 1844 ; md. Orlando Vaughn 

of Fitchburg. 
VI. Abbie i^f., b. April 26,1846; d. nnmd. Sept. 3, 

1882. 

VII. Reuben A.,h. Sept. 11, 1851; md. Sarah Shep- 

herd; resides in Worcester. 

VIII. Martha A., b. April 24, 1854: md. J. Quincy 

Willard, son of Merrick Willard. q. v. 
IX. FranMin E., b. Sept. 25, 1857; d. Sept. 2, 1858. 
X. JJllie F., I). June 9. 1861 ; d. Sept. 14, 1862. 
XI. Walter 0., b. June 11, 1865. 



856 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



PUTNAM. 

The lineage of John, Nathan and Capt. Daniel Putnam, once residents of 
this town, has not been traced. They were brothers and sons of John Put- 
nam of Danvers and Framingham. Salmon W. Putnam, No. 7 in the follow- 
ing register, was of the seventh generation of liis family in America. The 
emigrant ancestor was John Putnam from Aston Abbott, near Aylesbury, in 
the county of Bucks, England. With wife Priscilla and sons, Thomas, 
Nathaniel and Jolm, he settled in Salem 1G34. John, the father, d. Dec. 30, 
1662. Thomas, the eldest son, b. in England probably in 1610, resided a 
few years in Lynn, but returned to Salem where he d. May 5, 1686. He md. 
Oct. 17, 1643, Ann Holyoke, dau. of Edward Holyoke; md. (2d) the widow 
of Nathaniel Veren. Joseph Putnam, a son of the second marriage, was the 
father of Gen. Israel Putnam. Dea. Edward Putnam, a son of the first wife, 
b. 1654, md. June 4, 1681, Mary Ilolten and resided in a part of Salem now 
in Danvers. He d. 1747. Elisha Putnam, son of Dea. Edward, b. Nov. 3, 
1685, md. Susannah Fuller, dau. of Jonathan Fuller of Danvers and removed 
to Sutton where he d. 1745 ; his widow md. (2d) Capt. John Sadler of Upton. 
Of the children of Elisha and Susanna (Fuller) Putnam, were Col. Rufus 
Putnam of Revolutionary fame and John Putnam who was b. in Sutton. 



John Putnam md. in Marll)oro' 1771, Molly Baker, b. 
in Marlboro' Aug. 20, 1747, dau. of Robert Baker. In 
1775 they removed to Ashburnham aud his name is on 
the roll of Capt. Davis company of minute-men. He 
was here in 177'.) l)ut removed soon after that date to 
Chester, \'t. 



I. Jesse, b. July ol 

II. Robert, b. June : 

III. Infant .^ b. 177G ; 



, 1772. 
.^3, 1774. 
d. Oct. 3, 



1778. 



Nathan Putnam, a brother of John and Capt. Daniel, 
was here while John remained. The name of his wife 
was Dorothy. He removed to Stow. 



I. Daniel, bap. July 1(3, 1775 ; d. Sept. 
II. Dolly, bap. May 18, 1777. 



1777, 



Capt. Daniel Putnam, b. in Sudbury Sept. 25, 1755, 
son of John Putnam, came to Ashburnham in 1774 or 
1775. He served one enlistment in Capt. Sawyer's 
comi)any in Col. Dike's regiment in 1776, and possibly 
rendered other service. After the war he was a paptain 
of the militia and a prominent man in business affairs. 
He bought aud sold land in this and the surrounding 
towns, and his familiar name appears frequently in the 
records of liis time. He md. March l-S, 1777, Elizabetli 
Locke, dau. of Jolm Locke or Overlack, q. v. ; she d. 
Aug. 8, 177G ; he md. (2d) Nov. 29, 1787, Kezia Pollard, 
dau. of William Pollard, q. v. In 1798 he removed to 
Winchendou, and in 1«1U to Windham, Vt., where he d. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



5o7 



10 

11 

12 

13 

14 
15 

16 

17 

18 



Oct. 21, 1819. So far as kuowu there were seventeen 
children but no record has been found.. Levi, the third of 
the five children of the first wife, d. June o, 1790, aud 
Elizabeth d. in infancy. The names of the children 
were : John, who resided in Williamstowu, Daniel, Levi, 
Jacob, J^lizabeth, William, Silas, Jonas, Abel, Mary, 
Josephine, Laura, Myra, Pliny, Elmira, Resina aud 
Aurilla. 



Salmon W. Putnajf, son of John and Mary (Ilodiis- 
kins) Putuam, was b. in Ilopkinton Dec. 10, i815. lie 
came to Ashburnham early in 1837 aud for a short time, 
in connection with his elder brother .John Putuam, was 
engaged in business at Factory Milage. Subsequently 
he lived in Fitchburg. In the establishment of the 
Putnam Machine Co., in the conduct of an extensive 
business, his life and labors fill an eventful and an inter- 
esting page in the annals of a prosperous city. He 
occupied with credit many positions of trust, was a 
director in several monetary institutions and thoroughly 
identified with the growth aud prosperity of the town and 
the city of Fitchburg. He md. March 10, 1840, Harriet 
J. Whitney, dan. of Ohio Whitney, q. v. He d. Feb. 
23, 1872. Nine children. The sous have succeeded to 
the general management of the corporation and have 
frecjuently been elected to positions in uuuiicipal affairs. 

I. Henry 0., h. Jan. 4, 1841 ; md. Sept. 29, 1859, 

Sarah A. Smith. 
II. Salmon TF., b. Oct. If), 1.S43 : md. Jan. 22, 1.S73, 

Emma J. Park. 
HI. Charles F., b. Aug. o, 1845; md. Oct. 16, l.S' 
Coralie J. Lawrence : she d. 



IV. Harriet £"., b. May 5, 1848 

Loring Sears. 
V. William D., b. Sept. 
VI. George E., b. Oct. 

couusellor-at-law ; 



md. Oct. 16, 
July ;■), 1881. 
md. Oct. 18, 



Ls; 



20, IS.-, I ; d. Aug. 19, 1<S52. 
14, l.S,')4; an attorney and 
unmd. 

Laura J., b. Sept. 4, 1856 ; md. March 30, 1880, 

Rev. S. J. Stewart ; she resides in Fitchburg. 

Mary Adelaide I., h. Oct. 8, 185.S ; md. Oct. 12, 

1882, Pxlward S. Crocker. 
Marion ilf., b. Nov. 15, 1861. 



RANDALL. 

Several families of Randall were among the early settlers of New England. 
Many problems concerning the relationship of persons whose general history 
is known, and the line of separation between distinct families remain to be 
solved. It is, however, more than probable that the Randalls of Stow 



858 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



were descendants of widow Elizabeth Randall who d. in Watertown Dec. 24, 
1672, ag;ed 80. It is certain that Stephen Randall of Ashburnham was of the 
Stow family. One Stephen Randall was rated in Stow 1688, and it is 
claimed that he had sons Stephen, Samuel, John and Abraham. It is clear 
that as yet the Stephen Randall of Ashburnham has not been named. The 
traditions of the Ashburnham family assert that Stephen of Ashburnham 
was the son of Stephen and grandson of the Stephen who was rated 1688. 
In support of the tradition the record of birth is not found, but between 1734 
and 1750 seven children of Samuel and Priscilla Randall were b. in Stow. 
Of these the eldest was Stephen Randall, b. Jan. 31, 173-1:, and until new 
discoveries present a denial, the assumption may be regarded with con- 
siderable assurance that it is this Stephen Kandall whose record is continued 
in the following register. 



Stephen Randall, then a resident of Stow, md. ITo?,' 
Lydia Patch. The intentions were recorded Aug. 1, but 
no record of the marriage has been found. She d. leaving 
one daughter, whose descendants are numerous. He md. 
(2d) iu Harvard, but himself a resident of Stow, May 
13, 17G2, Sarah Fairbanks, b. in Harvard Oct. 27, 1742, 
dan. of I)ea. Phinehas and Sarah Fairbanks and a grand- 
dau. of Dea. Joseph Fairbanks, q. v. She was a sister 
to the wife of Daniel Knight, q. v. About 1772 he 
removed from Stow to Harvard, and in 1780 he removed 
to this town. He was a sulistantial citizen and by occu- 
pation a farmer. In 1781 he was chosen tithingman 
which asserts a propriety of deportment and a dignity of 
manner. In 1782 he was chosen sexton, and by annual 
election was continued in that solemn office until 1799. 
In 180.S he removed to Willi.ston, Vt., where he d. April, 
1S28 ; Sarah, his wife, d. May 1, 182.S. Five children 
were born in Stow, three in Harvard and three in 
Ashburnham. 

I. Eunice, b. , 17r)9; md. March 1, 1781, Levi 

Fairbanks, b. iu Harvard 1755, son of Capt. 
Joseph and Abigail (Ilodgman) Fairlianks, and 
a brother of Cyrus Fair1)auks of Ashburnham. 
He settled in Westminster and after 1785 lived 
in Gardner, where he d. 1845. She d. 1851. 
Eight children and a numerous posterity. 
Phebe Fairbanks, who md. John Wilker, was a 
granddau . 
II. Stejihen^ b. June 20, 17G;).-|- 
iii. Phinehas, b. April 21, 17(55.4- 

IV. Ephraim, b. , 1707.-1- 

V. David, b. Jan. 19, 1771 ; d. March 18, 1770. 
VI. Sarah, b. March 7, 1773 ; d. May 21, 177(5. 
VII. Lydia, b. Oct. 2, 1775; md. Nehemiah Hobart, 

q. V. 
viH. Sarah, b. Dec. 23, 1778. 



10 

11 

12 
(3) 



13 
14 



15 

16 

17 

18 
19 

20 
(4) 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 859 

IX. David, h. April 22, 1781. -j- 

X. Samuel, b. Sept. 29, 1784. -f- 
XI. John, bap. and d. Oct. 4, 1787. 

Stephen Randall, eldest son of Stephen, was a farmer 
in Ashburnham until 1806. In 1795 he withdrew from 
the Conorreo-ational church and united with the Methodists. 
He became an influential member of that .young society 
and was enrolled among the early preachers. Subse- 
quently he preached about eight years in Vermont and 
finally located at a place now known as Kendall, in 
Orleans count}^ New York. He purchased a consider- 
able tract of land, and here he resided until his death 
April 16, 1828. In the records of Ashburnham there is 
ample evidence that he was held in high esteem, and both 
abilit}^ and character are reflected in his subsequent career. 
He md. in Ashburnham Feb. 24, 1785, Mary Rice, b. in 
Lancaster Jan. 16, 1762, dau. of Zebulon and Susanna 
(Allen) Rice, q. v. ; she d. at Barre, N. Y., July 15, 1852. 
Eight children b. in Ashburnham. 

I. Stephen, h. April 5, 1786; d. at Hamlin, N. Y., 

July 20, 1862. 
II. Amos, b. Jan. 3, 1788 ; md. April 7, 1813, Fanny 
Tabor. He was a farmer at Kendall, N. Y., 
where he d. Aug. 22, 1830 ; his widow d. Dec. 
22, 1877. Eight children ; among them, Hon. 
Gideon Randall ; Dr. James W. Randall of 
Albion, N. Y., d. Feb. 14, 1884; Amos S. 
Randall of Chicago, 111. 

III. Polly, b. Sept. 14, 1789 ; md. Cochrane. 

Their son, Wesley Cochrane, D. D., a retired 
Methodist clergyman and author. 

IV. Theophilus, b. Sept. 10, 1791 ; a successful physi- 

cian ; d. at Hamlin, N. Y., Feb. 20, 1854. 
V. John, b. 1794; d. March 14, 1795. 

VI. Betsey, b. Jan. 18, 1796 ; md. Sanborn. 

VII. John Wesley, b. Feb. 22, 1798; md. June 11, 
1820, Jane Daniels. He d. at Shabbona, 111., 
Jan. 10, 1880; she d. at Chicago Feb. 10, 
1868. 
VIII. Jesse Lee, b. March 21, 1804; d. in Pennsylvania 
March 27, 1832. 



PiUNEiiAS Randall md. in Ashburnham Oct. 26, 1786, 
Sarah Crosb}', b. in Billerica Dec. 25, 1763, dau. of Jesse- 
niah and Mary (Ilosley) Crosby ; she was a sister of the 
wife of Isaac Stearns. He resided in this town until 



860 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



21 
22 
23 

24 
25 
26 

27 
28 
29 



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30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 
36 
37 



(10) 



38 



(11) 



1808, and then with his father he removed to Willlstony 
Vt., where he d. in May, 1843 ; his wife d. Feb., 1843. 
Nine children were b. in Ashburnham. 

I. Phinehas^h. June 5, 1787.-|- 
II. Sally, b. May 22, 1790; d. Jan. 8, 1843. 
III. Lydia, b. June 30, 1792; deaf and dumb; was 

living 1875. 
rv. JSardis, h. Jan. 22, 1794 ; d. March 6, 1795. 

V. Infant, b. ; d. March 12, 1797. 

VI. Infant, b. and d. July 9, 1798. 
VII. Lois, b. Jan. 26, 1800 ; md. Joseph Pine. 
VIII. I7ifant, b. and d. March 3, 1804. 
IX. Mary, h. June 17, 1807; md. David Higgins who 

d. 1848; md. (2d) Bristol; she d. in 

Michigan 1849. 



Ephraim Randall, son of Stephen, md. Dorothy 
Davis, dau. of Capt. Deliverance Davis, g. v. They 
resided in this town until 1805, when they removed to- 
Vermont. 

I. David, b. March 18, 1789. 



II. Dolly, b. . 

III. Lucy, b. . 

IV. Sophia, b. . 

V. Infant, b. and d. Feb. 21, 1798. 

VI. Infant, b. ; d. June 29, 1799. 

VII. Infant, b. ; d. Nov. 20, 1800. 

VIII. Infant, b. ; d. June 2, 1803. 



39 



David Randall, son of Stephen, md. Betsey Hastings, 
dau. of Capt. Charles Hastings, q. v. It is not known 
when or where he d. She md. (2d) Joseph Spaulding, 
q. V. 

I. Caroline, b. March 5, 1805 ; md. Dea. Zenas 
Allen, q. v. 



Samuel Randall, son of Stephen, md. June 17, 1807, 
Anner Green, dau. of Oliver Green, q. v. He resided 
some years in Rutland, Vt. ; returned to Ashburnham 
1828. He was an intelligent man and by occupation a 
carpenter, wheelwright and a farmer. He d. March 20, 
1876; she d. Sept. 10, 1871. 

I. Adaline, b. April 30, 1808; md. Matthias Mead. 
He resided in this town, a blacksmith, at Lane 



40 
41 

(21) 



42 



43 



44 
45 

46 

47 
48 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 861 

Village from about 1830 to 1850; subsequently 
he resided in Lowell, where he was a dealer in 
stoves and tin ware. He is now living at Clar- 
endon, Vt. She d. Aug. 8, 1871. 

1. Sarah Adaline, b. Jan. 18, 1833 ; d. in 
Lowell 1861. 

II. Anner Green, b. July 21, 1810; md. Dea. William 
P. Ellis, q. V. 



Hon. Phinehas Randall, Middlebury College 1813. 
Vide page 497. He was a member of the New York 
Legislature 1828-9, and in 1839 was appointed Presiding 
Judge of Common Pleas, Montgomery county. In 1851 
he removed to Waukesha, AVis. He md. 1817, Sarah 
Beach. They had ten children. He d. June 2, 1853. 

I. Alexander TF., b. Oct. 31, 1819 ; removed in 1840 
to Wisconsin and the same year began the prac- 
tice of law ; member of Constitutional Conven- 
tion 1847 ; member of the Legislature 1855 ; 
appointed Circuit Judge 1856 ; Governor of 
Wisconsin two terras 1857-61 ; appointed U. S. 
Minister to Rome 1862 ; First Assistant Post- 
master General 1863 ; Postmaster General 
1869-72. He md. 1842, Mary Van Vechten 
whod. 1858 ; md. (2d) 1866, Helen M. Thomas. 
He d. July 26, 1872. 
II. Edwin M., b. April 5, 1822 ; a successful lawyer, 
admitted to the bar 1843 ; removed to Wiscon- 
sin 1845, and to Jacksonville, Fla., 1867; 
appointed 1868 Chief Justice of Florida, a 
position he ably occupied until 1885, when he 
resigned and resumed the practice of his pro- 
fession. He md. 1847, Julia A. Mills of Lewis 
county, N. Y. 

III. Esther Amelia, h. April 30, 1825; md. 1849, Earl 

Trumbull; he d. 1851 ; md. (2d) 1860, Harvey 
E. Williams. 

IV. Harriet J/., b. Sept. 9, 1827; md. 1849, Edward 

Orr, and d. in Detroit, Mich., four weeks 
afterward. 
V, Otis^ />., b. March 14, 1830 ; md. 1856, Hattie C. 

Stout. He is a merchant in Chicago, 111. 
VI. Julia 3L, b. June 23, 1832; md. 1853, John D. 

Dunn, Esq. ; he d. 1869. 
VII. Mary J.,h. July 27, 1835; md. 1856, John K. 
Russell of Chicago, 111. 



862 



HISTORY OF ASHBUllNHAM. 



49 
50 

51 



52 



vm. William W., b. Nov. 18, 1837; unmd. 

IX. Addison Crosby, h. June 3, 1840 ; md. 1866, 

Louisa Butterworth ; resides in Minnesota. 

X. Henry M., b. Nov. 14, 1842 ; resides unmd. in 

California. 



53 
54 
55 



Jonas Randall, not immediately connected with the 
above families, was in Ashburnham from 1802 to 1807. 
Perhaps he was a son of Abraham Randall of Stow, for 
Paul Randall was here a year or two, and Jonas, son of 
Abraham Randall, had a brother Paul. If this conjecture 
is correct, he was b. in Stow Feb. 27, 1780. The only 
additional record is the mention of his wife Caty and 
three children. i 

I. Cyrus, b. Dec. 6, 1802. 
II. Catherine, b. Aug. 7, 1804. 
III. Elizabeth, b. April 23, 1806. 



Daniel Raymond, with wife Molly, removed from 
Worcester to Ashby in May, 1785. Their eight children 
were b. in Ashby, and he d. there Oct. 1, 1835. 



6 
10 
11 



Daniel Raymond, son of Daniel and Molly Raymond, 
was b. May 18, 1788. He md. in June, 1812, Sally Green, 
b. March 27, 1789, dau of Isaac Green. He resided in 
Ashby until 1822, when he removed to this town, where 
he d. Jan. 5, 1846. He was a carpenter and carriage 
maker. Except the youngest daughter and son Charles, 
the children were b. in Ashby. 

I. Ilary Green, b. May 18, 1813 ; md. April 15, 1829, 

James F. Barrett. 
II. Infant, b. June 11, 1814 ; d. young. 

III. William, b. Oct. 27, 1815. A missionary to 

Africa, vide page 500. He md. Eliza Ruggles 
ofBrantford, Canada. 

IV. Leivis, b. Dec. 15, 1816; md. Cynthia Wheeler 

of Ashby. Engaged in the manufacture of 
musical instruments at Norwich, Conn., where 
he d. 1846. 
V. Joel, b. Dec. 19, 1817 ; md. Elizabeth Fairbank 

of Boston ; d. 1846 at Norwich, Conn, 
VI. Ari, b. May 7, 1820 ; vide page 514 ; md. Eliza 

Secomb of Salem. 
vii. Alvin, b. April 5, 1822; d. July 31, 1832. 

VIII. Elvira Kinsley, b. July 29, 1823 ; d . 

IX. Charles, b. Jan. 6, 1826.+ 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTEll. 



863 



(11) 



12 

13 
14 



9 
10 
11 
12 

13 



Charles Raymond was a machinist apprentice in 
Lowell and subsequently engaged in business in Bristol, 
Conn. He gave early thought and attention to the sew- 
ing machines and has protected several inventions under 
letters patent. Since 1862 he has been an extensive 
manufacturer of sewing machines at Guelph, Canada, with 
an annual sale of $200,000. He has been elected to 
many positions in municipal affairs and has ever been an 
earnest advocate of public schools. He is a deacon of the 
Baptist church and is prominently connected with the 
missionary societies of Canada, and an active member of 
the executive board for Foreign Missions. 

He md. Aug. 9, 1847, Mary C. Marston of Sharon, Vt., 
who d. June, 1869; md. (2d) Aug. 17, 1870, Helen J. 
Gillof Brattleboro', Vt. 

I. Emma Ardelia, b. April 3, 1849 ; md. John Crowe 

of Guelph. 
II. Arthur, b. April 25, 1853 ; d. May 14, 1854. 
III. Ada F., b. Oct. 18, 1855 ; md. John B. Minor of 
Brantford, Canada. 



Isaac Reed was b. in Littleton Oct. 7, 1768. He was 
a son of Samuel and Hannah (Raymond) Reed, grandson 
of Major Benjamin and Rebecca (Stone) Reed of Little- 
ton and a great-grandson of Capt. William and Sarah 
(Poulter) Reed of Lexington. He md. July 9, 1789, 
Rebecca Fletcher of Westford and removed to this town 
in 1794. He lived in the east part of the town. The 
family disappeared about 1813. 

I. Rebecca, b. in Westford Oct. 16, 1789 ; d. Feb. 2, 

1792. 
II. Betsey, b. in Tyngsboro' May 2, 1791. 

III. Rebecca, b. in Westford Feb. 12, 1793. 

IV. Isaac, b. in Ashburnham Feb. 17, 1795 ; d. March 

2, 1796. 
V. Joanna, b. Jan. 22, 1797. 

VI. Jonathan, b. March 22, 1799; d. Feb. 27, 1805. 
VII. Thomas Jefferson, b. March 18, 1801; d. March 

4, 1805. 
VIII. Isaac, b. June 23, 1803. 
IX. Sumner, b. Sept. 4, 1805, 
X. Lucy, b. Jan. 14, 1808. 
XI. Thomas Jefferson, b. April 27, 1810. 



Jonas Reed was b. in Woburn April 15, 1758. He 
was a son of George and Mary (Wood) Reed, grandson 



864 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



14 


I. 


15 


II. 


16 


III. 


17 


IV. 


18 


V. 


19 


VI. 



(16) 



20 
21 
22 

23 

24 



of Ebenezer and Huldah Reed, great-grandson of Dea. 
George and Abigail (Pierce) Reed, great-great-grandson 
of George and Elizabeth (Jennison) Reed and great-great- 
great-grandsou of William and Mabel Reed, the emigrant 
ancestors. Jonas Reed md. in Woburn Jul}' 2, 1778, 
Rhoda Johnson and removed to this town previous to 
1800. He was a farmer in the east part of the town on 
the farm known as the Josiah Eaton farm. His wife d. 
Jan., 1830, aged 70. 

Rhoda, b. April 18, 1779 ; md. James Weston, q. v. 
Jonas, b. June 17, 1781 ; resided in this town 

until about 1812. 
Benjamin., b. Feb. 24, 1784.-f- 
Patty, b. July 28, 1790. 

Mary, b. ; md. Josiah Eaton, q. v. 

Nancy, h. June 27, 1794; md. Ezekiel Merriam, 

q. V. 



Benjamin Reed, sou of Jonas, and wife Betsej^ came to 
this town 1807, and disappeared soon after 1821. The 
tax lists indicate that he was elsewhere two or three 
years about 1815. 

I. Betsey, b. Sept. 3, 1808. 

II. Sophronia, b. Feb. 21, 1810. 

III. Elislia, b. Aug. 3, 1818. 

IV. Ivers, b. June 20, 1820. 



Joshua Fletcher Reed, then of Ashburnham, md. 
1815, Betsey Fletcher of Westford. They buried two 
children in this town, one in 1818 and one in 1819. No 
record of his death; she md. (2d) 1823, John Fenno of 
Rindge. 



RICE. 

Edmund Rice, b. about 1594, came from Barkhamstead, Hertfordshire, 
in England, and settled in Sudbury 1639. He was selectman several years, 
one of the deacons of the church, and the recipient of several appointments 
from the General Court. He was one of the petitioners for the grant which 
afterwards was known as Marlboro' and subsequently removed to that place. 
His wife, Tamazine, d. in Sudbury June 13, 1654; and he md. (2d) March 
1, 1655, Mercy (Hurd) Brigham, widow of Thomas Brigham, the emigrant. 
He d. in Marlboro' May 3, 1663, and was buried in Sudbury. His widow 
md. (3d) 1664, William Hunt, and d. Dec. 28, 1G93. Thomas Rice (son of 
Edmund) and wife Mary resided in Sudbury until about 1664, when he 
removed to Marlboro', where he d. Nov. 16, 1681. The youngest of his 
thirteen children was Elisha Rice, b. in Marlboro' Dec. 11, 1679. He md. 
Feb. 20, 1707-8, Elizabeth Wheeler of Concord. He resided a few years in 
Sudbury, and in 1719 he was one of the proprietors of Worcester and was 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



865 



residing there; but he soon returned to Sudbury where he d. 17G1. Zebulon 
Rice, the youngest of the seven children of Elisha Rice, was b. in Sudbury 
Jan. 5, 1725. He md. Dec. 7, 1749, Susanna Allen of Sudbury. He settled 
in Lancaster and at the incorporation of Boylston or some other change in 
town lines his farm was included within that town. He d. in Boylston Dec. 
26, 1799; his widow d. in Ashburnham Dec. 17, 1823. Of the seventeen 
children of Zebulon and Susanna (Allen) Rice, six have resided in this town. 
Three sons, Jonas, Reuben and Eliakim, are named in the following register: 
Susanna became the wife of Jonathan Samson, Mary the wife of Stephen 
Randall, jr., and Dolly, b. June 5, 1776, md. 1801, John Babcock, resided 
several years in Eitchburg and d. in this town 1837. 



9 
10 
11 



(4) 



12 



Jonas Rice, son of Zebulon and Susanna (Allen) Rice, 
was b. in Lancaster Feb. IG, 1754. He resided in Salem 
in 1775 and in 1776 and 1777 he was in Sterling. He 
md. May 10, 1779, Zilpah Townsend, dau. of Joshua 
and Mary Townsend, q. v., and the same year 
removed to this town. He was a farmer and an indus- 
trious, respectable citizen. He settled in the southwest 
part of the town but removed to. the Sawin farm. Vide 
pages 180 and 201. He d. April 26, 1836 ; his widow d. 
July 22, 1846. 

I. Persis, b. July 1, 1782; blind; d. unmd. July 4, 

1857. 
II. Zilpah, b. Feb. 25, 1784 ; md. Abel Wright, q. v. 

III. Levi, b. Aug. 19, 1785.4- 

IV. Mary, b. June 9, 1788 ; md. Jan. 28, 1813, Luther 

Willoughby of Ilollis, N. H. ; they resided at 
Goffstown, N. H., where she d. April 1, 1843. 
V. Lucy, b. July 24, 1790; md. 1809, Ebenezer 
Jaquith ; lived at Washington, N. H., and sub- 
sequently at Milford, N. H. 
VI. Jonas, b. April 1, 1792 ; blind ; d. unmd. Nov. 26, 

1854. 
VII. Ruth, b. Dec. 31, 1793 ; md. Samuel Brooks, son 

of Thaddeus Brooks, q. v. 
VIII. Susan, b. Jan. 20, 1796; d. unmd. June 13, 1863. 
IX. Silas, b. April 13, 1798.-f 
X. Salmon, b. Sept. 30, 1800. -|- 



Levi Rice md. April 27, 1809, Anna Sawyer, b. May 
16, 1791, dau. of Eli and Anna (Laws) Sawyer of 
Westminster. They resided in this town. He d. March 
11, 1837 ; she d. Aug. 29, 1883, aged 92. 

I. Levi, b. Aug. 14, 1809; md. May 2, 1832, 
Deborah Willard, dau. of John AVillard, q. v. 
They resided in Sterling, where he d. Nov. 24, 
1885 ; she d. Jan., 1875. Five children. 
55 



866 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



13 



14 



15 



16 


IV 


17 


V 


18 


VI 


19 


VII 



(10) 



20 

21 
22 

23 
24 
25 



Joseph, b. Aug. 5, 1813; nicl. Sept. 13, 1835, 
Eveline A. Stoddard, b. in Chesterfield, N. H., 
April 2, 1814, dau. of Arad and Polly (Davis) 
Stoddard. She d. Feb., 1886; he resides at 
South Village. 

1. Susan C, b. Dec. 17, 1859 (adopted)'; 
she was postmaster Ashburnham depot 
from 1881 to 1886. 

Nancy, b. March 10, 1816 ; d. March 29, 1819, 

scalded. 
Sylvia, b. May 30, 1818 ; md. Eber Gibson, q. v. 
Saivyer, b. June 12, 1820; md. Jan. 23, 1847, 

Mary Catlin ; removed to Maine ; now resides 

in Chelsea. 
Arvilla, b. Nov. 20, 1822 ; md. John Nichols, q. v. 
Aaron, b. March 24, 1827 ; md. Flora Catlin ; 

resided in Fitchburg, where he d. Feb. 6, 1882. 



Silas Rice was a farmer in Ashburnham. He 
removed to Ashby 1852, where he d. Sept. 30, 1862. 
He md. Sept. 12, 1825, Almu-a Corey, dau. of Stephen 
Corey, q. v. She d. Feb. 25, 1843 ; he md. (2d) May 8, 
1844, Adaliue (Kendall) Sawin, widow of Stephen Sawin, 
q. V. She d. in Fitchburg Aug. 24, 1885. 

I. Elizabeth C, b. March 21, 1827; md. April 4, 
1850, Jonas Whitney, son of Prescott Whitney 
of Ashby ; resided in Fitchburg, where she d. 
May 3, 1874. One son: Frank O., a civil 
engineer in Boston. 
II. Edwin, b. Dec. 21, 1834 ; d. in Paxton, 111., s.p., 
April 29, 1884. 

III. Walter, b. Dec. 25, 1836 ; a Congregational 

clergyman. Vide page 505. He md. Aug. 
24, 1865, Nellie F. King, dau. of Vila and 
Eleanor (Kendall) King. They reside in Bran- 
don, Vt. 

IV. Dexter S., b, Aug. 3, 1840; md. 1865, Mercy 

Bangs; resides in Portland, Me., where he is 
extensively engaged in the manufacture of 
furniture. 
V. Charles H., b. Feb. 19, 1843; a physician in 
Fitchburg. Vide page 517. He md. June 1, 
1870, Delia L. Estabrook, dau. of Samuel and 
Luciuda Estabrook. 
VI. Almira M., b. Jan. 28, 1845 ; d. Feb. 17, 1856. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



867 



(11) 



26 



27 

28 
29 
30 

31 



32 
33 

34 
35 
36 
37 

38 
39 
40 
41 

42 
43 



Salmon Rice md. Nov. 29, 1827, Catherine Ciunmiugs 
of New Ipswich, and in 1832 removed to New Boston, 
N. H., where he d. Dec. 12, 1838 ; his widow d. in 
Amherst, N. H., Dec. 31, 1883. 

I, Sarah Cummings, h. Sept. 3, 1828 ; md. May 4, 

1847, Phineas P. Davis of Concord, N. H. 

He d. March 8, 1864; his widow resides in 

Ashburnham. Their only child, Susie Wallace 

Davis, b. Feb. 12, 1863, md. June 3, 1884, 

Alfred H, Whitney. 
II. Charles, b. Aug. 8, 1830; md. Oct. 6, 1857, 

Sarah Cassidy of Northboro' ; resides at Felton, 

Delaware. 
HI. Catherine F., b. March 30, 1833 ; unrad. ; resides 

in Amherst, N. H. 
IV. George E., b. Sept. 28, 1835 ; md. Feb. 13, 1862 ; 

d. Jan. 27, 1877 ; resided in Wilmington, Del. 
V. Salmon W., b. Feb. 14, 1839; md. 1861, Anna 

Engle ; resides at Wilmington, Del. 

Reuben Rice, a brother of Jonas Rice, was b. in Lan- 
caster Aug. 10, 1757. He resided a few j'ears in Lancas- 
ter and in Winchendon and was in the service during the 
Revolution. Vide page 181. He settled in the southeast 
part of this town 1780. Although prominently identified 
with the effort to secure the incorporation of the town of 
Belvoir he was ever a useful and a loj'al citizen of this 
town. He md. June 8, 1784, Sarah Metcalf, dau. of 
Joseph Metcalf, q. v. She d. Feb. 16, 1814 ; he md. 
(2d) 1816, Charlotte Johnson, dau. of Simeon Johnson 
of Dublin, N. H. He d. March 22, 1837. 



Infant, b. 



d. May 20, 1785. 



II. Sarah, b. March 25, 1786; md. Benjamin Gibbs, 
q. V. 

III. Reuben, b. Jan. 20, 1789. + 

IV. Infant, b. ; d. Feb. 24, 1791. 

v. Joseph, b. Oct. 23, 1792.-|- 

VI, Anna, b. Sept. 25, 1794; md. Ephraim Taylor, 

g. V. 
VII. Eunice, b. June 19, 1797 ; md. John Conn, q. v. 
VIII. Amos, b. June 28, 1799.-|- 
IX. Zehulon, b. May 6, 1801.+ 
X. Lucy, b. Dec. 20, 1803 ; md. Benjamin Gibbs, 

q. V. 
XI. Matilda, b. July 24, 1806 ; md. John Conn. 
XII. Emma, b. March 6, 1811 ; md. Benjamin Adams 
of Leominster. 



868 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



(34) 



44 
45 

(36) 



46 

47 
48 
49 
50 

51 



52 
(39) 

53 

54 

(40) 



Reuben Rice, Jr., md. Jan. 19, 1813, Dorcas Poliey, 
dau. of Peter Polley ; she d. Sept. 17, 1816 ; he md. (2d) 
July 12, 1820, Charlotte Stearns, dau. of William Stearns, 
q. V. He served in the War of 1812 and subsequently 
was commander of the Ashburnham Light Infantry. In 
1837 he removed to Fitchburg and later to Lunenburg, 
where he d. ; his wife d. 1849. 

I. George Proctor, b. April 4, 1816; md. 1840, 

Clarissa Angell ; removed to Vermont. 
11. Charles Stearns, b. Oct. 18, 1824 ; md. Catherine 
L. Brown of Westminster ; removed to West- 
minster. 



Joseph Rice md. Feb. 26, 1818, Susan Balcom and re- 
sided near Factory Village. He was an officer several 
years of the Ashburnham Light Infantry, and was an 
active, substantial citizen. He d. Aug. 6, 1844 ; she md. 
(2d) William Wiswell of Westminster; md. (3d) Abel 
Bennett; she d. Dec. 2, 1883. 

I. Susan Allen, b. Jan. 23, 1818 ; d. unmd. Sept. 1, 

1841. 
II. Joseph Parker, b. March 10, 1821. + 

III. Edivin, b. Sept. 22, 1825 ; d. Dec. 8, 1825. 

IV. Martin, b. July 28, 1828; d. March 18, 1832. 

V. Mrick, b. Sept. 10, 1831 ; d. Aug. 20, 1833. 

VI. Oran S., b. Sept. 25, 1833; md. Nov. 12, 1868, 

Emma F. Pratt ; md. (2d) Oct. 9, 1876, Ella 
J. Stowell, dau. of Otis W. Stowell, q. v. He 
resides at Fitchburg. Four children. 
VII. Theodore, b. Jan. 5, 1841 ; d. in Westminster 
Dec. 13, 1860. 



Amos Rice md. Sept. 24, 1834, Eunice Robbins, dau. 
of Jonas Robbins, q. v. He resided in this town until 
1833, when he removed to Cambridge where he d. April 
4, 1841. 

I. Hervey Johnson, b. June 17, 1826 ; md. Susan A. 

Philton. 
11. Liicy Jane, b. April 6, 1830 ; md. Thaddeus P. 

Irish of Gorham, Me. 



Zebulon Rice md. June 1, 1826, Susan W. Whiting. 
He was a farmer in this town where his wife d. Feb. 19, 
1871. He subsequently removed to Maiden. 



55 
56 



(47) 



57 

58 
59 

60 



•61 
62 

63 



64 



65 
66 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 869 

I. David Zehulon, b. July 10, 1831 ; d. July 6, 1832. 
II. Susan E., b. Aug. 7, 1833 ; d. young. 

Col. Joseph P. Rice, whose name is embalmed in the 
memories of Ashburnham, was a useful and influential 
citizen as well as a brave soldier and an able commander. 
In Chap. XX, reference is made to his military' service. 
He grew up among the inhabitants of this town and was 
the recipient of an unusual measure of their confidence 
and respect. He was frank, manly and self-reliant, and 
for these qualities he was esteemed and trusted by his 
associates. He was frequently chosen to office and was 
the last member of the Legislature from this town while 
Ashburnham remained an independent representative dis- 
trict. He md. May, 1848, Laura J. Holton who d. Oct. 
8, 1853; md. (2d) June, 1857, Emma M. Garnett. He 
d. Sept. 1, 1862. 

I. Emma Josephine, b. Nov. 7, 1858 ; d. Aug. 3, 

1859. 
II. Frederic William, b. Sept. 27, 1860. 
III. Joseph JSfewburn, b. March 14, 1862. 



Eliakim Rice, a brother of Jonas and Reuben Rice, 
was b. in Lancaster 1756. After serving in the Revolu- 
tionary army he removed to this town about 1780. Vide 
page 181. He md. Hannah Kendall and resided in this 
town a few yeai"s, and two of his eight children were b. 
and bap. here. About 1785 he removed to Hartland, Vt. 

I. John, bap. July 23, 1780. 
II. Sarah, bap. May 26, 1782. 



Phinehas Rice, lineage not traced ; resided several 
3'ears on the Winchendon road. There is no record of his 
family. 

Jonah Rice, perhaps a brother of Phinehas Rice, occu- 
pied the same farm. Jonah Rice md. in Marlboro' April 
8, 1789, Molly Hoit, and removed to this town in 1790. 
In 1819 he removed to Otisco, N. Y. The oldest child 
was b. in Marlboro' and eight in this town. He d. 1833 ; 
his widow d. 1858. 

I. Mary, b. Sept. 23, 1789; md. Caleb Ward, Jr., 

q. V. 
II. William, b. June 7, 1791. 



870 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



67 

68 
69 

70 
71 

72 
73 



74 



III. Thomas, b. Jan. 28, 1794; md. 1817, Mary Bow- 

man, dau. of John Bowman, q. v. 

IV. Lucy, b. Jan. 8, 1796. 

V. Levi, b. July 27, 1799 ; md. Jan. 30, 1822, Cath- 
erine K. Reed. 
VI. Jolm, b. July 7, 1801. 

VII. Stephen, b. ; d. Oct. 20, 1805, aged 2 years. 

VIII. Maria, bap. 1811. 
IX. Luther, bap. 1815. 



Emery Rice, b. Jan. 1, 1803, md. Nov. 26, 1827, 
Laura O. Fairbanks, eldest dau. of Jacob Fairbanks, q. v. 
They resided in this town until about 1855, when they 
removed to Lebanon, N. H., where he d. P^eb. 22, 1873. 
While a resident of this town he was a popular officer of 
the Ashburnham Light Infantry. 



Emery Ezekiel, b. Aug. 19, 1828. 
George Horatio, b. Feb. 18, 1830. 
Jjucius Edioin, b. May 2, 1832. 
Laura Ann, b. Oct. 'l4, 1834; d. May 28, 1838. 
Waldo, b. Oct. 8, 1837 ; d. May 14, 1838. 
Marion Ardelia, b. April 13, 1839. 
Laura Ann, b. March 7, 1842. 



75 


I. 


76 


II. 


77 


III. 


78 


IV. 


79 


V. 


80 


VI. 


81 


VII. 



John Rich, by tradition a German, was a man of 
influence, and while he remained in this town he was 
prominent in public affairs. He was one of the first 
board of selectmen chosen in Ashburnham and was often 
elected to other positions. He resided in the northeast 
part of the town, and in 1766, he was a leading spirit in 
an effort to secure the incorporation of Ashby. The 
general measure was successful, but the boundary as 
established left him in this town. About 1776 he removed 
to Haverhill, N. H. The name of his wife was 
Catherine. 

I. Mary, b. Dec. 28, 1754. 

II. Elizabeth, b. Feb. 28, 1756 ; md. Samuel Stone,. 
q. V. 

III. John, b Dec. 23, 1760. 

IV. Henry, b. June 27, 1764. 

V. Daniel, h. Dec. 19, 1766. 
VI. Jacob, b. March 13, 1770. 

VII. Abraham, b. Dec. 22, 1772. 
VIII. Catherine, bap. April 10, 1774. 
An infant, perhaps Abraham, d. May 17, 1773. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



871 



2 
3 
4 
5 

6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 



10 
11 

12 



Jonas Richardson, from Shrewsbury, in 1781 settled 
in the southwest part of the town. Four years later he 
was included in the town of Gardner. He. md. Mary 
Bailev ; rad. (2d) about 1798, L}dia Woodbury. He d. 
1815," aged 72. 

I. Aziibah, b. Sept. 5, 1772; md. Benjamin Peirce. 
II. Abel, b. Feb. 26, 1774; md. Sarah Lincoln. 

III. Mary, b. July 27, 1775 ; md. Benjamin Hill. 

IV. Elizabeth, b. July 12, 1777 ; md. Jonathan Currier ; 

resided in Gardner and Methuen. 

V. Persis, b. Oct. 31, 1778. 

VI. Catherine, b. Feb. 11, 1780. 

VII. Jonas, b. March 12, 1782 ; md Abigail Currier. 

VIII. Asa, b. Feb. 6, 1784; md. Elizabeth Glazier. 

IX. Nathan, b. July 26, 1785; md. Sophia Boutelle. 

X. Levi, b. April 4, 1801 ; md. Lovisa Pratt. 



Jonas Robbins, then of Westminster, md. Nov. 26, 
1801, Eunice Metcalf, dau. of Joseph Metcalf, q. v. In 
1807 he removed to this town and occupied a small farm 
in the ninth school district. He manufactured and sold 
wooden noggins as they were called, and unlike the 
noggin of England, tlie capacity was more than a gill. 
In 1834 the family removed to Townsend. Three children 
b. in Westminster and four in this town. 

I. Eunice, b. ; nid. Amos Rice, q. v. 

II. Jonas, b. . 

III. Hannah, b. . 

IV. Betsey H., b. May 11, 1808. 

V. Asa, b. March 29, 1810 ; resided in Groton. 
VI. Nathan, b. May 25. 1812, 
VII. Lucy, b. April 30, 1822. 



Jeremiah Robbins, of Sudbury, md. Eunice (Dudley) 
Baker, widow of Amos Baker, and removed to this town 
about 1820. She d. Sept. 9, 1830; he md. (2d) Oct. 2, 
1831, Ruth (Winter) Bronghton, widow of William 
Broughton, q. v. Subsequently he was insane and d. in 
Sudbury. 

I. Rebecca, b. May 17, 1820. 
II. Sarah, b. March 16, 1822; resides unmd. in 

Manchester, N. H. 
III. Ruth, b. July 21, 1824. 



ROCKWOOD. 

Richard Rockwood, probably from Weymouth, Dorsetshire, England, 
was a planter in Dorchester 1(;8G. He md. Agnes Bicknell, widow of 



872 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



Zachary Bicknell. She d. in Braintree July 9, 104^3. He md. (id) Ann 

', who d. 16(54. He d. 1660. There is record of two sons. Of these, 

Nicholas first located in Braintree and later was an early inhabitant and 
proprietor of Medfield. He was admitted freeman May 23, 1666. He md. 
J;tne Adams, who d. Dec. 1.5, 1654; he md. (2d) July 16, 1656, Margaret 

Holbrook, who d. April 23, 1670; md. (3d) Silence , who d. Nov. 9, 

1677. He d. Jan. 26, 1680. 

Dea. Nathaniel Rockwood, son of Nicholas and Margaret (Holbrook) 
Rockwood, b. in Medfield Dec. 23, 1665, lived in Wrentham. He was 
there a deacon and a prominent citizen. He md. Dec. 7, 1698, Joanna 
Ellis, b.. Jan. 17, 1677, dau. of Thomas and Mary (Wight) Ellis of Medfield. 
He d. Sept. 24, 1721. Elisha Rockwood, youngest of the ten children of 
Dea. Nathaniel Rockwood, was b. June 11, 1716. He md. Aug. 18, 1738, 
Elizabeth Adams, b. Sept. 4, 1719, dau. of James and Abigail (Hill) Adams 
of Sherborn. He was a clothier and settled in Groton, where he d. Dec. 5, 
17^8; his widow d. May 16, 1799. The fourth of their thirteen children was 
Joseph Rockwood, b. in Groton June 13, 1744. He md. Jan. 30, 1766, Sarah 
Richardson. He was a farmer in Groton, where he d. 1816. 

Joseph Rockwood, eldest child of Joseph and Sarah (Richardson) Rock- 
wood, was b. in Groton Dec. 17, 1766. He md. Oct. 25, 1789, Lucy Fletcher, 
b. Feb. 12, 1771, dau. of Capt. Pelatiah and Dorothy (Hildreth) Fletcher of 
Wi'stford, and a sister of Pelatiah Fletcher of Ashburnham. He d. Oct. 2, 
1806, leaving seven children. Among these was George Rockwood of 
Ashburnham. 



George Rockwood, sod of Joseph, Jr., and Sarah 
(Fletcher) Rockwood, was b. in Groton Dec. 13, 1797. 
He md. May 1, 1823, Anna B. Stickney. b. in Townsend 
May 7. 1803, dau. of Joseph and Abigail (Jewett) Stick- 
ney. They removed to Ashburnham 1832. He was a 
merchant and a manufacturer of tubs and pails, and for 
many years he occupied a prominent position among the 
businessmen of Ashburnham. Mr. Rockwood was a man 
of superior ability, a good citizen and an active and tena- 
cious supporter of the reforms of his time. He was a 
liberal contributor to the First Parish and for many years 
one of the most active and loyal members of the Society. 
In his business he was laborious, exact and honest and in 
his daily life he was kind to his associates and responsive 
to every demand of duty. He d. Dec. 20, 1864 ; his 
widow d. Jan. 1, 1870. 

I. George G., b. Nov. 21, 1826.-f 

II. Charles F., b. Aug. 10, 1829.-1- 

m. Henry, b. March 4, 1832 ; md. Feb. 23, 1856, 
Laura A. Clifford, b. Jan. 15, 1835,. dau. of 
Joseph and Clarissa Clifford of Gilmanton, 
N. H. Resides at South Weymouth. Three of 
their live children are living. 

IV. S. Augustus, b. Sept. 21, 1837; md. Lois E. 
Stickney, b. Feb. 7, 1845, dau. of Alvah and 
Rebecca W. (Spaulding) Stickney of Townsend. 
He was orderly sergeant Co. F, 25th Massa- 



(2) 



9 
10 



11 
12 
13 



(3) 



14 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 873 

chusetts Regiment. Near the close of three 
years' service he lost his right arm. Subse- 
quently he was a teacher in Comer's Commercial 
College and a merchant at South Weymouth. 
He d. in Ashburnham Sept. 21, 1873. 
V. Abbie J., b. Dec. 20, 1839 ; md. May 19, 1864, 
Lieut. Charles H. Parker, b. in Providence, 
R. I., March 22, 1839, son of Ira and Maria D. 
(Haskell) Parker. F/cZe page 445. They reside 
in Cambridge. 

VI. A. Theresa, b. June 21, 1842; md. Charles T. 
Litch, q. V. 

VII. Joseph Albert, b. Aug. 15, 1846; md. May 1, 
1870, Lura M. Davis, dan. of Joel Davis of 
Fitchburg. He d. Oct. 26, 1871 ; she d. Jan. 
12, 1877. One child. 



George G. Rockvtood for many years has been town 
treasurer and has frequently been elected to other posi- 
tions of trust. He is engaged in the manufacture of tubs 
and pails, and has successfully conducted the business over 
twenty years. He md. May 11, 1848, Sarah J. Adams, 
dau. of Walter Russell Adams, q. v. They reside on 
Main street in Central Village. 

I. Herbert A., b. June 18, 1850; d. Sept. 21, 1851. 
II. Herbert F., b. Sept. 5, 1853; md. Jan. 4, 1883, 
Ellen Louisa Converse, b. in Winchendon Aug. 
27, 1862, dau. of George W. and Ellen (Knapp) 
Converse. He is a commercial agent with May, 
Nash & Winslow, Boston. 

III. Willis H., b. June 26, 1856 ; d. Aug. 11, 1857. 

IV. Ellen A., b. Oct. 27, 1858 ; d. Nov. 18, 1862. 

V. George TF., b. May 30, 1864 ; he is a book-keeper 
in the office of his father. 



Charles F. Rockwood resided in this town until 1875, 
and was a clerk and accountant with the Winchesters. 
He was often chosen to office and was selectman, asses- 
sor and school committee several j'ears. He resides in 
Fitchburg and is Register of Deeds of the Worcester 
Northern District. He md. April 13, 1854, Martha A. 
Baker, eldest dau. of Jesse and Sophia Baker of Lunen- 
burg. Five children were b. in this town. 

I. Frank P., b. June 29, 1856 ; md. June, 1886, 
Clara B. Townsend ; resides in Fitchburg. 



874 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



15 

16 

17 
18 



II. Emma B., b, Aug. 20, 1858; md. Charles H. 

Whitney, q. v. 
m. ITary S., b. March 5, 1862; md. Sept. 29, 1885, 

Albert L. Pratt ; reside in Fitchburg. 
IV. Fred C, b. Feb. 23, 1866. 
V. Charles A., b. July 13, 1870. 

Simon Rodamel, with wife Elizabeth and two children, 
came with the German colony and settled on Lexington 
grant in 1758. He was admitted to the church on letter 
of recommendation from a church in Germany. He was 
a man of good character, yet retaining his national char- 
acteristics he mingled less with the people and was more 
reserved in his manner than his German associates. The 
name appears in the record in several forms, but later it 
has generally been written Rodimon and sometimes 
Dimon. He'd. Oct. 23, 1813, aged 93 ; his wife d. July 
10, 1794. 

I. Mary, b. Nov. 5, 1752 ; md. Jan. 3, 1783, Henry 

Stevens of Claremont, N. H. 
II. Adam, b. March 19, 1754 ; a Revolutionary soldier. 
Vide Chapter V. He resided in this town until 
near the close of the century. 

III. Elizabeth, b. Aug. 23, 1758 ; md. Nicholas White- 

man, q. V. 

IV. Jacob, b. June 3, 1760 ; served two enlistments in 

the Revolution. At the close of the war he re- 
moved to Claremont, N. H. 
V. Simon, b. June 30, 1763 ; was in Capt. Edgell's 
company 1778 and was a six months' recruit 
1780. He lived in this town several years when 
he removed to Piermont, N. H. Ezra C. Rodi- 
mon, who has resided in this town several years, 
is a grandson. 
VI. Peter, b. Dec. 17, 1765. He was less than live 
feet in stature, but followed the example of his 
brothers and joined the army, enlisting in 1781 
for three years. After the war he was in this 
town several years and removed, says tradition, 
" to the lower towns." 
VII. Catherine, bap. 1770. 



RUSSELL. 

If not among the earlier settlers of Ashburnham, the Russell families have 
been numerous. They are closely allied and are descendants of Joseph 
Russell, b. Aug. 25, 1703. The emigrant ancestor was William Russell, b. 
in England 1570. With wife Martha and son Joseph he came to Cambridge 
about 1640. He was a millwright and carpenter. He. d., leaving ten 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTEK. 



876 



children, Feb. 14, IGGL Joseph Russell, his son, b. in England 1636, md. 
June 23, 1662, Mary Belcher, dau. of Jeremiah Belcher of Ipswich. He 
was a carpenter and resided in Menotomy, where he d. 1G94; his wife d. 
June 24, 1691. Of their ten children Walter Russell, b. April 30, 1676, md. 
May 17, 1699, Mary Patten, b. July 24, 1679, dau. of Nathaniel and Sarah 
(Cooper) Patten; she d. leaving a son Joseph, and he md. (2d) April 3, 1706, 
Elizabeth Winship, b. June 1, 1686, dau. of Edward and Rebecca (Barsham) 
Winship by whom he had ten children. He d. in Menotomy March 30, 
1748; his widow d. April 14, 1750. 

Joseph Russell, b. Aug. 25, 1703, son of Walter and Mary (Patten) Russell, 
md. Oct. 9, 1724, Mary Robbins, bap. July 27, 1701, dau. of Nathaniel and 
Hannah Robbins. He was a school-teacher and later a farmer, and resided 
on the main road to Menotomy. In 1736 he removed to the west part of 
Charlestown, now Somerville. He d. Nov. 13, 1776; his widow d. Dec. 28, 
1781. On the farm where he d. Gov. Isaac Hill and also his mother were 
born. Of the children of Joseph and Hannah (Robbins) Russell the 
descendants of Walter and Philemon have resided in Ashburnham. 

Walter Russell, b. Jan. 24, 1737, md. Dec. 14, 1758, Mary Wyman, b. 
March 9, 1757, dau. of David Wyman of Woburn; she d., s. p., Dec. 
1, 1760; he.md. (2d) Dec. 17, 1761, Hannah Adams, b. April 13, 1743, a 
dau. of Capt. Thomas and a sister of John Adams, the centenarian. He d. 
at Menotomy, on the Charlestown side of the river. May 5, 1782. His widow 
md. (2d) Enos Jones, q. v. Of their children Hannah Russell, b. Feb. 8, 
1772, md. Isaac Hill and removed to Ashburnham. Thomas, b. June 9, 1767, 
removed to Ashburnham and is No. 1 in the following register. 

Philemon Russell, b. Aug. 1, 1740, son of Joseph and Mary (Robbins) 
Russell, md. June 28, 1764, Elizabeth Wyman, b. March 6, 1740, dau. of 
David Wyman of Woburn. He d. in Menotomy May 31, 1797; his widow d. 
Oct. 22, 1825. This is the first instance of the name Philemon in the Ru-sell 
family ; the name occurred earlier in the Robbins family. Among the children 
of Philemon Russell was David Russell who is No. 25 in the register. 



Thomas Russell, b. June 9, 17G7, son of Walter and 
Hannah (Adams) Russell, md. Nov. 25, 1788, Margaret 
Adams, h. Nov. 12, 17(59, dau. of William and Sarah 
'(Hill) Adams. He came to Ashburnham in 1787 and 
settled on Russell hill, on the farm more recently owned by 
Ward Russell. Hed. Aug. 19, 1823 ; she d. Aug. 12, 1854. 

I. Peggy, b. April 19, 1789 ; md. Ebenezer Adams, 

q. V. ; md. (2d) Asa Woods, q. v. 
II. Thovias, b. Oct. 23, 1791.-|- 

III. James, b. Dec. 30, 1793; md. Nov. (i, 1825, 

Martha ^\. W. Locke, b. Jan. 19, 1803, dau. of 
Daniel and Mary Williams Locke of West Cam- 
bridge. He lived in West Cambridge, now 
Arlington, where he d. Nov. 2.S, 1859. 

IV. Walter, b. June 29, 1790.+ 

V. Sarah A., b. March 15, 1799; md. Ephraim 

Cutter ; md. (2d) Joseph Harris, q. v. 
VI. Susan A., b. Dec. 19, 1801 ; md. Dec. 3, 1818, 

Peter Tufts, b. Sept. 3, I7'.).s. 
VII. Charles, b. Sept 10, 1801 ; md. Nov. 4, 1829, Sarah 
Phillips, dau. of Samuel Phillips, q. v. ; she d. 
Jan. 31, 183X; md. (-id) l.s;'. 7, Harriet Farrar 



876 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



(3) 



<5) 



16 
17 



18 
19 

20 



of Fitcbburg, who d. .Ian. 21, 188.5. He was a 
carpenter in Fitehburg ; d. June 23, 186.5. 
VIII. Mary Adams, h. .Jan. 21, 1811 ; md. Oct. 17, 
1829, Ward Russell, sou of David Russell, q. v. 



Thomas Russell md. Nov. 28, 1816, Hepsibah Adams, 
dau. of Ebenezer Thomas Adams, q. v. He was a farmer 
on the Isaac Hill farm and also eugaged in the morocco 
business. He d. May 7, 18.'>8. 

Hepsey Adams, b. Oct. 17, 1817 ; md. John 

Goodale ; reside in Cambridge. 
Emily Maria, b. Sept. 20, 1819 ; md. Alonzo P. 

Davis, q. V. 
Sarah Eliza, b. March 2,5, 1822 ; md. Abel S. 

Wood, b. July 17, 181.5, son of Aaron Wood of 

Gardner; she d. Nov. 8, 1849. 
Lydia Loenza, b. Sept. 8, 1828 ; d. June 27, 1848. 
Mary Jane, b. June 21, 1831 ; d. July 20, 1831. 
Marcus Thomas, b. Sept. 29, 1833 ; md. Dec. 29, 

1859, Clara Gee, b. Dec. 7, 1835, dau. of 

Stephen and INIarinda Gee. He is a farmer on 

the Ariel Cummings farm. 



10 


I 


11 


11 


12 


III 


13 


IV 


14 


V 


15 


VI 



Walter Russell in youth was an apprentice to Gov. 
Isaac Hill ; returning to Ashburuham he was a farmer on 
Russell hill, and was successfully engaged in the morocco 
business. He md. July 4, 1820, Aloua Lawrence, dau. of 
Moses Lawrence, q. v. She d. Oct. 15, 1844; he md. 
(2d) May 1, 1845, Rebecca (Green) Shattuck, dau. of 
Solomon Green, q. v. ; he d. May 5, 1856 ; she md. (3d) 
Hosea Green, q. v. 

I. Jane Alona, b. June 10, 1821 ; md. Thomas R. 
Adams, sou of Ebenezer Adams, q. v. 

II. Franklin, b. Oct. 12, 1822; md. 1845, Sarah G. 
Jefts, she d. Oct. 8, 1860; md. (2d) Nov. 12, 
1861, Mary Brown, dau. of Jacob Brown of 
Walpole, N. H. He is a morocco dresser ; was 
formerl}' engaged in ])usiness in this town, 
where he was a proiniuent citizen. He is now 
engaged in business in Norwood. 

HI. Sarah Ann, b. July 29, 1824 ; uid. Samuel V. 
Whitney, q. v. 

IV. Dexter, b. Oct. 22, 1826 ; md. Augusta E. Sawtell, 
dau. of Asa Sawtell. He d. July 8, 1861. 
She resides in Minneapolis, Minn. 
V. Emma, b. Dec. 3, 1«29 ; d. unmd. Nov. 27, 1851. 



21 

22 
23 



24 



25 



26 
27 
28 
29 
30 



31 



(26) 



32 
33 

(28) 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 377 

VI. Harriet Lucretia^ b. April 3, IS.').) ; md. Leonard 
W. Sawtell, q. v. 

VII. Malvina., b. . 

VIII. Charles, b. 1844; d. Aug. 21, 1840. 



David Russell, b. 1767, son of Philemon and Eliza- 
betli (Wyman) Russell, was a first cousin of the elder 
Thomas Russell of Ashburnham. He md. Aug. 11, 1793, 
Lydia Green, b. Sept. 16, 1768, dau. of Benjamin and 
Martha (Brown) Green of Watertown. He resided in 
Watertown several j^ears, and removed to this town in 
1798. He lived where Edwin Hay ward now resides and 
was a farmer and an innholder. Subsequently he 
removed to Russell hill. He d. Nov. 19, 1847 ; his 
wife d. Jan. 6, 1841. 

I. Benjamin Green, b. March 11, 1794; md. Eliza- 
beth Greenleaf; md. (2d) Eliza Batchelder, 
lived in Boston. He d. in this town April 12, 
1833. 
II. David Wyman, b. Sept. 13, 1795.4- 

III. Lydia, b. May 7, 1797 ; d. April 24, 1815. 

IV. Philemon, b. Feb. 20, 1799.+ 
V. Ward, b. May 5, 1801.-|- 

VI. Elizabeth, b. Nov. 30, 1802 ; md. Dec. 29, 1825, 
Richard W. Houghton, b. in Ashby Jan. 19, 
1802, son of Elijah and Sarah Houghton. They 
resided in Lane Village, where he d. Sept. 22, 
1846 ; she md. (2d) Jonas Lawrence, q. v. 
VII. Henry, b. Aug. 6, 1806 ; md. Calista Kidder ; 
removed to Oregon. 



David W. Russell md. 1826, Mary Cummings of 
New Ipswich; she d. July 4, 1859; he md. (2d) Nov. 
25, 1860, Eunice (Winship) Robbins of Mason, N. H. 
He was a farmer on the homestead. He d. July 20, 
1864 ; she resides in this town. 

I. David Wyman, b. March 17, 1827; resides in 

Oregon. 
II. Mary, b. April 9, 1831 ; resides in Oregon. 



Philemon Russell was a farmer, owning the southern 
half of the homestead. He md. Oct. 20, 1835, Clarissa 
Smith of Mason, N. H., b. Oct. 31, 1805 ; he d. May 28, 
1876. 



878 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



34 
35 



(29) 



36 



37 



38 



39 

40 
41 



Abbie SmitJi, b. Oct. 10, 1837; rad. May 1, 1865, 

Rev. Francis J. Fairbanks, q. v. Five children. 
George Philemon, h. Jan. 20, 1840 ; rad. March, 

1868, Carrie Ladd of Rutland, Vt., who d. Sept. 

27, 1868; rad. (2d) Nov. 26, 1873, Addie L. 

Hannum of Rutland, Vt. 



Ward Russell md. Nov 11, 1829, Mary A. Russell, 
dau. of Thomas Russell, Sen., q. v. In 1834 he built 
the house on Russell hill in which he subsequently lived ; 
his farm was the original Russell farm to which he joined 
by purchase the farm formerly owned by Ethan Wether- 
bee and Isaac Hill. He d. Oct. 21, 1878. 

I. Levi Ward, b. Feb. 15, 1831, resides in Provi- 
dence and is principal of the Bridgman School. 
Vide page 515. He md. Nov. 26, 1856, DoUie 
A. Merriam, dau. of James Merriam, q. v. ; she 

d. ; he md. (2d) Nov. 20, 1859, Nellie M. 

Danforth. Three children. 
II. Margaret A., b. Sept. 20, 1841 ; md. Nov. 24, 
1859, Levi S. Burbank of Lancaster, b. May 10, 
1828. Seven children. They reside in Waverly. 



Moses Russell, lineage not traced, was in Ashburn- 
ham soon after 1772. His name appears on the roll of 
Capt. Gates' company 1775. His name is found in the 
records occasionally in incidental mention until 1781. 
He moved away soon after that date. The name of his 
wife was Hannah. 

I. Sarah Phelps, bap. July 23, 1775; d. Feb. 8, 

1776, " burned to death, aged 8 months." 
II. Sarah Phelps, bap. Aug. 24, 1777. 
III. Lucy, bap. Feb. 27, 1780. 



SALTER. 

The name of Salter disappeared from the records many years ago. Among 
the descendants of a daughter there are representatives of the family in this 
town at the present time. The tirst of the name in Ashburnham was proba- 
bly the Samuel Salter who was b. in Charlestown Aug. 22, 1730. He was 
the son of Thomas, b. 1695, and Mary Salter, grandson of John, b. 1655-G, and 
Mary (Adams) Salter and great-grandson of Henry and Hannah Salter, all of 
Charlestown. Samuel Salter of Ashburnham, if this conjecture is sustained, 
was of the fourth generation of his family in this country. 



Samuel Salter md. in Stow Oct. 15, 1753, Sarah 
Knight and lived in Stow until 1765, when he removed to 
this town and settled where his great-grandson, Warren 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



879 



3 
4 

5 
6 

7 

8 

9 

10 



Marble, now resides. This farm has remained continu- 
ously in the possession of his descendants. He d. July 
18, 1800, " aged," says Mr. Gushing, "72." If he was 
b. 1730 his age would have been 70. His widow d. Sept. 
11, 1807. Five children b. in Stow, four in Ashburnham. 

I. Samuel^ b. Julj' 4, 1754. His name appears on 
the roll of Capt. Gates' company and Capt. 
Wilder's company. He md. July 14, 1778, 
Catherine Kiblinger, dan. of John Kiblinger, 
q. V. 

II. Saroh, b. Aug. 4, 1757. 

III. Hannah^ b. Aug. 5, 1759 ; md. Nov. 28, 1785, 

Jonathan Gates of Stow. 

IV. Mary, b. Jan. 1, 1762 ; md. Jabez Marble, q. v. 
v. Mercy, b. Feb. 12, 1764; md. Jonas Benjamin, 

son of William Benjamin, q. v. 
VI. Lydia, b. April 24, 1766. 

vii. Thomas, bap. June 11, 1769 ; d. Oct. 3, 1769. 
VIII. Lois, b. Aug. 6, 1770. 
IX. Phebe, b. March 6, 1772; md. Feb. 13, 1794, 
Deliverance Wheeler, Jr. 



SAMSON. 

Abraham Sampson, b. in England, came to America in 1629 or 1630. 
He settled at Duxbury and in 1643 his name appears on a roll of men, 
between 16 and 60 years, able to bear arms. In 1645 he was one of fifty-four 
grantees of Bridgewater and in 1654 he was admitted freeman. He was 
several times elected to otflce in Duxbury, but on account of a hiatus in the 
records only an imperfect record of his career has been preserved. He md. 
a daughter of Lieut. Samuel Nash of Duxbury and had four sons and perhaps 
other children. His son Isaac Sampson, b. 1660, md. Lydia Standish, dau. 
of Alexander and granddau. of Miles Standisb. He lived in Plympton, 
where he d. Sept. 3, 1726, leaving nine children. Peleg Sampson, the fifth 
son, was b. Nov. 17, 1700. He md. Mary King and lived in Pembroke, 
Kingston, Plympton and Middleboro'. He was a member of John Winslow's 
company in an expedition under Admiral Vernon against the West Indies, 
and died of disease April 27, 1741. Among the seven children of Peleg 
Sampson was Jonathan of Ashburnham. At this time the name was first 
written Samson and this orthography has been continued by the Ashburnham 
families. 



Jonathan Samson was b. in Middleboro' Oct. 25, 
1733. He resided a short time in Harvard where he md. 
1758, Mary Oakes. He removed to Ashburnham 1762 
and settled on the Merrick Whitney farm. He was one 
of the proprietors of Dorchester Canada and for many 
years he was treasurer of the propriety. At the first town 
meeting, 1765, he was chosen a surveyor of the highways. 
Subsequently he was a selectman and for many j-ears a 
prominent and influential citizen. In 1776 he was one of 



880 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



2 
3 

4 

5 

6 

7 
8 
9 

10 



11 
12 

13 
14 



(2) 



15 



the committee of correspondence, and through the active 
years of his life he was frequently chosen to positions in 
town affairs. His wife d. Sept. 13, 1794; he md. (2d) 
Aug. 2, 1796, Sarah Osborn, a widow, and about 1802 
removed to near Keene, N. H., perhaps Swanzey, and d. 
about 1820. 

I. Jonathan^ b. May 7, 1759.-}- 

II. Mary, b. May 4, 1761; md. Moses Tottingham, 
q. V. 

III. Abraham, b. May 22, 1763; md. Sally Adams. 

IV. Lydia, b. Aug. 1, 1764; md. Edward Whitmore, 

q. V. 
V. Oliver, b. Sept. 22, 1766.-|- 
VI. Ephraim, b. June 9, 1769.-f- 
VII. Moses, b. March 26, 1771 ; d. unmd. 
VIII. Relief, b. Feb. 8, 1773; md. John Winch of 
Princeton. 
IX. Lucy, b. May 12, 1775 ; md. Feb. 25, 1798, Levi 
Bigelow, then of Mount Holly, Vt. ; removed to 
State of New York. 
X. John, b. July 10, 1777; d. unmd. 

XI. Rebecca Barnard, b. May 30, 1780; md. 

Rand. 
XII. Solomon, b. Jan. 26, 1783 ; lived in Vermont. 
XIII. Betsey, b. April 19, 1785 ; d. unmd. 



Jonathan Samson, eldest son of Jonathan, was b. in 
Harvard. While an infant the family removed to this 
town. He md. Feb. 21, 1782, Susanna Rice, b. March 
22, 1759, dau. of Zebulon Rice of Boylston, and a sister 
of Jonas and Reuben Rice of Ashburnham.- Soon after 
his marriage he removed to Boylston, but returned to 
this town 1801, and lived on the old homestead. He d. 
Dec. 9, 1846 ; his widow d. July 30, 1850. 

It is this Jonathan Samson whose prolonged service in 
the Revolution appears in Chapters V and VI. Vide page 
186. He was deservedly a Revolutionary pensioner. 
The children were not b. in this town and a record is not 
found in Boylston. It is probable the order of age is not 
preserved in the following record. 

I. Mary, b. July 24, 1783 ; md. Sept. 15, 1805, 
Ebenezer Clark, b. at Braintree June 8, 1779. 
They resided in this town a few years and sub- 
sequently lived in Brookline and Townsend. 
He d. Sept. 11, 1850; she d. Sept. 2, 1856. 
Several children. 



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17 

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20 



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22 

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23 

24 

25 



26 

27 



28 
29 
30 

31 



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33 
34 
35 

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GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 881 

II. Dolly, b. March 22, 1785 ; nid. Henry Gipson, q. v. 

III. Jonathan, b. Dec. 20, 1786. -j- 

IV. Margaret, b. Feb. 17, 1789 ; md. John Trimnall, 

q. V. 

V. , b. ; md. Priest ; lived in Canada. 

VI. Sally, b. ; md. April 12, 1821, Enoch L. 

Barrett of Mason, N. H., and removed to 
Michigan. 
VII. Abraham, b. April 29, 1795. -|- 
VIII. Isaac, b. 1800.-}- 



Oliver Samson md. 1789, Abigail Sawin, b. 1769, 
dau. of Jonathan and Mary (Whitney) Sawin of 
Westminster, and a sister of Asa Sawin of Ashburnham. 
He lived in Ashburnham and was prominently connected 
with the Methodist Society. He d. Jan. 15, 1835 ; his 
wife d. Feb. 19, 1843. 

I. JSTancy, b. Aug. 22, 1790; d. Aug. 24, 1795. 
II. Abigail, h. Aug. 15,1792; md. 1817, Iddo Kil- 

burn and lived in Hartland, Vt. 
in. Oliver, b. April 16, 1795 ; md. 1822, Susan Ben- 
nett ;' lived in Westminster. His son, Otis M. 
Samson, is named in Buttrick register. 
IV. Nancy, b. May 2, 1797; md. March 23, 1815, 

Luther Barrell of Westminster. 
V. Amos, b. Feb. 16, 1800 ; md. 1821, Sarah Houghton 
of Winchendon. She d. Oct. 17, 1825 ; he 
removed to Cayuga count}', N. Y. 

VI. Infant, b. ; d. 1803. 

VII. Mary, b. Oct. 16, 1804 ; d. Oct. 25, 1805. 
VIII. Almira, b. Oct. 30, 1806 ; md. Antipas Maynard, 
q. V. 
IX. Stephen, b. Aug. 9, 1809 ; md. 1834, Sally Hale; 
resided in Ashburnham and in Winchendon. 



Ephkaim Samson, son of Jonathan, md. Olive Gates 
and resided in the northeast part of the town until about 
1802. 

I. Betty, b. Dec. 4, 1794. 
II. Ephraim, b. May 29, 1797. 

III. Jeremiah, b. Feb. 21, 1799. 

IV. Levi, b. Oct. 20, 1800. 

Jonathan Samson, son of Jonathan, Jr., was b. in 
Boylston Dec. 20, 1786. He md. May 15, 1814, Betsey 
Gibbs, dau. of Joseph Gibbs, q. v. He was an innholder 

56 



882 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



in Rindge and at Factor}^ Village a few ^-ears, and in 
1830 he removed to the Joseph Gibbs farm now occupied 
by his son George G. Samson. He. d. Dec. 2, 1869. 
His widow d. July 18, 1870. 

Leander, b. Jan. 25, 1815.-}- 

Jonathan Horace, b. Oct. 23, 1816.-|- 

Elizabeth Laws, b. Nov. 2, 1818 ; md. Jason 

Whitney, sou of Ohio Whitney, q. v. 
George Gibbs, b. Sept. 26, 1820. -(- 
Charles, h. Nov. 26, 1826 ; d. Dec. 1, 1836. 
VI. Ma7'y Barrett, b. Dee. 5, 1832 ; md. Luther B. 

Adams, son of James Adams, q. v. 



36 


I. 


37 


II. 


38 


III. 


39 


IV. 


40 


V. 


41 


VI. 



(21) Abraham Samson, son of Jonathan, Jr., md. 1816, 
Oldice Thomas, b. in Rindge Jan. 17, 1800, dau. of 
Francis, Jr., and Elizabeth (Gragg) Thomas. They 
resided in Canada and in the State of New York. He d. 
May 16, 1842; she d. Jan. 10, 1867. Eleven children. 



42 
43 



44 

45 

46 
47 

48 



49 
60 

51 



52 



(22) 



I. Oldice, b. July, 1817 ; d. same year. 

II. George T.,h. April 9, 1819; md. 1845, Olive 

(Edson) Tweel, who d. Aug 16, 1873 ; md. (2d) 

March 31, 1875, Ellen R. (Frost) Shattuck, dau. 

of Ebenezer Frost, q. v. He d. Oct. 21, 1879. 

III. Jidia Ann, b. Jan. 27, 1821 ; md. John Johns ; 

lived in Ohio ; d. July 9, 1846. 

IV. Augustus A., b. Sept. 28, 1822 ; md. 1846, Frances 

M. Partridge ; d. in Medway about 1850. 
V. Charles Phillips, b. June 20, 1824 ; d. young. 
VI. Henry K., b. Aug. 7, 1826 ; served in Co. I, 25th 
Regiment ; md. Oct. 9, 1850, Amanda Lawrence 
of Malone, N. Y. He d. 1874. 
VII. Adaline C, b. Aug. 23, 1828; md. 1826, George 
P. Bennett, son of Asa Bennett, q. v. ; she d. 
1885. 
VIII. Oldice Elizabeth, b. Sept. 5, 1830. 
IX. Euphenia, b. July 28, 1832 ; md. June 4, 1848, 

John Roby ; reside in Lvnn. 
X. Sarah F., b. May 6, 1838"; md. March 26, 1857, 
John A. Spaulding, son of Alfred and Betsey 
(Lawrence) Spaulding of Ashby. They resided 
in this town where he d. Jan. 29, 1887. 
XI. Susan Augusta, b. Feb. 8, 1840 ; d. Sept. 1, 1859. 



Isaac Samson, brother of Abraham, md. 1823, 
Melinda Barrett of Mason, N. H. He lived several years 
in Canada, but returned to this town where he d. 1855. 



53 
54 
55 
56 
57 



58 

(36) 

59 
60 

61 

62 
(37) 

63 

64 
65 

66 

67 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 883 

I. Susan. 
II. Sarah. 

III. Arathusa. 

IV. Mary J. 

V. Isaac A., b. Jan. 29, 1831 ; md. 1860, Sarah L. 

Brown. She d. Feb. 9, 1862 ; md. (2d) April 
25, 1864, Mary A. Bennett, dau. of Isaac 
Bennett of Groton. In 1886 he removed from 
this town to Harvard. 

VI. Charles B., b. 1837 ; md. Mary Hey wood of New 

Ipswich ; resides at Topeka, Kansas. 



Leander Samson is a farmer and owns and occupies the 
Jacob Fairbanks farm. He md. Oct. 27, 1838, Roana 
Newton; md. (2d) Oct. 22, 1875, Anna Chapman. 

I. Ja7ie E., b. Sept. 30, 1839; md. John Milton 

Partridge of AVinchendon. 
II. Charles, b. Jan. 9, 1844; served in the war of 
the Rebellion in Co. D, 30th Regiment; d. at 
Baton Rouge, La., Aug. 11, 1862. 

III. Albert, b. July 11, 1847; was in the service in 

United States Marine Corps 1861-5. At the 
close of the war removed to Albany, N. Y., and 
is a railroad conductor. He md. July 10, 1873, 
Josie Carlton, dau. of Joseph Carlton. 

IV. Ella Maria, b. Jan. 3, 1851 ; md. Hubert C. Bart- 

lett ; they reside in Fitchburg. 



Jonathan Horace Samson, son of Jonathan Samson, 

Jr., resides in Worcester. He was principal musician 

and drum major 25th Massachusetts Regiment. He md. 
1842, Rachel G. Adams who d. Feb. 26, 1881. 

I. Agnes Elizabeth, b. June 23, 1843 ; md. Daniel G. 

Holbrook. 
II. Infant, b. and d. Jan. 11, 1845. 

III. Abbie Augusta, b. Oct. 6, 1846 ; md. J. Brainerd 

Hall. They reside at Worcester ; he is Court 
Reporter of the Worcester Gazette. To his 
researches I am indebted for generous favors. 

IV. Flora Amanda, b. March 13, 1848 ; d. Sept. 29, 

1850. 
V. Alfred Hitchcock, b. Aug. 8, 1850 ; md. Arabella 
Jones ; resides at Providence, R. I. 



884 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



(39) 



68 



69 
70 



71 



72 



73 



74 



George Gibbs Samson is a farmer on the farm formerly 
of his grandfather Joseph Gibbs, and of his father Jona- 
than Samson. He md. 1847, Anjenette Tavener. 

I. Mary Georgianna, b. June 20, 1848 ; md. Nov. 
li, 1873, Capt. Charles H. Pratt, son of Russell 
Pratt of Westminster. He is captain of Co. E, 
and one of the selectmen of Ashburnham. 

II. Elizabeth A., b. March 20, 1850. 

III. Floo-a A., b. Nov. 11, 1858; md. Dec. 13, 1884, 
Leonard Eisentrant : reside in Worcester. 



Aaron Sampson, lineage not traced ; resided in this 
town from 1765 to 1775. He md. Nov. 9, 1768, Delanah 
Schoffe, dau. of Jacob Schoffe, q. v. 



I. Infant, b. 



d. Aug. 2, 1771. 



David Sampson lived in this town a few years, com- 
mencing about 1775. He served in Capt. Henry's com- 
pany in Boston Harbor 1779. 



Benjamin Sampson was here a short time. He was in 
the service in 1778, but his name is not met after 1780. 



SANDERSON. 

Edward Sanderson md. in Watertown Oct. 15, 1645, Mary Eggleston, 
From this marriage were descended numerous families of Sanderson in 
Watertown, Waltham and Weston. Dea. Jonathan Sanderson, son of 
Edward, was b. Sept. 15, 164G, md. in Cambridge Oct. 24, 1669, Abia Bart- 
lett, b.' May 28, 1651, dau. of Ensign Thomas Bartlett. His children were 
b. in Cambridge but subsequently he lived in Watertown. He d. Sept. 3, 
1735 ; his wife d. Sept. 13, 1723. Samuel Sanderson, son of Dea. Jonathan, 
was b. May 28, 1681; md. April 13, 1708, Mercy Gale, b. Sept. 16, 1683, 
dau. of Abraham and Sarah (Fiske) Gale. He was killed by lightning July 
8, 1722; she d. May 8, 1776. Moses Sanderson, youngest son of Samuel 
and Mercy (Gale) Sanderson, was b. Feb. 22, 1721-2; md. Jan. 1, 1750-1, 
Mary Flagg, b. Feb. 2, 1728-9, dau. of John and Hannah (Bemis) Flagg. 
In 1766 they removed to Littleton where he d. Aug. 10, 1798; his wife d. 
Sept. 18, 1789. Their third child was Moses Sanderson of Ashburnham. 



MosES Sanderson was b. in Waltham Aug. 15, 1755, 
and bap. there July 18, 1756. At eleven years of age 
the family removed to Littleton, where he md. Mary 
Proctor, b. in Littleton Jan. 10, 1759. They resided in 
Littleton until 1789 when they removed to this town. He 
d. Jan. 29, 1831 ; she d. Nov. 3, 1842. 

I. Asa, b. March 5, 1778 ; d. May 5, 1778. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



885 



9 
10 
11 



II. Polly ^ b. Feb. 23, 1781 ; d. unmd. iu this town 
Sept. 17, 1805. 

III. Sally, b. Sept. 15, 1782 ; md. Philip R. Merriam, 

q. V. 

IV. Moses, b. Sept. 23, 1784; md. 1819, Mary Whit- 

comb ; he d. Oct. 23, 1841 ; she d. 1839. He 
was a farmer iu this town. 
V. Asa, b. April 29, 1787; d. unmd. in Salem Jan. 

25, 1836. 
VI. Rebecca, b. April 18, 1789 ; md. Elijah Brooks, q. v. 
VII. Simeon, h. Sept. 24, 1790; md. Sally Bigelow. 
Vide page 510. Resided in Westminster where 
he d. Dec. 3, 1841. 
VIII. Lydia, b. Sept. 30, 1793 ; md. Caleb Winchester, 
q. V. 
IX. Eli, b. Sept. 17, 1795; md. Miranda Thwing. 

• He d. in Brighton Sept. 28, 1839. 
X. Sophia, b. Oct. 8, 1800; md. John Peirce of 
Brookline, Mass. 



«AWIN. 

The name of Sawin first mingles in the annals of Ashburnham in 1796, 
when Asa Sawin removed to this town and settled at the southern base of 
Mount Hunger. He was a descendant in the sixth generation of Jolin 
Sawin, the emigrant ancestor, who was born in Boxford, county of Suffolk, 
England. He came to America between 1648 and 1650 and settled in Water- 
town, where he was admitted freeman May 26, 1652. He md. Abigail 
Munning, b. 1627, dau. of George Munning, who was the mother of his three 
Bons John, Munning and Thomas. Munning Sawin, b. April 4, 1655, became 
a prominent character in Watertown. He was an assessor, selectman, 
treasurer and town clerk, and for thirty years he was conspicuous in town 
affairs. He md. Dec. 18, 1681, Sarah Stone, dau. of Dea. John and Sarah 
Storte of Watertown. He d. Nov. 28, 1722. The third of the eleven 
children of Munning Sawin was John Sawin, b. Aug. 13, 1689; md. Dec. 11, 
1711, Elizabeth Cooiidge, dau. of Obadiah and Elizabeth (Rouse) Coolidge 
of Sudbury and Watertown. She was the mother of his children and there 
is a tradition that after her death he md. a second wife and resided in 
Mendon, and d. there 1767. He was a constable in Watertown 17P>4, and a 
selectman 1736. The eldest of his eight children was Stephen Sawin, b. 
Sept. 17, 1712; md. Jan. 5, 173.i-4, Abigail Fiske, b. Nov. 11, 1714, 
dau. of John and Mary (Whitney) Fiske of Waltham and Worcester. He 
was a farmer and shoemaker in Watertown until 1745, when he removed to 
Worcester, and in 1761 to Westminster, where he d 1795. She d. 1803. 
The extensive tract of land owned by Stephen Sawin was north of Wachusett 
mountain and southerly from Westminster pond. Jonathan Sawin, eldest 
son of Stephen Sawin, was b. in Watertown Jan. 2, 1734-5. He removed 
to Worcester, served in the French and Indian War, and with his father 
Temoved to Westminster in 1761. He md. Mary Whitney. 



1 



Asa Sawin, the first of the name in Ashburnham, a son 
of Jonathan and Mary (Whitney) Sawiu, was b. in 
Westminster, July 15, 1771. He was of the sixth genera- 
tion of his family in America. He md. March 6, 1796, 



886 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



Susannah Grimes, b. in Hubbardston May 23, 1772, 
eldest dau. of Joseph and Huldah (Wheelock) Grimes ; 
the same year he removed to this town, and settled at 
the southern base of Mount Hunger. In character he 
was blameless, and in his daily life he was industrious 
and frugal. He d. 1828 ; his widow d. May 31, 1843. 

I. Sicsan, b. Dec. 18, 1796 ; md. Joel Marble, q.v. 
II. Asenath, b. Jan. 9, 1799 ; md. Hosea Green, q. v, 

III. Asa, b. Oct. 4, 1801.+ 

IV. Sally, b. Oct. 29, 1804 ; md. Ebenezer Frost, q. v. 
V. Stephen, b. Dec. 19, 1807 ; md. Dec. 8, 1830, Eliza 

Newton of Westminster. 
VI. Huldah, b. Oct. 8, 1810 ; d. unmd. Feb. 2, 1834. 
VII. Abram, b. Sept. 28, 1813. + 

VIII. Marij, b. Aug. 15, 1819 ; unmd. ; resides in Ash- 
burnham. 



(4) 



10 

11 
12 
13 
14 
15 

16 



(8) 



Asa Sawin, Jr., md. Dec. 1, 1827, Charlotte Phillips, b. 

in Fitchburg, , dau. of Joshua and Phillips. 

For many years he was a farmer on the homestead. 
During the past ten years the aged parents have found a 
home with their children in Gardner. 

I. John, b. Nov. 13, 1828; md. June 20, 1.S.50, 

Susan Kidder. 
II. Lyman, b. Sept 20, 1830. 

III. Ahhie, b. Nov. 13, 1831 ; d. March 26, 1846. 

IV. Levi C, b. Aug. 11, 1838. 
v. Stephen, b. June 4, 1842. 

VI. 3Iary E., b. July 24, 1847; md. May, 1868, 

Henry C. Gushing. 
VII. Melpha B., b. July 17, 1849; md. James C. 

Nichols, son of John Nichols, q. v. 



17 

18 



Abram Sawin was a farmer in this town. In 1866 be 
sold the farm, now of Alden B. Marble, to his son-in-law 
Laban W. Wright, and removed to Gardner. He md. 
March 27, 1834, Loenza Pierce, b. in Westminster Nov. 
18, 1816, dau of Jonas and Adaline (Haynes) Pierce. 
She d. in Gardner May 19, 1882 ; he md. (2d) Sept. 2, 
1885, Mary R. Bigelow of Bolton. 

I. Susan Adaline, b. June 11, 1835; md. Laban W. 

Wright, q. v. 
II. Jonas P., b. July 23, 1842; md. Nov., 1865, 

Sarah S. Metcalf, dau. of Joel F. Metcalf, q. «. ; 

resides in Gardner. He is a foreman in the 

employ of Hey wood Bros. 



19 



10 

11 
12 

13 
14 



GENEALOGICAL KEGISTER. 887 

III. Alfred S., b. May 11, 1849; rad. Celia A. Bige- 
low ; md. (2d) Alice M. Baker. 

Asa Sawtell, whose lineage is traced iu History of 
Rindge, a son of Hezekiah and Sarah (Russell) Sawtell, 
was b. in Rindge March 18, 1789. He md. Nov. 8, 
1812, Anna B. Hastings, dau. of Capt. Charles Hastings, 
q. V. They resided in Rindge six years, in Mason, N. 
H., a few years, and about 1825 removed to this town. 
He d. March 25, 1856 ; she d. Oct. 29, 1879. 

I. Ezra Hastings, b. Dec. 11, 1813; md. Feb. 29, 
1836, Betsey Scripture, dau. of James and Lucy 
(Dakin) Scripture of Mason, N. H. She d. in 
Warwick, R. I., July 29, 1853 ; md. (2d) March 
26, 1856, Sultyua (Jones) Woods, widow of Asa 
Elbridge Woods, and dau. of Dea. Daniel Jones, 
q. V. They reside in Ayer, Mass. He has one 
child by his first wife. 

1. Mary E., b. Feb. 23, 1837. 

II. Seth P., b. April 1, 1816 ; d. July 30, 1818. 

III. Mary A. B., b. Sept. 18, 1818 ; md. Jonas Morse. 

She d. Oct. 18, 1873. 

IV. Sarah J., b. Oct. 3, 1820 ; d. May 24, 1821. 

V. Eliza J., b. May 11, 1822; md. Henry Stevens. 

They resided in Caledonia, Wis., where he d. 

1874. She resides in Racine, Wis. 
VI. Licq/ R., b. March 11, 1824 ; md. John BemiSj^.-y. 
VII. Sarah L., b. July 30, 1826; md. Lorenzo A. 

Fisher, and removed to New York cily. 
VIII. Leonard IF., b. June 30, 1829 ; md. 1853, Harriet 

L. Russell, dau. of Walter Russell ; she d. Aug. 

30, 1860; md. (2d) Maria Sawyer of New 

York city, where they reside. 
IX. Augusta E., b. Oct. 3, 1832; md. Dexter Russell, 

son of Walter Russell, q. v. 
X. Josia/t P., b. Aug. 22, 1835; md. Feb. 9. 1858, 

Mary C. Foster, dau. of Jerome W. Foster. 

Reside in New York city. 



Caleb Sawtell, b. in Springfield, Vt., 1793, md. 
1818, Lucy Stimson, dau. of Phinehas Stimson, q. v. 
They resided in Lansingburg, N. Y., until about 1824 and 
subsequently in this town. He d. Aug. 8, 1838. 

I. Mary E., b. Feb. 19, 1820; md. July 6, 1843, 
Aris Marcy ; reside in Brook field. 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



15 


II. 


16 


III. 


17 


IV. 


18 


V. 



19 

20 
21 







VI. 



Sarah L., b. June 15, 1822 ; mcl. William Lovejoy ; 

reside in Brighton. 
George E., b. Aug. 17, 1825 ; md. Nov. 27, 1852, 

Mary M. Kendall, dau. of Alvin Kendall, q. v. ; 

resides in Milford, N. H. 
Lucy JE., b. 1824; d. Aug. 10, 1832. 
Martha A., b. May 1, 1829 ; md. William Hall of 

Milford, N. H. ; resides at Gold Hill, Nevada. 
Harriet A., b. March 2, 1833 ; md. April 6, 1853, 

David Pearson of Milford, N. H. ; she d. in 

Boston May 26, 1877. 
FranUiii, b. May 12, 1835 ; md. Lucy A. Farwell ; 

resides in Brookfield. 
Charles H., b. ; d. in Milford, N. H. 



Edward Sawyer, b. in Fitchburg March 7, 1804, son 
of Jabez and Hannah (Brooks) Sawyer, md. Oct. 25, 
1827, Mary Lincoln, b. in Leominster March 16, 1802, 
dau. of Thomas and Abigail (Gibbs) Lincoln. He came 
to this town previous to his marriage and remained until 
his death. He was honest, sincere and pure in heart. 
He d March 7, 1884 ; his wife d. Aug. 20, 1872. 

I. AhUe M., b. June 8, 1830 ; d. March 2, 1838. 
II. Charles E., b. Dec. 15, 1832; md. 1856, 
Maria J. Petts, dau. of Dr. John Petts ; reside 
in Springfield, Ohio. 

III. Henry />., b. Feb. 23, 1840; md. Lucy Ann 

Fuller, b. in West Acton Feb. 26, 1838 ; resides 
in South Framingliam. 

IV. Mary Nichols, b. Aug. 26, 1842; graduate Mt. 

Holyoke Seminary, 1863 ; instructor Mt. Her- 
moD School, Gill. 
V. Laura M., b. Feb. 8, 1845. 

Abel Sawyer, b. in Westminster Aug. 4, 1798, son 
of Eli and Anna (Laws) Sawyer, md. July, 1821, Lucy 
Holt and removed to this town 1831. His wife d. Dec. 
29, 1842, aged 39 ; he md. (2d) May 27, 1845, Rhoda 
Weston, dau. of James Weston, q. v. She d. Dec. 23, 
1855 ; md. (3d) May 13, 1856, Ann Kenney of Fitch- 
burg ; she d. May 23, . He d. April 9, 1883. 

I. Lucy A., h. .lu\y 28, 1822; md. Dec. 12, 1843, 
Solomon E. Jaquith of Ashby ; she d. May 5, 
1870. 

II. Abigail D., b. June 13, 1828; md. Jerome S. 
Gibson, q. v. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 889 

in. Adaline il/., b. Aug. 15, 1830; md. Ezra M. 

Merritt, q. v. 
IV. Sarah J., b. March 2, 1833 ; md. 1852, Andrev?- 
J. Adams, sou of James Adams, q. v. 

V. Ivfant, b. : d. Oct. 3, 1834. 

VI. Harriet A., b. March 28, 1837; resides unmd. in 

this town. 
VII. James TF., b. Aug. 11, 1841 ; d. Aug. 29, 1851. 



Jacob Schoffe was the possessor of a name that was a 
stumbling block to the recorders of his time. Mr. 
Gushing usuall}' wrote the name as above. He came 
with his German associates in 1758, settled where Nathan 
and Oliver Taylor reside, and remained about twenty 
years, when he removed to Haverhill, N. H. Four 
youngest children were b. in this town. AYe have assigned 
to him daughters Elizabeth and Delanah, if they should 
prove to be otherwise connected with the family it would 
not contradict the record of their marriage. The name 
of the wife of Jacob Schoffe was Elizabeth. 

I. Delanah, b. ; md. Nov. 9, 1760, Aaron 

Samson. 
II. Elizabeth, b. ; md. July 30, 1767, Philip 

Christian Ger. 

III. Catherine, b. July 6, 1759. 

IV. John, b. Aug. 15, 1761. 
V. Daniel, b. Aug. 26, 1764. 

VI. Henry, b. Aug. 9, 1766. 



Grover Scollay, son of John ScoUay of Stoneham, 
was b. Oct. 10, 1729. In early life he removed to 
Harvard, where he md. Feb. 19, 1752, Lois Atherton, 
dau. of John and Phebe (Wright) Atherton. She d. in 
Harvard Sept. 7, 1778; he md. (2d) Nov. 4, 1779, 
Rebecca Harris, b. March 25, 1748, a sister of Dea. 
Jacob Harris, q. v. They removed to Ashburnham 1784. 
In their old age they lived with their son Ezra Scollay in 
Rindge, where he d. Jan. 12, 1816; she d. March 21, 
1819. Nine children by the first and five by the second 
marriage. 

I. John, b. Aug. 19, 1753; d. young. 

II. Ann, bap. April 18, 1756 ; probably d. young. 

III. Sarah, b. Feb. 22, 1759. 

IV. John, bap. April 17, 1763.-|- 
v. Lois, b. Jan. 27, 1766. 



890 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



O 



9 
10 
11 



]2 
13 



14 



15 



16 



17 



(5) 



VI. Lydia, bap. Feb. 26, 1769. 
VII. Betsey, bap. Sept. 1, 1771. 
VIII. Lucy, bap. Oct. 9, 1774. 



IX. 
X. 



Grover, b. 



•+ 



Samuel, b. Jan. 21, 1781. Dr. Samuel Scollaj 
was a man of marked ability. Vide page 495, 
He md. Jan. 21, 1822, Harriot Lowndes, b. in 
Georgetown, D. C, Nov. 23, 1794, dau. of 
Charles and Eleanor (Lloyd) Lowndes; she d. 
Aug. 5, 1835; he md. (2d) Jan. 21, 1841, 
Sally Page Nelson, b. in Hanover count}', Va., 
Dec. 10, 1801. He d. in Smithfield, West 
Virginia, Jan. 11, 1857. Eight children. 
XI. James, b. March 24, 1783.-|- 

XII. Ezra, b. March 8, 1786, resided in Rindge. He 
was an honorable man, pure in heart and 
refined in speech. He md. Dec. 31, 1807, 
Mersylvia Jewett, b. Nov. 4, 1786, dau of Dea. 
Edward and Dorcas (Gates) Jewett of Rindge, 
and a niece of Col. Joseph Jewett of Ashburn- 
ham. She d. June 2, 1855, beloved and honored 
by all who knew her. He md. (2d) Oct. 14, 
1856, Polly Hale, b. Feb. 8, 1788, dau. of 
David and Bathseba (Barker) Hale of Rindge; 
she d. Dec. 17, 1866; he md. (3d) Sept. 19, 
1867, Mrs. Mary P. Moore of New Ipswich ; 
he d. Nov. 10, 1874. No issue. 
xm. Lucy, b. March 31, 1788; md. March 24, 1823, 
Asa Farnsworth of J^eomiuster ; he d. June 18^ 
1831 ; she d. 1842. 

1. Dorothy, b. March 17, 1826 ; md. April 

26, 1848, Abel C. Chase, b. Feb. 1, 1824, 
son of George Chase of Leominster. 

2. Ezra Scollay, b. March 28, 1830, a captain 

and brevet major in the Civil War, and 
was wounded severely while in the 
service ; has been manager of St. Louis 
Despatch; subsequently a real estate 
agent at Newton. He md. May 22, 
1854, Mary Frances Brown, b. Oct. 11^ 
1832, dau. of William Brown of Boston. 
He d. April 2, 1886. 

XIV. Abel, b. June 16, 1790 ; removed to Canada. 

Capt. John Scollay was a second and first lieutenant 
of the Ashburnham Light Infantry from 1792 to 1797 and 
captain a year or more commencing 1797. Subsequently 



18 
19 
20 

(10) 



21 



28 



29 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 891 

he removed to Newton and returned to this town for a 
short time about 1811. He again removed to Newton 
where he d. July, 1826. He md. Feb. 22, 1789, Lucy 
Hemenway, dau. of Ebenezer Hemenway, q. v. She d. 
Dec. 6, 1804. He md. (2d) Esther Thwing, and by this 
marriage there were three children. 

1. Lucy Hemenway, b. Sept. 2, 1808 ; d. in Cam- 
bridge 1866. 
II. Sarah Chamberlain, h. Sept. 29, 1810; md. Elijah 

Clark ; she resides in Newton. 
III. John George, b. 1812. 



Capt. Grover Scollay was an officer of the Ashburn- 
ham Light Infantry several years. He was a man of 
good ability and of genial manners. For many years he 
was a manufacturer of kid and morocco shoes and at 
times employed from ten to twenty men. He was twice 
married and in the progress of years his earthly treasures 
were more conspicuous in his household than in his land 
and gold. By industry he supported a numerous family 
and maintained friendly relations with his fellow-men. 
He md. Jan. 26, 1802, Sally Dickinson, dau. of Amos 
Dickinson, q. v. ; she d. Nov. 19, 1805 ; md. (2d) May 
22, 1817, Sally Stowell, dau. of John and Susanna Stowell 
of Temple. He d. Nov. 1, 1852 ; his widow d. in Tem- 
pleton Jan. 15, 1887. 

I. Amos D., b. Feb. 7, 1803; md. 1825, Cinderilla 

Adams, dau. of John Adams, q. v. ; she d. Jan. 

24, 1831. He removed to Saxton's River, Vt., 

where he d. and where his widow, a second wife, 

resides. 
Sally, b. Nov. 10, 1805. 
Infant, d. Oct. 3, 1808. 
Leonard, b. Sept. 29, 1809 ; lived in St. Louis, 

Mo., and was proprietor at one time of Planter's 

Hotel. 
Nancy, b. 1811 ; d. Nov. 1, 182.*). 
Infant, b. and d, Nov. 16, 1815. 
Susan W., b. Sept. 3, 1817; md. April 10, 1839, 

Dr. Edwin Leigh of Brooklyn, N. Y., and siibse- 

quently of St. Louis, Mo. 
VIII. George W., b. April 13, 1819 ; a physician in New 

York. Vide page 514. He md. Nov. 20, 1843, 

Elizabeth Stearns Wyman, dau. of Col. N. 

Wyman of llillsboro'. 111. 
IX. Mary, b. Feb. 8, 1821 ; md. Russell Whipple, q. v. 



22 


II. 


23 


III. 


24 


IV. 


25 


V. 


26 


VI. 


27 


VII. 



892 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



30 



31 

32 
33 

34 
35 

36 



37 

38 



39 



40 

41 
42 
43 

<12) 



44 



45 



XI. 
XII. 



XIII. 
XIV. 



XV. 



XVI. 

XVII. 

XVIII. 

XIX. 



Milton J., b. Feb. 18, 1822; md. Sept. 2, 1847, 
Mary W. Hastings, dau. of Joseph B. Hastings, 
q. V. ; she d. in Brookline Jan. 11, 1862; md. 
(2d) Nov. 24, 1864, Sarah A. (Brewer) Stone, 
b. in Oakham Sept. 17, 1838. He has resided 
in Townsend, Westboro', Peabody, Harvard, 
Ayer, and is now a resident of Templeton. 

1. George Grover, d. young. 

2. Charles Augustus, b. Aug. 13, 1850. 

3. Clara Lizzie, b. Oct. 20, 1853 ; md. March 

29, 1883, Edward Willoughby. 

4. Mary Addie, b. March 5, 1860. 

Clarissa, b. Sept. 12, 1824 ; md. Samuel B. 
Wright ; i-esides in Georgia. 

Charles N., b. Feb. 23, 1826; md. Jan. 7, 1850, 
Nancy C. Barrett, dau. of Townsend Barrett, 
q. V. 

Infant, d. 1828. 

Albert, b. Sept. 13, 1829 ; md. 1852, Augusta 
vStratton, b. in Rindge April 27, 1831, dau. of 
Samuel and Lovisa (Gibson) Stratton ; she d. 
Oct. 6, 1873. Three children. 

Edwin, b. July 5, 1831 ; md. Nov. 27, 1862, Hattie 
M. Wilson who d. June 22, 1865; md. (2d) 
March 16, 1867, Louisa J. Hadley, dau. ol 
David Hadle}', q. v. He resides in this town. 

Joseph, b. Aug. 13, 1833 ; resides unmd. in New- 
ton, Ga. He is a planter and a merchant. 

Infant, d. 1835. 

Elmira, b. ; d. young. 

Lucinda, b. ; d. young. 



James Scollay md. April 2, 1807, Dolly Corey, dau. 
of Hezekiah Corey, and removed to Gardner where he was 
a farmer. He was an influential citizen and was much 
employed in town affairs. He d. Dec. 1, 1852; she d. 



Dolly, b. Nov. 8, 1808; md. April 16, 1829, 
Amasa Whitney, b. in Gardner June 19, 1805, 
son of William and Anna (Hey wood) Whitney ; 
resided in Gardner; he d. Jan. 21, 1871; she 
d. Oct. 25, 1843. 

Sarah, b. Sept. 10, 1810 ; md. Nov. 21, 1840, Dr. 
David Parker of Gardner, b. March 18, 1802, 
son of David and Martha (Carver) Parker of 
Westford ; for many years Dr. Parker was 



46 



47 



48 



49 



GEiNEALOGICAL REGISTER. 893 

among the leading physicians of Worcester 
county; he d. 1886 ; she d. Jan. 26, 1870. 

III. James, b. March 26, 1812; md. June 26, 1836, 

Lucy M. Young and removed to St. Louis, Mo., 
where he d. Jan. 14, 1874. 

IV. Charles, b. Jan. 8, 1814 ; resides in Gardner ; he 

md. Oct. 10, 1843, Elizabeth A. Garfield, b. in 
Troy, N. H., Dec. 27, 1816, dau. of Enoch and 
Lucy (Hodgkins) Garfield. 

V. Lucy, b. Aug. 26, 1816; md. Nov. 24, 1836, 
Alfred H. Brick, b. Jan. 26, 1815, son of Ehjah 
and Sally (Comee) Brick ; she d. in Fitchburg 
Nov. 19, 1846. 

VI. Ezra, b. April 9, 1821 ; d. Nov. 26, 1841. 

Jacob Sellham was one of the German emigrants who 
settled on the Dutch farms. Probably he had a home 
with his son, Henry, as no mention of a wife or other 
children is found in the records. He d. in Ashby Aug. 
27, 1769, aged about 60 years. 

Henry Sellham, with wife, Catherine, settled on the 
Dutch farms in the northeast part of the town 1758. He 
was elected to a minor office at the first town meeting 
1765. At the incorporation of Ashby in 1767, his farm 
was included in that town. So long as he remained in 
Ashburuham his name was written Sellham or Selham, 
but as soon as he became a citizen of Ashby he was 
known as Sellenham. It is probable that he removed to 
northern New Hampshire about 1775. Three children 
were born in Ashburnham and one in Ashby. 

I. Jacob, b. 22, 1761. 

II. Anna, b. Feb. 24, 1763. 

III. Elizabeth, b. Sept. 15, 1765. 

IV. Catherine, b. Dec. 25, 1767. 



Joseph Small, b. in Canterbury, N. H., son of John 
and Kezia (Jackson) Snaall, removed to this town 1855. 
He is a blacksmith ; lives at North Village. He md. Nov. 
19, 1846, Polly Tottingham, dau. of Moses Tottingham, 
Jr., q. V. There were children by a former marriage of 
Mr. Small ; among them, Arvilla A. Small who md. Levi 
B. Tottingham, q. v. 

I. Joseph B.,h. Jan. 9, 1853; md. April 11, 1878, 
Mary M. Elliot of Norton Creek, Canada. He 



894 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



is a farmer and manufacturer of wood ware at 

North Village. Four children. 
II. Lyman P., b. Oct. 2, 1858. 
III. Hattie 0., b. March 4, 1861. 



SMITH. 

Dk. Joshua Smith, a physician and prominent citizen of Shrewsbury, 
md. Sarah Prentice, dau. of Rev. John Prentice of Lancaster. He d. Jan. 
20, 1756. Among their children were Joshua Smitli, Esq., and John Prentice 
Smith of Ashburnham, who were first cousins of Rev. John Gushing. Sarah 
(Prentice). Smith md. (2d) April 12, 1759, Col. Timothy Brigham of Marl- 
boro' and Southboro'. After his death she came to Ashburnham where she 
d. March 16, 1803, aged 88. 



10 
11 

12 



John Prentice Smith, son of Dr. Joshua and Sarah 
(Prentice) Smith, was b. in Shrewsbury Oct. 3, 1748. 

He md. Hepsibah and came to this town in 1771 or 

1772. He was an iunholder. He d. July 18, 1774; his 
widow removed to Southboro'. 

I. John., b. Aug. 11, 1773. 



Joshua Smith, Esq., a brother of John Prentice Smith, 
was b. in Shrewsbury March 21, 1745. He removed to 
Ashburnham in 1785 and occupied a prominent position 
in social and in town affairs. He formerly resided in 
Southboro' and had been a town clerk and a Justice of 
the Peace, but his commission was not renewed after his 
removal to this town, yet he was invariably styled Esquire 

Smith. He md. Abigail who d. in Southboro' Oct. 

5, 1778 ; md. (2d) Joanna Stone, b. April 22, 1747, dau. 
of Rev. Nathan Stone, first minister of Southboro' ; she 
d. Nov. 26, 1808 ; he d. March 2, 1826. 

I. Timothy, b. Jan. 13, 1772. 
II. Sarah, b. Sept. 10, 1773; d. Sept. 12, 1775. 

III. Sally, b. Sept. 19, 1775; md. Jan. 11, 1796, Dr. 

Melzer Dwelly of Hanover ; two or more 
children. 

1. George Wilder, bap. Aug. 14, 1796. 

2. Sally, b. ; md. Asia Phillips, q. v. 

IV. Nabby, b. Oct. 5, 1777; md. April 22, 1807, Dea. 

Josiah Willard of Petersham. 
V. Joanna, b. March 8, 1783. 

VI. Molly, b. March 7, 1784 ; d. unmd. June 1, 1823. 

VII. Joshua, b. Dec. 16, 1785; md. April 18, 1809, 

Eunice Townsend, dau. of Reuben Townsend, 

g. V. He resided on the home farm with his 



13 

14 

15 
16 

17 

18 
19 

20 



21 
22 
23 

24 



25 

26 

27 

28 
29 

30 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 895 

father and subsequently lived in Winchendon, 
where his five children were born, and in Town- 
send and in Bernardston. Late in life he 
removed to Westminster where he d. 

1. Lucy, md. Leonard Mossman, son of John, 

q. V. 

2. Eunice, md. Moses Richardson of Leom- 

inster. 

3. Joshua, removed to Worcester. 

4. Reuben Townsend, md. Allen and 

resided in Fitchburg. 

5. Melzer, md. Rhoda Sanders and lived in 

Waltham. 

viir. Sophia, b. Oct. 24, 1787; md. April 8, 1817, 
Jacob Harris, Jr., q. v. 
IX. Flavel, b. Oct. 3; d. Oct. 15, 1789. 

Jonathan Wakren Smith, son of Jacob and Kezia 
(Warren) Smith, was b. in Shrewsbury Feb. 26, 1748. 
With wife Catherine he came to Ashburnham in 1774 or 
1775. His name appears on the roll of Capt. Gates' 
company of minute-men in 1775. He removed in 1780 
to Hubbardston. 

I. Alice, bap. Aug. 27, 1775. 
II. Joel, bap. May 4, 1777. 
III. Sophia, bap. Feb. 21, 1779. 

Joseph Smith, b. in Westminster Oct., 1813, son of 
Jonas and Eunice (Hartwell) Smith, md. May, 1836, 
Abigail Cutter, dau. of Nathaniel Cutter, q. v. They 
resided in this town where she d. July 25, 1850. He d. 
in Lunenburg Sept. 9, 1858. 

I. Charles Edwin, b. Jan. 25, 1838 ; md. Nov. 16, 

1866, Lizzie Woodward ; reside in Athol. 
n. Ellen Arvilla, b. June 30, 1840; d. Jan. 6, 1843. 

III. FranJdin Augustus, h. Oct. 3, 1843 ; d. April 16, 

1856. 

IV. Alfred Herbert, b. Sept. 15, 1845 ; md. May 27, 

1868, Emma J. Dudley ; reside in Orange. 
V. Abbie Maria, b. July 6, 1850 ; d. 1853. 

Samuel Dexter Smith, a brother of Joseph, b. in 
Westminster Aug., 1815, md. 1838, Mary Barrett, dau. 
of Benjamin Barrett, ^. v. She d. Dec. 31, 1839; md. 



896 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



31 
32 

33 
34 

35 



(2d) 1840, Celia F. Arnold of Lunenburg. He d. in 
Fitchburg Dec. 29, 1879. One child was b. in this town. 
No additional record has been received. 

I. Mary Elizabeth, b. Oct. 31, 1842. 



Andrew J. Smith, a brother of Joseph and Samuel D., 
was b. in Westminster Sept. 19, 1819; md. Aug. 16, 
1848, Maria Savage of Fitchburg. He d. Aug. 17, 1880. 

I. Arabel M., b. Nov. 1, 1849; rad. Nov. 1, 1875, 

Edward G. Newell of Ashb3\ 
II. Walter J., b. Sept. 21, 1851; md. Jan. 1, 1879, 

Emma A. Coggshall ; he is a blacksmith and 

machinist in this town. 
Clinton J., b. Nov. 27, 1854; md. Nov. 25, 1875, 

Sarah Louise Stowell ; resides in Winchendon. 
Harlow J., b. Oct. 8, 1853 ; d. Oct. 1, 1854. 
Harlow R., b. Oct. 27, 1856 ; md. Aug. 27, 1879, 

Lorilla A. Holt, a farmer in Ashbj'. 
Milton W., b. Aug. 14, 1862 ; d. Feb. 2, 1865. 
Abbie W., b. May 1, 1866 ; d. March 13, 1868. 



III. 



36 


IV 


37 


V 


38 


VI 


39 


VII 



SPALDING. 

This name was generally written Spaulding in the early records, but is 
rarely met in any form in this town during the past sixty years. Benjamin 
and James Spalding were early residents of this town; they were brothers 
and descendants in the fifth generation of Edward Spalding of Braintree and 
Chelmsford. The lineage is clearly traced in the Spalding Memorial. The 
second wife of James, the father of Benjamin and James Spalding, d. in this 
town Marcli 21, 1812, aged, says Mr. Gushing, between SO and 90. 



Benjamin Spalding was b. in Westford March 15, 
1737-8. He was a son of James and grandson of Andrew 
Spalding. About 1760 he settled in the northeast part of 
Dorchester Canada, and his name appears in the minutes 
of the properietors' meetings and in the list of town 
oflficers chosen in March, 1767. In 1769 he was a peti- 
tioner to be annexed to Ashby, but his request was denied 
by the General Court. His name appears from time to 
time in the records, until he removed, probably before the 
Revolution, to Jaffrey, N. H. He md. 1759, Sarah 
Chandler, b. Feb. 3, 1738-9, dau. of William and Susanna 
(Burge) Chandler of Westford ; she d. in Jaffrey Oct. 3, 
1796. He md. (2d) April 29, 1797, Betsey Whitcomb 
Flood, widow of Dea. James Flood of Marlboro', N. H., 
and removed to her home, where he d. 1810. Of his 
eleven children it is probable that six were b. in this 
town. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. ,^597 



in 



James Spalwng, a brother of Benjamin, was b. 
Westford Aug. 31, 1748. He md. in Westford Sept. 26^ 
1769, Hannah Barron, b. July 17, 1747, dau. of Timothy 
Barron of Westford. He removed to Lyme, N. H., but 
settled in this town near Great Watatic, about 1773. It 
is probable he came at the time or soon after the removal 
of his brother. Living in the extreme part of the town 
he was closely allied in all social relations with the people 
of New Ipswich and attended church in that place. At 
the Lexington alarm it is claimed that he was a volunteer, 
and the absence of his name on the rolls of the two com- 
panies from Ashburnham would not be evidence that he 
was not a member of the New Ipswich company. In 
three volumes of local history, deservedly holding an 
enviable position in that field of literature, will be found 
reference to this military service in these words : "When 
the alarm of Concord fight was given he started immedi- 
ately for the scene of action, while his wife and eldest son 
spent the afternoon of that day on the summit of Watatic, 
where they saw the smoke of the burning buildings and 
distinctly heard the report of the British cannon." It is 
fifty nailes from Watatic to Concord, but the question of 
the distance is unimportant in this connection. The 
intelligence of the affray at Lexington and Concord did 
not reach Ashburnham and New Ipswich until the 
hostilities had ceased and the soldiers did not leave either 
Ashburnham or New Ipswich until evening. Even if the 
smoke could be seen in the distance to what burning 
buildings is reference made ? 

James Spalding continued a residence in this town, 
enjoying the respect and confidence of his townsmen. 
His wife d. Sept. 3, 1814 ; he md. (2d) Elizabeth Wilkins, 
widow of John Wilkins of New Ipswich, and subsequently 
resided in New Ipswich, where he d. June 8, 1832 ; his 
widow d. March 3, 1841. 

I. Jonathan, b. Aug. 23, 1770. -f- 
11. James, b. Jan. 17, 1772; md. in Dedham Jan. 6, 
1796, Sally Fairbanks and settled in Lempster, 
N. H., near his brother Jonathan and sister 
Betsey, the wife of Nathan Jones. He d. in 
Acworth, N. H., Dec. 10, 1847 ; his widow d. 
March 11, 1848. Fourteen children. 
III. Hannah, b. Sept. 26, 1774; md. Oct. 7, 1794, 
Abel Prescott of Groton, and d. Aug. 17, 1854 ; 
he d. Sept. 18, 1841. 

6 IV. Amy, b. July 29, 1776 ; d. Sept. 10, 1780. 

7 V. Betsey, b. Aug. 10, 1778 ; md. Nathan Jones, son 
of Enos Jones, q. v. 

67 



898 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



O 



9 
10 
11 
12 
13 



14 
15 

(3) 



VI. Nathan Barron, b. April 30, 1780. He was a 
physician ; practised his profession in Randolph 
and Montpelier, Vt. ; d. in Manchester, N. H., 
May 17, 1861. He md. Dec. 8, 1807, Sophia 
Fish who d. Feb. 24, 1844 ; md. (2d) Sophia 
Haseltine. Plight children. 
VII. Mary, b. Nov. 25, 1781 ; md. Jonas Nutting, q. v. 
VIII. Isaac, b. July 8, 1783. -f- 
IX. Fhinehas, b. Jan. 16, 1785 ; d. Oct. 8, 1800. 
X. Sally, b. July 15, 1787 ; d. Feb. 6, 1808. 
XI. Joseph, b. July 5, 1791 ; md. 1808, Betsey (Hast- 
ings) Randall, dau. of Capt. Charles Hastings, 
q. V. He resided a few years in this town and 
d. in the State of New York 1815. 

1. Sylvia, b. Feb. 21, 1809; md. May 29, 

1827, Atherton Munroe. 

2. Charles. 



16 



17 

18 



Jonathan Spalding md. Nov. 29, 1792, Milly Bennett, 
dau. of Capt. James Bennett, g. v. He settled in Lemp- 
ster, N. H., where he was a farmer and in the winter 
season a school-teacher. He was frequently chosen to 
positions of trust. In 1809 he returned to Ashburuham 
and lived on the homestead with his father. In 1814 he 
was stricken with paralysis ; his father removed to New 
Ipswich and soon after he went to Jericho, Vt., where he 
d. Jan. 23, 1823 ; his wndow d. Nov. 2, 1853. 

I. Sewell, b. April 18, 1792. Enlisting at New 
Ipswich and serving in the New Hampshire 
forces he was at Portsmouth in the War of 
1812. He md. 1820, Abigail Oilman and 
settled in Uuderhill, Vt., where he d. April 5, 
1843. 
II. Hosea, b. Dec. 27, 1794 ; md. Jan. 20, 1820, Lucy 
Kidder, dau. of John Kidder of Ashby ; removed 
to Jericho, Vt. 
III. James, b. Sept. 11, 1796 ; he was in the service at 
Portsmouth with his brother Sewell. He was 
stricken with fever and ever after was deaf. 
He was a great reader, a thoughtful, intelligent 
man. He md. Oct. 14, 1819, Sophia Kidder, 
b. Aug. 21, 1800, dau. of John Kidder; she d. 
Feb. 20, 1854 ; md. (2d) Jan. 6, 1859, Caroline 
Wetherbee. He resided in New Ipswich. Six 
children. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTEK. 



899 



19 

20 
21 
22 
23 
24 

(10) 

25 
26 



IV. Alva, b. June 11, 1798; rad. Jan. 28, 1818, Lydia 

Taylor; d. at Glen's Falls, N. Y., April 9, 
1856. 

V. Nathan P., b. March 27, 1800; d. Jan, 23, 1850; 

md. Mabel Bentley. No children. 

VI. E7nily, b. June 14, 1802 ; md. Feb. 18, 1822, 

Eber Bartlett of Jericho, Vt. 
VII. A^nasa A., b. May 15, 1806 ; md. Jan. 10, 1833, 

Isabel L. Hyde ; d. July 23, 1839. 
VIII. 3fary,h. March 1, 1809; md. 1828, L. Woodward 

of Jericho, Vt. 
IX. Sophia, b. Sept. 17, 1814; md. Harvey Hatch; 

removed to Hadley, N. Y. 



Isaac Spalding md. April 28, 1808, Lydia Brown who 
d. Feb. 6, 1836 ; md. (2d) April 27, 1837, Martha Leigh- 
ton Parker, b. 1794, dau. of Reuben and Hannah 
(Hildreth) Leighton and widow of Addison Parker of 
Westford. 

I. William Safford, b. May 4, 1809 ; vide page 500 ; 
md. Dec. 22, 1841, Harriet B. Nettleton. He 
d. June 10, 1884. 
II, Josiah Worcester,}). 'Nov. 14, 1810; md. Nov. 29, 
1832, Emeline Wright; resided in Pepperell 
and in New Jersey. 
III. Fhineas Brown, b. Oct. 14, 1815 ; md. Lydia 
Fish ; removed to Beloit, Wis, 



John F. Stacey, b, in Burlington, Vt., Sept. 8, 1844, 
son of John Stacey, md. Sept, 8, 1869, Nellie L, Dal- 
rymple, b, Oct, 5, 1850, dau, of John Dalrymple. He 
removed to this town in 1872, and is a chair maker at 
South Village, 

I. Carl Leone, b, July 15, 1877. 



STEARNS, 

Isaac Stearns, probably from Nayland, Suffolk, England, came to New 
England in 1630, in the ship with Gov. Winthrop, and settled in Watertown, 
Mass., near Mt. Auburn. He was admitted freeman May 18, 1631, which is 
the earliest date of such admissions. He was selectman several years, and 
in 1647, with Mr. Biscoe, he was appointed by the selectmen •' to consider 
how the bridge over the river shall be built, and to agree with the workmen 
for doing it according to their best discretion." He d. June 19, 1671, leaving 
a widow, Mary, who d. April 2, 1677. The signature to his will is written 
Sternes, and in England the name has generally been written Sterne. The 
Anglo-Saxon of the name of the bird, the starling, which appears upon the 
coat-of-arms of this family, is steam, and in other dialects it is stern, and 
and also starn, which is probably associated with the origin of the name. 
The present orthography has been more recently adopted. 



900 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

John Stearns, son of Isaac Stearns, the emigrant ancestor, probably was 
b. after the settlement in Watertown and about 1631. He was one of the first 
settlers of Billerica, where his descendants have been numerous and have 
been conspicuous in the annals of that town. He md. Sarah Mixer, only 
dau. of Isaac Mixer of Watertown. She d. June 18, 1656; he md. (2d) 
Nov. 26, 1656, Mary Lothrop, b. Oct. 4, 1640, dau. of Thomas Lothrop of 
Barnstable. He d. March 5, 1668-9 ; his widow md. May 6, 1669, William 
French of Billerica, and md. (3d) 1687, Isaac Mixer of Watertown. Among 
the six children of John Stearns were John and Isaac whose descendants 
have been permanent residents of Ashburnham. 

John Stearns, the eldest son, was b. in Billerica May, 1654; md. Elizabeth 
Bigelow, b. June 15, 1657, dau. of John and Mary (Warren) Bigelow ot 
Watertown. She d. April 18, 1694; he md. (2d) Joanna (Call) Parker, 
widow of Jacob Parker and dau. of Thomas and Joanna (Shepardson) Call 
of Maiden. He was a captain ; " was much respected and had much influ- 
ence." John Stearns, son of John and Elizabeth (Bigelow) Stearns, b. in 
Billerica Nov. 25, 1686, md. Esther Johnson, b. 1691, dau. of Edward 
Johnson of Woburn. He d. Aug. 2, 1776; his widow d. April 18, 1786. 
Hon. Isaac Stearns, son of John and Esther (Johnson) Stearns, was b. in 
Billerica June 16, 1722. He md. Feb. 11, 1747-8, Sarah Abbott, b. April 
22, 1728, dau. of Obed Abbott of Bedford. He was a soldier in the French 
War, a representative, senator and a magistrate, and prominent in town and 
colonial affairs. He was one of the proprietors of Dorchester Canada and 
owned at different times many acres of land in the township. He frequently 
attended the meetings of the proprietors and was a controlling spirit in the 
organization. After the settlement of his sons in this town he was accus- 
tomed to visit them. In Sept. , 1806, at that time 84 years of age and his 
wife 78, the aged parents rode from Billerica in one day and returned home 
a few days later. He d. March 23, 1808; she d. Jan. 9, 1815. Among their 
children were Isaac and William Stearns of Ashburnham. Another son, 
John, who resided in Billerica, was the father of Gov. Onslow Stearns of 
New Hampshire and of Franklin Stearns who md. Sally Lane, dau. of Ben- 
jamin, q. V. 

Isaac Stearns, son of John and Mary (Lothrop) Stearns and a half brother 
of John who was b. 1654, was b. in Billerica Dec. 23, 1661, and after the 
death of his father was apprenticed to his step-father, William French. 
He md. Mary Merriam and resided in Billerica, where he d. 1739. His 
eldest son, Isaac Stearns, b. Aug. 21, 1701, md. Alice Wilson, b. Nov. 12, 
1703, dau. of John and Elizabeth (Foster) Wilson. He d., leaving a good 
estate, Sept. 20, 1739; his widow md. Sept. 14, 1741, John Pollard; she d. 
Nov. 4, 1756. Elijah Stearns, son of Isaac, b. June 15, 1735, leaving the 
home of his ancestors, settled in Rutland. He md. Feb. 20, 1760, Lucy Lane, 
b. May 3, 1732, dau. of Job Lane and an aunt of Col. Francis Lane of this 
town. He d. Oct. 3, 1801 ; his wife d. Aug. 4, 1793. Capt. Josiah Stearns, 
son of Capt. Elijah, was b. in Rutland June 18, 1769; md. Jan. 28, 1795, 
Ruth Hunt of Milton and settled in Leominster. 



Isaac Stearns, b. in Billerica June 13, 1770, son of 
Hon. Isaac Stearns, md. Dec. 18, 1777, Mary Crosby, b. 
May 16, 1754, dau. of Jessaniah and Mary (Hosley) 
Crosby of Billerica. He removed to this town in 1778 
and settled in the northeast part of the town. He lived 
on intimate terms with his pastor, and, while living in 
the extreme part of the town, he was constant in 
attendance on the Sabbath and week-day meetings. He 
d. April 30, 1807 ; his widow d. . 



2 


I. 


3 


II. 


4 


III. 


5 


IV. 


6 


V. 


7 


VI. 


8 


VII. 


9 


VIII. 


10 


IX. 



11 



12 
(4) 



13 
14 
15 
16 

.(6) 



GENEALOGICAL KEGISTER. gQl 

Betsey, b. Aug. 30, 1778 ; d. unrad. Nov. (5, 1854. 

Isaac, b. March 12, 1780; d. June 16, 1781. 

Isaac, b. Oct. 28, 1781. + 

Mary, b. Feb. 19, 1783 ; md. April 29, 1806, Job 
Davis. 

Jesse, b. Aug. 29, 1784.+ 

Sarah, b. Feb. 4, 1786 ; ind. Job Davis. 

Martha, b. Oct. 19, 1787; md. April 8, 1818, 
Capt. Sewell Fiske of Weston, son of Jonatlian 
and Abigail (Fiske) Fiske. Eight children. 
VIII. Orpali, b. May 19, 1789 ; md. Joel Davis, q. v. 

JoJm, b. March 11, 1791; d. unmd. Sept. 10, 
1824. Vide page 497. 

Abigail, b. Jan. 31, 1793; md. June 5, 1818, 
Chauucey Perry, b. Feb. 8, 1788, son of John 
and Abigail (Bigelow) Perry of Rindge ; resided 
in New Ipswich. Their sons : John Philander, 
Albert and Isaac Stearns were clergyman. 
Chauncey, Jr., and Timothy were lawyers in 
Brooklyn, N. Y. 

Alice, b. July 11, 1796 ; d. May 28, 1812. 



Isaac Stearns md. Nov. 7, 1822, Belinda Bedlow, b. 
in Hinghara Nov. 18, 1791, dau. of Stephen and Sarah 
Bedlow of Hingham and Ashby. This name was formerly 
written Badlam. P^rom the date of his marriage until 
1840 he lived in Rindge. 

I. Sarah, b. Sept. 27, 1823; d. Feb. 12, 1824. 
II. Isaac, b. Sept. 24, 1825. 

III. Sarah Whitney, b. Dec. 24, 1827. 

IV. Albert, h. Dec. 20, 1833. 



17 



Jesse Stearns was a popular school-teacher over 
twenty years and was known as Master Jesse Stearns. 
In 1820 he removed to New Ipswich and since that date 
the Isaac Stearns family has not been represented in this 
town. Master Jesse Stearns was a man of quick intuitions, 
active and alert in his movements, and kind, honest and 
honorable in his intercourse with his fellow-men. He 
was a farmer and supplemented his other employments 
with that of surveyor and conveyancer. lie md. June 6, 
1811, Lucinda Davis, dau. of Josiah and Abigail (Hub- 
bard) Davis of New Ipswich. He d. Nov. 18, 1866 ; his 
widow d. Oct. 9, 1868. 

I. Jesse George Davis, b. Feb. 24, 1812. Vide page 
499. In the notice of Rev. Stearns the date of 



902 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



18 



19 

20 

21 



22 



23 



24 



removal of tlie family to New Ipswich is incor- 
rectly stated 182!> " He md. June 27, 1843, 
Lucy Murdock of Rutland. 
II. Eveline Lucinda, b. Feb. 16, 1814; md. Nov. 4, 
1835, Rev. Samuel S. Tappau ; she d. in Con- 
way, N. H., March 27, 1850. 

III. Josiah J/., b. June 17, 1818. Vide page 503. 

IV. Isaac C.,h. Feb. 28, 1820; md. Wheeler; 

resides in Minnesota. 
V. Abigail M., b. July 24, 1822 ; md. Oct. 28, 1847, 

Rev. Seuaca Cummings, b. in Antrim, N. H., 

May 16, 1847, son of Samuel and Joanna 

(Wyman) Cummings ; a missionary' in China. 

He d. in New Ipswich 1856. 
VI. Lucy E., b. April 13, 1824; md. Sept. 6, 1852, 

Rev. Charles Hartwell of Lincoln ; a missionary 

in China; she d. in China. 
VII. John Newton, b. May 24, 1829 ; secretary of the 

National Temperance Society in New York ; 

resides in Brooklvn . 



25 

26 

27 

28 

29 
30 
31 



William Steakns, brother of Isaac, b. in Billerica 
Aug. 4, 1752, md. Sept. 25, 1777, Lydia Davis, and 
settled in this town 1778. For two or three j'ears the 
brothers had been clearing land owned by their father 
and had been in this town a part of the summer season. 
Their houses were about one-eighth of a mile apart and the 
farm of William remains in possession of his descendants. 
He was a man of good ability and commanded in an 
eminent degree the respect and confidence of his neigh- 
bors. He d. July 12, 1826 ; his widow d. July 31, 1835. 

I. William,^. June 19, 1778; md. Feb. 12, 1801, 
Betsey Davis, dan. of Dea. Thaddeus Davis of 
Bedford. He lived in Bedford, where he d. 
Sept. 29, 1823 ; she d. July 27, 1844. Six 
children. 
II. Lydia, h. March 28, 1780; md. Samuel Foster, 

Jr., q. V. 
HI. Solomon, b. June 18, 1782; a merchant in New 

Orleans; d. unmd. Feb. 9, 1815, 
IV. Asa, b. Oct. 14, 1784; vide page 494; d. unmd. 

Dec. 19, 1809. 
V. Timothy, b. Sept. 1, 1786.+ 

VI. Calle, b. March 24, 1789 ; md. John Farrar, q. v. 

VII. Charles, b. March 21, 1791; md. Oct. 19, 1821, 

Rebecca Converse, b. Feb. 18, 1794, dan. of 

Zebulon and Sarah (Merriam) Converse of 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 903 

Rindge. He was an ensign of the militia in 
1814, but soon removed to New Ipswich, where 
he d. March 6, 1838 ; she d. in Lowell Sept. 3, 
1870. Four children. 

III. Roxanna, b. May 7, 1793; md. Feb. 15, 1821, 
Rev. Araasa Jones, b. April 18, 1796, son of Asa 
Jones of Rindge. He was a missionary among 
the Indians. He d. in Missouri April 17, 1870 ; 
she d. Oct. 17, 1875. 

IX. Charlotte, b. Sept. 8, 1795 ; md. Reuben Rice, 
Jr., q. V. 



Capt. Timothy Stearns lived on the homestead of his 
father, now of his son Edwin J. Stearns. He was a 
captain of the militia, a town officer many years and an 
able, influential citizen. In 1843, without disposing of 
the farm, he set out with his family for Missouri. He d. 
during the journey and his family, after a brief residence 
at Little Osage, Mo., returned to this town. He md. 
Jan. '2&, 1820, Eliza Adams, dau. of Capt. Ebenezer 
Thomas Adams, q. v. He d. Oct. 25, 1843 ; she d. July 
18, 1883. 

I. Eliza Roxanna, b. Jan. 2, 1821 ; md. Oct. 1, 
1842, Cecil D. Ball of Little Osage, Mo. He d. 
Nov. 24, 1860; she md. (2d) June 2, 1863, 
Col. Robert W. McNeil. They reside at 
Nevada, Mo. 

II. Mary Adams, b. July 21, 1822; md. June, 1844, 
Isaac D. Stearns, b. July 21, 1821, son of 
William and Betsey (Davis) Stearns, q. v. 
They resided several years in Missouri. She d. 
in this town July 11, 1854. 

III. Timothy Wray, b. Sept. 30, 1824; d. Oct. 16, 

1825. 

IV. Timothy Wray, b. March 16, 1826 ; resided at 

Little Osage, Mo. ; d unmd. Oct., 1885. 
V. William Bike, b. Feb. 17, 1828; d. unmd. Nov. 

17, 1861. 
VI. Edwin Jeivett, b. Jan. 17, 1831 ; a farmer in Ash- 
burnham ; md. Nov. 27, 1862, Mary Elizabeth 
"Weston, dau. of James A. Westou, q. v. 

1. Edwin Weston, b. Aug. 20, 1863. 

2. Nellie Lizzie, b. Dec. 9, 1871. 

VII. Emma Lincoln, b. Jan. 30, 1833 ; md. April 26, 
1862, Charles E. Burnap of Fitehl)urg ; he d. 
; she md. (2d) Oct. 14, 1875, Jonas Wood., 



904 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



43 



44 



45 



b. Oct. 15, 1819, son of David and Mary (Earl) 
Wood. They reside in Rindge. 
VIII. Urania Anderson, b. Oct. 23, 1835; md. Jan. 1, 
1857, John P. Whitney, son of William and 
Fanny (Lincoln) Whitney of Ashby ; reside in 
Ashby. 
IX. Joseph Henry, b. Feb. 12, 1838; md. 1868, 
Martha C. Bradshaw ; md. (2d) 1879, Addie 
Modrel, both of Little Osage, Mo., where he 
resides. 



46 



47 

48 

49 

50 
51 



52 



Charles Stearns was b. in Leominster Aug. 23, 1796, 
son of Capt. Josiah and Ruth (Hunt) Stearns. He came 
to Ashburnham 1820 and for ten years owned and con- 
ducted the post route from Ashburnham to Worcester. 
He md. Jan. 1, 1824, Rebecca Greene Robbins, b. Feb. 
9, 1802, dau. of Baruch and Polly (Bailey) Robbins of 
Sterling. He removed at the time of his marriage to the 
house in which he lived until his death, and which is still 
occupied by his venerable widow and their eldest daughter. 
About 1830 he sold the post route to Ivers White and was 
subsequentl}' employed as a shoemaker. Mr. Stearns 
was a man of good ability, affable in manner and unfail- 
ing in kindness to his fellow-men. He was much em- 
ployed in town affairs. He was a deputy-sheriff ten years. 
He served his townsmen as selectman and on many impor- 
tant committees and was town clerk twenty-four years. 
The records by him transcribed are in a plain hand and in 
lucid and concise terms. He d. suddenly, July 11, 1874. 

I. Emma Hobart, b. Dec. 18, 1824; md. 1851, 
Charles Wright of Northfield, son of Phinehas 
and Betsey (Hunt) Wright. They resided in 
Worcester, Springfield, Ohio, and in Ashburn- 
ham, where he d. Jan. 1, 1880. 

II. Charles Lorenzo, b. Aug. 31, 1826; d. 1839. 

III. Rebecca Hill, b. Sept. 3, 1828 ; md. Capt. Addison 

A. Walker, q. v. 

IV. Josephine Pierce, b. Sept. 3, 1830 ; md. Hartwell 

Teuney, q. v. 
V. Francis Barnet, b. July 20, 1833 ; d. 1833. 
VI. George Henry, b. Sept. 28, 1834 ; in the Civil War 
was a musician in the Brigade Band, Twentieth 
Army Corps ; md. Jan., 1873, Martha J. Greene 
of Coleraine ; resides in Ashburnham. 
VII. Cassius Clement, b. Aug. 23, 1838 ; md. 1873, 
Gertrude Bottomly. His musical taste and 
ability were manifested at an early age, and his 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 905: 

proficient execution in boj'liood is pleasantly 
remembered b}' the residents of his native town. 
He pla3'ed the bass viol in the Congregational 
choir before his stature would permit him to 
reach the strings, and Mr. Miller, who was 
chorister at the time, made a cricket for him to 
stand upon. After a thorough study of the 
piano and organ with B. F. Leavens and of the 
violoncello witli Wulf Fries, he removed to 
Worcester in 1859, where he has been organist 
and director of music in several church choirs. 
But he is best known as a teacher and composer 
of music. His compositions include masses, 
church music, piano studies and songs. Mr. 
Stearns has given an apt expression of his love 
of his native town and a sensitive appreciation 
of its scenic attractions in several musical com- 
positions suggested by and dedicated to' the 
mountains and lakes of the landscape. 

Leonard Stearns, from New Ipswich, removed to this 
town in 1823. He resided on the old common and was 
engaged in trade a short time in the store formerly of the 
Gushing family and later of Charles Hastings and the 
Stimsons. In 1825 he returned to New Ipswich and in 
1833 he removed to Lincoln, where he d. in 1834, aged 
46 years. He md. Sarah Colburu of Lincoln. Among 
tlieir children Richard H. Stearns of the well-known dry 
goods firm of Boston was b. in this town Dec. 25, 1824. 



David Stedman lived in Ashburnham from about 1774 
to 1786. He was a soldier in the Revolution, an assessor 
1781 and 1782 and is frequentl3^ named in the records, 
but his early and later record is unknown. There is no 
record in this town of his marriage but Jesse and Betty 
are witnesses of the fact. 

I. Jesse, b. Dec. 11, 1781. 
II. Betty, b. Jan. 8, 1784. 



Joseph Steele lived many years in the north part of 
the town. The cellar hole at the "Steele place" is the 
only visible witness of his home. He is a sprightly, 
character in tradition and of no former resident of this 
town can one hear as much and learn as little. That he 
was a German is swiftly disputed by the assertion of 
others that he was an Irishman, qualified by a small 



906 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



minority who think he might have been a Yankee or an 
Enijlishman. Leaving a fruitful field of conjecture we 
find his name in the certainties of life — the tax list and 
record of death. He came to Ashburnham about 1790 
and d. Oct. 22, 1821, and an habitual doubt attended his 
decease as Mr. Gushing was uncertain of his age and 
records 85 or 86 years. His widow d. July 10, 1836. 



STEVENS. 

Samuel Small Stevens of Ashburnham was a descendant of the Chelms- 
ford family of Stevens, where his ancestors through several generations 
have resided. Samuel Stevens, a son of Richard Stevens, was b. in the 
Block House at Chelmsford 1708. He md. March 4, 1731, Ruth Wright of 
Westford and lived in Chelmsford, where he d. Dec. 21, 1792. Simeon 
Stevens, his son, b. 1735, md. July 19, 1764, Elizabeth Wright of Westford. 
He. d. in Chelmsford ,Tuly 22, 1815. His widow d. 1821. Abel Stevens, 
son of Simeon, b. in Chelmsford in April, 1775, lived in Westford. He md. 
Oct. 12, 1802, Betsey Putnam, dau. of John Putnam of Fitchburg. Among 
their children was Samuel Small Stevens of Ashburnham. 



Samuel Small Stevens was b. in Westford March 30, 
1807. He removed to this town in 1830 and for a short 
time he was in trade in the firm of Woods, Stevens & Co. 
He early began the manufacture of flag-seat chairs in 
this town. With succeeding years the business was 
enlarged and he built a new mill for its accommodation 
on the site of the present cotton factorj', at the head of 
Water street. In this mill for a number of years a variety 
of chairs was manufactured and the business assumed a 
considerable importance among the early industries of the 
town. While a resident of this town he was a public- 
spirited citizen and a consistent advocate of the reforms 
and public enterprises of the time. In 1844 he removed 
to Baltimore, Md., and for many years was largely en- 
gaged in the manufacture of chairs and furniture. In 
this business his sons participated and the firm of S, S. 
Stevens and Sons was widely and favorably known in the 
South and the West. Mr. Stevens was a prominent 
citizen of Baltimore and was highly esteemed by all who 
knew him. Through life he was sincere and responsive 
to the voice of his convictions. In 1848 he was a nominee 
of the Freesoil party for presidential elector and through 
the war he was firm and uncompromising in his ready 
support of the Union. He d. Dec. 2, 1875, leaving 
bequests to charitable and educational institutions amount- 
ing to over fifty thousand dollars. He md. Nov. 16, 
1830, Patty Osgood, b. in Westford 1809, dau. of Jacob 
and Patty (Fletcher) Osgood and granddau. of Pelatiah 
Fletcher, q. v. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



907 



I, Martha Atigicsta, b. April 3, 1833 ; d. May 25, 
1834. 

II. Samuel Augustus, b. May 11, 1836. For the past 
twenty or more years he has resided in Norfolk, 
Va., and is the founder of the carpet and 
furniture house of S. A. Stevens & Co. In 
this business he was successful. He has 
retired from active business and has been suc- 
ceeded by his son. He has frequently been 
elected to positions in municipal affairs and has 
served many years in City Council and was 
recorder three years. His loyalty to his native 
town is fully attested by frequent visits to the 
familiar scenes of his childhood. He md. June 
15, 1857, Frances Swan Ames, dau. of Samuel 
S. Swan of Westminster. Her mother md. 
(2d) Jacob Ames and the name was legally 
assumed. 

III. Charles P., b. April 11, 1840. He was associated 

with and succeeded his father in the furniture 
business in Baltimore. In 1880 he removed to 
Minneapolis, Minn., and is there an active 
merchant. He md. April 25, 1861, Mary E. 
Neilson, dau. of Robert Neilson of Baltimore, 
Maryland. 

IV. Francis Putnam, b. Oct. 4, 1842. He resides in 

Baltimore and is successfully engaged in the 
practice of law. He has occupied many 
positions of trust and at the age of twenty-four 
was elected to the Maryland Senate, and has 
frequently been a member of the City Council. 
He md. Sept. 27, 1864, Alexina Bouldier, dau. 
of Alexander Bouldier of Baltimore, Md. 



STEVENS. 

The lineage of George F. Stevens is traced to the early settlement of 
Andover. He is of the eighth generation from John Stevens whose name is 
preceded bj' only four in an ancient list of the first inhabitants of Andover. 
It is known that he settled there previous to 1644. He d. 16G2, leaving sons : 
John; Nathan, b. 1()44, the first male child b. in Andover; Epliraim, b. 1()49; 
Joseph and Benjamin, b. 1657. Of these none left sons to continue the 
name except John and Joseph. John, the eldest son, was b. before the 
removal of the family to Andover; he md. June 13, 1662, Hannah Barnard, 
dau. of Robert Barnard; she d. March 13, 1675; he md. (2d) Aug. 10, 1676, 
Esther Barker, dau. of Richard Barker. John Stevens, son of John and 
Hannah (Barnard) Stevens, b. Aug. 30, 1663, md. Dec 20, 168!), Ruth Poor. 
Their son John, b. Sept. 20, 1690, md. April 23, 1717, Elizabeth Chandler 
and had sons: John, Isaac, Thomas, Jonathan, Daniel, Bemsley and Simon. 
Of these Daniel Stevens, b. Jan. 27, 1728-9, not being tlie eldest son as had 
been the fortune of his ancestors through four generations, removed from 
the ancestral hive and became one of the early settler.s of Souhegan West, 



908 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



now Amherst, N. H. He nid. in Andover Sept. 25, 1750, Hannah Barker of 
Methuen. He d. in Amherst, N. H., May 30, 1806; she d. May 23, 1815. 
Daniel Stevens, Jr., b. April 8, 1751, md. 1771, Susannah Abbott, b. Dec. 
20, 1753. He. d. in Amherst, N. H., March 2, 1825; shed. May, 1830. Daniel 
F. Stevens, son of Daniel Stevens, Jr., b. Oct. 3, 1794, was a prominent 
citizen and for many years a merchant of Amherst, N. H., where he d. Jan. 21, 
1852. He md. May 17, 1832, Sophronia (Holt) Winchester, widow of 
William Winchester, q. r. ; shed. May 13, 18G6. 



George F. Stevens, son of Daniel F. and Sophronia 
Stevens, was b. in Amherst, N. H., Nov. 28, 1838. He 
was a merchant several 3'ears and town clerk of Amherst, 
N. H. After a brief residence in Minneapolis, Minn., 
he removed to Ashburnham in 1873. Daring his 
residence in this town he has been connected with the 
First National Bank, of which he has been cashier nearly 
eight j'ears and a director since 1881. He is one of the 
trustees of Gushing Academy and since 1879 he has been 
the treasurer of the corporation. In connection with 
these employments he is conducting a general insurance 
business and is dealing extensively in mortgage bonds and 
approved securities. During the past ten years Mr. 
Stevens has been elected town clerk and in this and other 
public affairs he has rendered the willing service of a good 
citizen. As a member of the committee of publication of 
the History of Ashburnham his counsel has been sought 
and his timelj^ suggestions have rendered more com- 
plete man}' features of the work. He md. June 6, 
1866, Mary Elizabeth Fletcher, dau. of Robert and Mary 
(Cochrane) Fletcher of Amherst, N. H. 



STICKNEY. 

The families of Stickney are numerous in this country but do not appear 
in the records of this town until 1871. The lineage of the general family is 
presented in " The Stickney Family" published in 1869. The American 
generations from Rowley to Ashburnham are William and Elizabeth Stick- 
ney, English ancestors who settled in Rowley in 1637; Samuel and Julian 
(Swan) Stickney of Rowley and Bradford; Samuel and Mary (Haseltine) 
Stickney of Bradford; Abraham and Abigail (Hall) Stickney of Billerica 
and Tewksbury; Abraham and Sarah (Kittredge) Stickney of Tewksbury; 
Joseph and Abigail (Jewett) Stickney of Townsend and Alvah and Rebecca 
W. (Spaulding) Stickney of Townsend. 



Dr. Alonzo Lawrence Stickney, b. in Townsend May 
26, 1835, son of Alvah and Rebecca W. (Spaulding) 
Stickney, removed to this town in 1871. Vide page 473. 
He md. Nov. 6, 1867, Elizabeth A. Hill of Sutton. 



(JKNEALOGICAL UKCxISTEll. 



909 




KESIUKNCE OF ALONZO L. STICKNKV, JI . 1>. 

STIMSON. 

Jonathan Stimson of Watertown Farms, now Weston, was admitted free- 
man April 18, 101)0. He was a witness in court Sept. 8, 1C74, and gave his 
age as thirty years. He md. Elizabeth Stubbs, dau. of Joshua and Abigail 
(Benjamin) Stubbs. He d. Dec. 22, 161)2. His eldest son was James Stim- 
son, b. 1674. He nid. Jan. 1, 1698-9, Bethia Mansfield and d. in Weston 
Feb. 18, 1744-5; his widow d. May 2, 1753. Among their eight children was 
Nathaniel Stimson, b. Aug. 10, 1709. He md. April 6, 1737, Elizabeth 
Myrick, b. Dec. 16, 1720, dau. of John and Abigail (Harrington) Myrick of 
Weston. He d. in Weston May 24, 1761 ; his widow md. (2d) April 8, 1779, 
Samuel Child, b. Feb. 5, 1718-19, son of Daniel and Beriah (Bemis) Child, 
his third marriage. Of the ten children of Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Myrick) 
Stimson, the two youngest were Lemuel and Phineas of Ashburnham. 



Lemuel Stimson, son of Nathaniel, was b. in Weston 
July 11, 1758. He was a soldier in the Revolution, 
participating in the battle of Bunker Hill and in a campaign 
at Ticonderoga. He md. Junel. 1780, Phebe Felton of 
Petersham, and the same year removed to Ashburnham, 
buying land, and soon after building a house which he 
occupied many years. He was one of the original 
Methodists in this town and was connected with them 
until his death. His wife d. Sept. 17, 1830 ; he md. (2d) 
May 9, 1833, Catherine Goodale ; he d. Sept. 22, 18-10. 
I. Polly, b. Nov. 0, 1780; md. Artemas Jackson of 
Newton. She d. March 18, 1806. 



910 



HISTORY OF ASHBUKNHAM. 



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II. Lydia, b. July 26, 1782 ; d. Sept. 16, 1782. 

III. Phebe, b. Sept. 18, 1783 ; md. James Whitmore, 

q. V. 

IV. Amos, b. Dec. 6, 1785 ; d. March 14, 1795. 
V. Royal, b. March 6, 1788. + 

VI. Lemuel, b. Aug. 7, 1790 ; d. Dec. 25, 1791. 
VII. Edward, b. Oct. 3, 1792.-f 
VIII. Charles, b. May 9, 1795.-]- 
IX. Abigail, b. May 24, 1797; md. Isaac Keyes of 

Cambridge ; shed. June 24, 1861. 
X. Lucy, b. Aug. 20, 1799 ; md. Dea. John C. Davis, 

q. V. 
XI. Elmira, b. Dec. 4, 1802; md. Oct. 10, 1826, 
Benjamin Whitney, b. May 25, 1802, son of 
Benjamin and Nancy (Fuller) Whitney. They 
resided in Marlboro', N. H., where she d. May 
12, 1862. Thi-ee children. 
XII. Elbridge, b. April 6, 1806. + 
XIII. Mirick, b. Aug. 15, 1808. -|- 



RoYAL Stimson removed in early life to Cambridge, 
where he was engaged in the livery business and in the 
sale of wood. In business he was methodical, exact and 
successful. In his daily life he was above reproach and 
was respected by his neighbors and business associates. 
To the deserving charities that appealed to his generosity 
and philanthropy he was responsive, and his benefactions 
were many and liberal. To his memory shall be in- 
scribed, " Blessed is he that considereth the poor." He 
md. Sept. 2, 1813, Relief Walker, b. in Merrimack, N. 
H., July 22, 1787, dau. of Capt. Zaccheus Walker, q. v. 
He d. in Cambridge Nov. 4, 1860 ; she d. . 

I. Fordyce, b. March 19, 1814; md. Sarah Hersey ; 
md. (2d) Mary Lord. He resides in Cambridge 
where he has honorably filled many positions of 
trust. 
II. Royal W., d. young. 

in. Amelia B., b. April 5, 1818; md. May 4, 1843, 
Andrew N. Wyeth, b. April 29, 1817, son of 
Job and Lj'dia (Converse) Wyeth ; reside in 
Cambridge. 
IV. Royal W., h. March 10, 1820; d. young. 
V. Ann M., b. Oct. 20, 1822; md. David N. Cham- 
berlain. He is a merchant and a respected 
citizen in Cambridge. 
VI. Charles E., b. Feb. 27, 1825 ; d. March 26, 1828. 
VII. Rebecca F., b. Oct. 22, 1827; d. March 7, 1836. 



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34 



35 
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GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 911 

P^DWARD Stimson md. May 24, 1818, Sarah P'oster, b. 
April 6, 1794. In 1822 they removed to Winchester, N. 
H., where he d. Aug. 8, 1843 ; his widow d. in Medford 
Feb. 14, 1866. 

I. Edioard F.., b. June 17, 1819 ; resides in Win- 
chester, N. H. 
II. Emeline, b. Feb. 7, 1821 ; md. Joshua Fletcher, 
q. V. 
Warren J., b. Feb. 13, 1823 ; d. Sept. 21, 1825. 
Alden M., h. Oct. 24, 1825 ; d. in Medford Nov. 

16, 1878. 
Emorij G., b. Dec. 8, 1828. 

James F., b. Aug. 29, 1831 ; d. March 28, 1832. 
Arvilla M^., b. Nov. 4, 1833. 
Charles M., b. July 19, 1836. 
IX. Royal D., b. Oct. 15, 1837. 



24 


III. 


;25 


IV. 


56 


V. 


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VI. 


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VII. 


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VIII. 


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IX. 



Charles Stimson md. May 30, 1820, Beulah AVhitmore, 
dau. of Isaac Whitmore, q. v. He was engaged in wool 
carding on the North Turupike several years. He d. Feb. 
26, 1830 ; she d. Feb. 5, 1869. 

I. Almira W., b. May 29, 1826; md. Alfred W^hit- 

more, q. v. 

II. Aurelia Felt on ^ b. Oct. 15, 1828 ; md. July 3, 

1855, Varamus P. Parkhui'st of Templeton. 
She d. in Templeton May 12, 1862. 



Elbridge Stimson md. June 5, 1833, Elizabeth Cald- 
well, dau. of John Caldwell, q. v. ; she d. Nov. 15, 1878. 
In early life he was a merchant a few years on the old 
common, and subsequently has been actively engaged in 
manufacturing and tanning. In his business he has been 
exact and methodical and has been successful. He has 
been an assessor and town treasurer. 

I. Frederic, b. May 27 ; d. May 28, 1835. 
II. (7/iarZesX., b. Aug 15, 1836. Fide page 462. He 
is a machinst and iron founder at Rutland, Vt. 
He md. Frances H. Mansfield. 
III. Albert F., b. March 5, 1840 ; d. Feb. 6, 1845. 



MiRiCK Stimson began as a merchant on the old 
common and was in trade several years in Gardner. For 
the past twenty years he has conducted a store at Lane 
Village. He was formerly a member of the Ashburuham 
Light Infantry, and has been an overseer of the poor and 



912 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



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39 



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41 



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43 
44 

45 



46 



47 
48 
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a selectman. He md. Sept. 14, 1834, Sarah J. Barrett^ 
dau. of Col. Charles Barrett, q. v. She d. Oct. 22, 1843 ; 
md. (2d) April 17, 1844, Charlotte E. D. Salisbury, b. in 
Lee, Vt., Jan. 31, 1821. 

I. Sarah Elizabeth, b. May 22, 1835 ; d. Aug. 19, 

1835. 
II. Charles, b. Sept 4, 1837; d. Nov. 19, 1846. 

III. Sarah Delia, b. May 13, 1845; md. Nov. 19, 

1868, Arthur Wells Field, b. Oct. 2, 1846, son 
of Dexter and Celinda (Spooner) Field ; reside 
in Chelsea. 

IV. Charles Mirick, b. Sept. 29, 1847 ; md. Sept. 13, 

1876, Flora M. Tuckerman, dau. of Henry 
Tuckerman, q. v. ; resides in Worcester. 
V. Frederic Salisbiiry, b. June 3, 1853 ; md. Nov. 
25, 1874, Ellen L. Davis ; md. (2d) Nov. 10, 
1881, Laura Agnes Dodwell. He is a com- 
mision merchant in Boston. 



Phineas Stimson, a brother of Lemuel, was b. in 
Weston March 6, 1761, and came to Ashburnham about 
1785, where he resided until his death. He md. Dec. 1, 
1785, Lucy Lawrence. He d. Oct. 21, 1828. 

I. Sally, b. June 13, 1786; md. Dec. 12, 1822, 
Jacob Sticknej', b. in Lunenburg Feb. 8, 1770, 
son of Oliver and Hannah (Stiles) Stickney. 
They lived in Fitchburg, where he d. April 18, 
1857; shed. 1832. One child. 
II. Betsey, b. Nov. 8, 1787. 

III. Dolly, b. Feb. 26, 1789; md. Dec. 26, 1816, 

Elijah Carter of Fitchburg. 

IV. Reuben, b. Sept. 25, 1791 ; resided in Boston and 

in Walpole, N. H., where he d. No record of 
his family has been secured. 

V. Phineas, b. April 26, 1794; md. Jan. 30, 1817, 

Rhoda Metcalf; resided in Milford, N. H., 
where both died. 

VI. John, b. Nov. 1, 1797; d. Sept. 30, 1800. 

VII. Lucy, b. Jan. 31, 1801 ; md. Caleb Sawtell, q. v. 

VIII. Bexilah, b. Aug. 31, 1804; md. . 

IX. Lawrence Pitt, b. June 16, 1806; d. Dec. 24, 
1821. 



Solomon H. Stoddard, b. in Chesterfield, N. H., Nov. 
27, 1819, son of Charles and Lovisa (Brigham) Stoddard. 
He md. Feb. 10, 1858, Ellen Willard, dau. of Silas 



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GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 913 

Willard, q. v. He is a carpenter. With exception of a 
brief residence in Brattleborough, Vt., and in Fitcliburg, 
he has resided in this town over thirty years. 

I. Cora H., b. Dec. 6, 1858; md. March 20, 1879, 
Merrit H. Holton of Fitchburg. He d. May 30, 
1884. 

11. C. Mabel, b. Feb. 27, 1861 ; d. Sept. 25, 1861. 

HI. Leslie Willard, b. May 24, 1862. 

IV. Bertha Belle, b. Sept. 25, 1868. 



Ephraim Stone, witli wife and sons Oliver and Joseph, 
came to this town from Harvard in 1767. He was at this 
time about sixty ^^ears of age. A record of his marriage 
has not been secured and I am unable to trace his lineage. 
]\Iany letters have been written and only a few have been 
answered. He was a selectman 1770 and for several 
3'ears he is frequently named in the records. He d. Nov. 
9, 1789, aged 83 years; his wife d. Nov. 6, 1789. It is 
probable there were other children but I have found 
record of only two. 

I. Oliver, b. Aug. 22, 1739.+ 
11. Josep]i.-{- 



Oliver Stone, son of Ephraim, removed from Harvard 
1767. In 1775 he was a sergeant in Capt. Davis' com- 
pany of minute-men. At this time he was one of the 
board of selectmen. In subsequent years he was fre- 
quently elected to office and was an influential citizen. 
He md. Dec. 30, 1762, Lucy Willard, b. Aug. 26, 1743, 
dau. of Tarbell and Rachel (Haskel) Willard. He d. 
June 17, 1813 ; his wife d. Oct. 11, 1806. 

I. Oliver, b. Jan. 28, 1764.+ 
II. Lucy, b. Feb. 8, 1766 ; md. Willard Lane, q. v. 

III. Rachel, b. Dec. 5, 1768; deaf and dumb; she d. 

unmd. May 27, 1837. 

IV. Ephrctim, b. Dec. 30, 1770; he was an eminent 

physician of Harvard. 
V. Dolly, b. March 24, 1773 ; md. 1806, Henry Bacon 

of Boston ; he d. Feb. 21, 1838 ; she d. Oct. 13, 

1856. 
VI. Hosea, b. Sept. 3, 1776. -f 
VII. Joseph, b. Sept. 22, 1783 ; resided in Harvard. 

No record of his famil}^ has been received. 

Among his children is Joseph Lyman Stone 

of the firm Stone and Downer, Custom House 

brokers of Boston. 

58 



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914 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



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VIII. Emma, h. May 22, 1787; md. Moses Watson of 
Rochester, N. H. ; she d. Oct. 26, 1838, leaving 
six children. 



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Joseph Stone, sou of Ephraim, was a drummer in Capt. 
Gates' company 1775 and was in the service in New Jer- 
sey in 1778. He md. Feb. 2, 1773, Susanna Gates. He 
was a farmer and lived on the farm now owned by the 
town. He was styled Capt. Stone but no record of his 
commission has been found. He was the principal advo- 
cate in this town of the county road leading from Win- 
chendon to Leominster and passing by his farm. His 
wife d. Sept. 11, 1814, aged 61 years. 

I. Milly, b June 2, 1773 ; md. John Corey, q. v. 
11. Joseph, b. June 20, 1775; md. March 5, 1799, 
Dorothy Wilder, dan. of Samuel Wilder, Esq., 
q. v., and removed from town two or three years 
after marriage. 

1. Horace Wilder, bap. May 25, 1800. 

III. Ezra, b. Feb. 1, 1778; succeeded his father on 

the homestead which he sold to Joseph Davis, 
who sold it to the town. He md. 1806, Char- 
lotte Cooper of Westminster, b. 1780, dau. of 
Jedediah and Mary (Hall) Cooper. They had 
children : Mary, Chauncy and Alanson, and 
about 1840 removed to Milwaukee, Wis. 

IV. Matilda, b. Nov. 28, 1781 ; md, Josiah White, 
q. V. 

V. Amos D., b. Feb. 8, 1788; md. Feb. 23, 1809, 

Nancy Hayden. 
VI. Ephraim, b. Oct. 1, 1791 ; d. Oct. 7, 1794. 
VII. Lucy, b. Dec. 6, 1793 ; md. Jonas Corey, g, v. 



Oliver Stone, son of Oliver, md. Nov. 2, 1784, Nancy 
Clark. He lived at the centre of the town, where he d. 
Sept. 11, 1794. His widow d. Jan. 19, 1837. 

I. Nancy, b. Feb. 13, 1786 ; md. Benjamin Barrett, 

q. V. 
II. Betsey, b. May 14, 1792 ; md. Oliver Barrett, q. v. 



CoL. HosEA Stone, son of Oliver, was a hatter in. 
Central Village. His name frequently appears in the 
chapters of this volume and is honorably enrolled in the 
annals of Ashburnham. He was town clerk, selectman, 
representative and often chosen on important committees. 



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25 
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GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. <)15 

Tn military affairs lie manifested an equal interest and 
was a popular and etiieieut otllcer. He was a captain of 
the Light Infantry 1818-20, and subsequently a major 
and lieutenant-colonel of the regiment. He was not 
merely a prominent citizen in a quiet era of the town's 
history, but he was a strong man among able associates, 
successfully competing for honors with the Jewetts, 
George R. Gushing, Esq., Silas Willard, Esq., Gol. 
Gharles Barrett, Reuben Towusend, Esq., Gol. Enoch 
Whitmore and other worthies of his time. He md. Nov. 
27, 1806, Betsey Gibson, b. Dec. 24, 177!), dau. of Dea. 
Samuel and Dolly Gibson of Eitchburg and a sister of the 
wife of Ensign John Adams. He d. Sept. 22^ 1850 ; his 
wife d. April 18, 1846. 

1. Hosea Gibson, b. Aug. 14, 1809. -(- 



HosEA G. Stone md. July 2, 1846, Esther P. Adams, 
dau. of Milton Adams, q. v. He was a kind neighbor 
and a worthy citizen. He d. Jan. 21, 1885. The home- 
stead opposite the school-house in the first district is 
retained and occupied by the famil}*. 

I. Betsey, b. Dec. 7, 1749 ; md. Sept. 19, 1878, Eli 

H. Derby. 
II. Esther, b. Sept. 3, 1850; d. April 22, 1855. 

III. Hosea, b. Oct. 20, 1853. 

IV. Joseph, b. Oct. 8, 1855 ; d. May 23, 1862. 

V. Ephraim, b. June 23, 1858 ; md. Dec. 16, 1885, 

Mary L. Howe, dau. of Orange E. Howe, q. v. 
VI. Esther, b. Aug. 27, 1859. 
VII. Oliver, b. Aug. 14, 1861. 
VIII. Emma W., b. Sept. 19, 1864. 
IX. Joseph, b. Feb. 10, 1870. 



Samuel Stone lived in this town a few years immedi- 
ately preceding the Revolution. It is possible that he 
was a son of Ephraim and a brother of Oliver and Joseph 
Stone, and if so he probably came to this town in 1767. 
He md. Dec. 28, 1773, Elizabeth Rich, dau. of John 
Rich, q. V. He d. Jan. 3, 1775, aged 24 years. In 
regard to the circumstances of his death, Mr. Gushing 
says : "He perished in consequence of getting lost. He 
left his house Wednesday morning and having lost the 
points of compass he wandered that day and night and 
was not found and brought home until Saturday night. 
He was a pitiful object ; his feet were frozen as hard as 
flesh could be. He died Sabbath night in great anguish." 



916 



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37 
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39 

40 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 
I. Samvel, b. April 20, 1775 ; posthumous. 

Dea. Peter Stone was b. Nov. 28, 1757; he was a 
son of Rev. Nathan Stone, the first minister of Southboro'. 
Hemd. May 26, 1782, Elizabeth Estabrook and removed 
to this town in 1786 or 1787. He was chosen deacon 
1788 and removed to Townsend 1799. 

I. Windsor, b. Jan. 25, 1786. 

II. Peter, b. May 13, 1788. 
m. Betsey, b. July 17, 1791. 
IV. Abigail, b. April 14, 1794. 

V. Nathan, bap. Feb. 5, 1797. 



John C. Stone removed to this town 1879. He is a 
son of Ai and Harriet (Hadle}') Stone {vide Hadley reg- 
ister), a grandson of Benjamin and Lucy (Wheeler) 
Stone and great-grandson of Samuel and Martha (Wilder) 
Stone. Samuel Stone was from Groton and settled at an 
early date in Winchendon. In 1785 his farm was 
included in Gardner and is now owned by the town, and 
known as the Gardner Poor Farm. 

John C. Stone md. April 23, 1870, Harriet Ella Bemis, 
dau. of Reuben and Harriet (Perkins) Bemis of Winchen- 
don. He owns the Central House and other real estate 
and was manager of the hotel from 1879 to 1886, when he 
leased the property to Ezra H. Lovell. 



STOWE. 

Only one family bearing this name has been resident of Ashburnham. In 
1634 John Stowe from England, with his wife Elizabeth and six children, settled 
in Roxbury, Mass. He was made freeman the same year, and in 1638 was a 
member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, and a representa- 
tive in 1639. Thomas Stowe, his son, b. in England, was a resident of 
Concord in 1640, and previous to 1660 he removed to Middletown, Conn. 
His son, Samuel, b. 1645, returned from Connecticut and settled in Marlboro' 
previous to 1677. In this settlement he was prominent, and much employed 
in public affairs, and also served in the Indian wars. He d. Feb. i), 1721; 
his wife Elizabeth d. June 17, 1737. Thomas Stowe, their son, b. Dec. 27, 
1682, md. Jan. 20, 1713, Hannah Johnson, b. July 20, 1691, dau. of William 
and Hannah Johnson of Marlboro'. He d. in Marlboro' Aug. 28, 1765 ; she 
d. June 15, 1789. They had sixteen children, and among them Benjamin 
Stowe, b. Aug. 25, 1718. He md. Dorcas Stone, b. April 11, 1725, dau. of 
Joseph and Mary Stone of Lexington. Tliey settled in Harvard, where their 
five children were b. Of these, Manassah Stowe md. Mary Whitcorab of 
Littleton, Mass., and settled in Hillsboro', N. H., where he was killed in 1790 
while felling trees, leaving one son and two daughters. Benjamin Stowe, son 
of Manassah Stowe, b. in Hillsboro', N. H., March 21, 1784, md. Feb. 18, 
1813, Betsey Ager, sister of Ebenezer Ager.g-. v., and d. in Rindge Aug. 21, 
1869 ; his wife d. Dec. 11, 1861. David Stowe, b. Feb. 24, 1815, md. Nov. 8, 
1842, Mary Converse, dau. of Joshua Converse, Esq., of Rindge. They 
resided a short time in North Ashburnham and at the organization of the 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



917 



Union church he served on several committees and a part of the original 
papers were drafted by him. He was an educated gentleman, of unblemished 
character. He d. July 7, 1877. His son Mortimer M. Stowe is a resident 
of this town and a daughter is the wife of Charles H. White, q. v. 



Mortimer M. Stowe, b. Jan. 22, 1844, enlisted Jan. 
8, 1862 ; re-enlisted 1864 ; corporal in Light Battery C, 
Third Rhode Island Artillery ; participating in siege of 
Charleston, 1863, and in the engagements near Petersburg 
and Richmond, 1864-5. He md. July 8, 1862, Sarah Jane 
Oliver. Since 1873 he has resided in this town. He is a 
deacon of the Congregational church and has been over- 
seer of the poor several years. 

I. CUfto7i Ellmvorth, b. March 28, 1866 ; d. Dec. 5, 

1885. 
II. Harold Clair, b. Nov. 5, 1867. 



Jeremiah Stowell, son of John and Susannah (Todd) 
Stowell, was b. in Temple June 5, 1791. He came to this 
town 1814, and was associated in business a few years 
with his brothers Joshua and Moses. He removed to 
New York. 

Joshua Stowell, a brother of Jeremiah, was b. in 
Temple May 12, 1789, and removed to this town in 1814. 
He md. July 2, 1815, Lydia Hastings, dau. of Capt, 
Charles Hastings, q. v. ; she d. March 19, 1829 ; he md. 
(2d) April 22, 1834, Sally Davis, dau. of Amos Davis, 
q. V. He was engaged several years in wool carding and 
cloth dressing on the North Turnpike and subsequently 
was a farmer. He d. July 8, 1880. 

I. Harriet A., b. March 7, 1816 ; d. unmd. 
II. 3foses A., b. July 31, 1817 ; d. in Cuba Sept. 19, 
1847. 

III. Otis Whiting, b. Nov. 13, 1819 ; md. June 10, 

1848, Mrs. Mary Ann Garnett. He resides in 
New York city. Three children were b. in 
Ashburnham. 

1. Ada L., b. July 22, 1849. 

2. John M., b. Sept. 2, 1850; md. Helen 

Rector ; resides in New York city. 

3. Ella J., b. Jan. 30, 1852; md. Oren 

Rice, son of Joseph Rice. q. v. 

IV. JoJin C, b. Oct. 1, 1823 ; was a printer and editor 

in Lowell. He was a soldier in the brigade 
commanded by Gen. Franklin Pierce of New 



918 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



Hampshire in the Mexican War and was mor- 
tally wounded in the assault upon Churubusco 
in August, 1847. 



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13 

14 
15 
16 



17 

18 



19 



Moses Stowell, twin brother of Joshua, was b. in 
Temple May 12, 1789. He was engaged with his 
brothers in wool carding and cloth dressing and subse- 
quently removed to Leominster in 1836. He returned to 
this town after an absence of about four years. He md. 
Dec. 20, 1829, Mary Chesmore of Heuniker, N. H. He 
d. Jan. 19, 1870 ; she d. March 26, 1872. 

I. Elvira, b. March 7, 1826 (adopted) ; rad. Town- 
send Barrett, q. v. 
II. Charles Newman, b. June 29, 1830; resided in 
Burlington, N. J. ; d. unmd. April 26, 1884. 

III. Jeremiah Thomas, b. Sept. 5, 1831 ; md. Oct. 26, 

1853, Sarah E. Wilson, dau. of John Wilson, 
g. V. ; resided in this town until 1879, when he 
removed to Wilmot, Dakota Territor3\ 

IV. Susan Todd, b. March 28, 1833 ; unmd. ; a milli- 

ner in New York city. 
V. Emily Newton, b. Jan. 29, 1835 ; md. Stephen C. 
Hastings, q. v. 

VI. Joshua Todd, b. May 10, 1837 ; md. 1860, Eunice 
L. Whipple ; he md. (2d) Dec. 29, 1874, Elvira 
L. Green, dau. of Lewis and Asenath (Butter- 
field) Green of Antrim, N. H. He resides near 
the school-house in the ninth district. He 
served one year in the 25th Regiment. 
VII. George S., b. March 23, 1839 ; d. Jan. 20, 1847. 
VIII. Hansom Gibson, h. July 12, 1841 ; 53d Regiment; 
removed to Burlington, N. J. ; md. 1865, 
Martha M. Fox ; resides in Burlington, N. J. 

IX. SaraJi Lucinda, b. Oct. 8, 1843 ; md. Jan. 10, 
1867, Lyman T. Lovewell, son of Isaac and 
Eliza (Moulton) Lovewell of Gardner; resides 
in Antrim, N. H. 



Jonathan Taylor, a son of David and Hannah Taylor, 
was b. in Bedford Feb. 27, 1729. He md. in Concord 
Aug. 29, 1754, Mar^' Jones, and resided in Bedford until 
he removed to this town in the spring of 1768. He settled 
on the farm now owned and occupied by his great-grand- 
son, Daniel Wheeler. In 1773 he was an assessor and 
the following year a selectman. Subsequently he was 
often elected to positions in town affairs and during the 
Revolution his public service was conspicuous. He was 



(9) 



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11 

12 

13 
14 

15 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 9^9 

a member of the provincial congress which assembled at 
Concord m the autumn of 1774, and in 1774, '75 and '76 
he was a member of the committee of correspondence. 
When the Lexington alarm was sounded in this town he 
bore a musket to the scene of hostilities. His name and 
that of his eldest son, Jonathan Taylor, Jr., are found on 
the roll of Capt. Davis' company. During the active 
years of his life no resident of this town exerted a more 
salutary influence, and in integrity, candor, patriotism 
and all the elements of manhood and good citizenship he 
had no superiors. He d. Oct. 21, 1813, aged 84 years. 
His wife d. Dec. 21, 1811. Six children b. in Bedford 
and two in Ashburnham. 

I. Jonathan, b. May 29, 1755; md. 1784, Hannah 

Taylor. 
II. David, b. April 23, 1757; md. Martha Bennett. 

III. Mary, b. Oct. 3, 1759; d. unmd. 

IV. Lucy, b. June 15, 1762 ; d. unmd. Dec. 16, 1813. 
Y. Sarah, h.Yeb. 19, 1764; md. March 10, 1795, 

William Wheeler, son of John Wheeler; they 
resided in New Ipswich. 
VI. Lydia, b. July 24, 1766: d. unmd. 
VII. Elizabeth, b. Dec. 27, 1768; md. Samuel Wheeler, 

sun of John Wheeler, q. v. 
VIII. Nathan, b. March 14, 1771.-J- 



Nathan Taylor, b. March 14, 1771, md. Sept. 15, 
1803, Rhoda Marble, dau. of Oliver Marble, q. v. He 
was a thrifty farmer and occupied the farm now of his 
sons, near the homestead of his father. He was a good 
citizen and a man of irreproachable character. He d. 
Oct. 25, 1851, aged 80 3'ears. 

I. Nathan M., b. May 11, 1804; unmd.; a farmer 

on the homestead. 
II. Rhoda, b. July 17, 1805; md. Daniel Wheeler, 
son of Samuel Wheeler, q. v. 

III. Oliver, b. Jan. 13, 1807 ; unmd. ; a farmer on the 

homestead. 

IV. William, b. Jan. 17, 1809 ; d. unmd. Feb. 9, 1836. 
V. Deborah B., b. Nov. 29, 1812; unmd. ; resides on 

the homestead with her brothers. 



Phinehas Taylor, lineage not traced, with wife Sarah, 
removed to Ashburnham about 1778. He resided in the 
south part of the town. He d. in June, 1833. His 



920 



lliSTUliV OF ASIIBUKNIIAM. 



16 



17 


II. 


18 


III. 


19 


IV. 


20 


V. 


21 


VI. 



22 

23 
24 
25 

26 

27 
28 

29 



widow d. July 29, 1842, aged 83 years. Another record 
states her death July 29, 1843. i'he former is probably 
correct. 

I. Sarah, b. April 11, 1779; md. Sept. 3, 1805, 
Simon Gates, son of Simon and Susan (Reed) 
Gates of Gardner. Six children b. in Gardner. 

3folly, b. Oct. 16, 1780; d. June 3, 1781. 

Fhinehas, b. June 2, 1782 ; d. May 6, 1794. 

Polhj, b. Oct. 16, 1785 ; d. Nov. 10, 1789. 

Lois, b. Jan. 17, 1788; d. Feb. 20, 1799. 

Lucy, b. Oct. 29, 1790 ; resided many years in this 
town ; d. in Gardner unmd. 
VII. Ej)hraim, b. July 25, 1793; md. Nov. 2, 1815, 
Anna Rice, dau. of Reuben Rice, q. v., and 
resided in this town several years. Two of their 
five children d. young. 

1. Martha Ann, b. Dec. 24, 1819; md. 

Charles Clark, son of Levi Clark, q. v. 

2. Sarah R , b. April 24, 1822 ; md. John N. 

Hastings, q. v. 

3. Eunice, b. May 15, 1824; md. Simeon 

Merritt, q. v. 

VIII. Nathaniel, b. Dec. 10, 1795; was a merchant in 
New Orleans, where he d. unmd. 
IX. Clarissa, b. May 5, 1798 ; d. June 26, 1803, 
X. 3Iilly, b. June 20, 1801 ; lived with her sister 
Lucy; d. unmd. Feb., 1841. 



30 



Capt. Samuel A. Taylor, son of Aaron and Louisa 
(Crane) Taylor, was b. in Westminster March 23, 1827. 
His father cl. when he was a child and at six years of age 
he found a home in the family of Nathaniel F. Cutter who 
was a relative. He was a man of good ability and of 
unblemished character. In 1860 he was commissioned a 
lieutenant in the Ashburnham Light Infantry, and the 
following year he entered the service with his company in 
the 21st Regiment. Jan. 24, 1862, he was promoted to 
first lieutenant, and May 28 of the same year he was 
promoted to captain. lie resigned Jan. 13, 1863, and was 
subsequently an officer in the Fourth Heavy Artillery. 
He md. Nov. 11, 1852, Julia A. Davis, b. in Templeton 
March 13, 1831, dau. of Abel and Lucy (Partridge) 
Davis. He d. July 6, 1869. His widow resides at Pratt, 
Kansas. 

I. Charles Austin, b. March 31, 1856. 



GENEALOGICAL KEGISTER. 



921 



31 11. Willie Davis, b. Aug. 23, 1858 ; d. June 23, 
1863. 

32 III. Etta Jane, h. Nov. 2, 1863. 

Hartwell Tenney was b. in Marlboro', N. H., April 
4, 1825. He is a son of Archie and Susanna (Jones) 
Tenney, a grandson of William and Mehitable (Jones) 
Tenney of Marlboro', N. H., and a great-grandson of 
William and Sarah (Proctor) Tenney of Littleton. He 
removed to this town 1862, where he has since resided. 
He md. July 18, 1850, Josephine P. Stearns, dan. of 
Charles Stearns, Esq., q. v. Two children b. in Marl- 
boro', N. H., and one in Ashburnham. 

I. Nellie Josephine, b. Sept. 6, 1857; d. July 31, 
1859. 

3 II. Charles Steaims,}). Sept 27, 1860. 

4 III. 3fabel Winthrop, b. July 6, 1863. 



TOTTINGHAM. 

The families of Tottingham have not been numerous but the name has 
been continuous on the records for a century. They are descendants of Henry 
Tottingham who was b. in England and in 1G40 was residing in Charlestown. 
He removed to Woburn and was taxed there in 1645 and continued a resi- 
dence in that town. The birth of two children of this Henry and his wife 
Anna Tottingham are recorded in Woburn ; of these Eliah Tottingham, b. 

Feb. 28, 1652, nid. Mary , and lived in Woburn where he d. Nov. 27, 

1717. Elisha Tottingham, fifth of the eight children of Eliah, was b. July 
22, 1696; also lived in Woburn where he d. March 29, 1743. By wife 
Rebecca he had six children. The eldest son was Elisha, b. Oct. 18, 1713. 
He md. May 27, 1736, Sarah Lawrence and lived in Woburn. They are the 
ancestors of the Ashburnham families. * 



Moses Tottingham, b. in Woburn July 22, 1746, Avas 
a son of Elisha and Sarah (Lawrence) Tottingham and of 
the fifth generation of his family in this' country. He 
came to Ashburnham about 1772, and from an early date 
and perhaps from the time of his anival he was a black- 
smith near the old common. He had many apprentices 
to whom he taught the mysteries of the trade. The old 
shop and the burly form of its occupant still live in the 
traditions of the town. He md. Sept. 8, 1774, P^lizabeth 
Conant, dau. of Ebenezer Conant ; she d. Jan. 5, 1777; 
md. (2d) Oct. 17, 1785, Mary Samson, dau. of Jonathan 
Samson. He d. Feb. 7, 1831 ; she d. Dec. 23, 1817. 

I. Mary, b. Oct. 23, 1786. 

II. Elizabeth, b. Feb. 8, 1788; d. Jan. 25, 1795. 
III. Sarah, b. Dec. 13, 1789. 



922 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



9 
10 

(5) 



11 

12 
13 
14 

15 

16 
17 

18 

19 

(10) 

20 
21 



IV, Moses, b. April 18, 1791. -[- 
V. Asa, h. Feb. 24, 1793 ; d. immd. Nov. 26, 1880. 
VI. Ephraim, b. May 7, 1794; d. Aug. 9, 1795. 
VII. David, b. Sept. 18, 1796 ; lived alone many years 
iu northwest part of the town ; d. iinmd. May 
23, 1875. 

VIII. Infant, b. ; d. March 6, 1800. 

IX. Abraham S., b. April 30, 1802. -|- 



MosEs ToTTiNGHAM, Jii., md. , Olive Bigelow, and 

lived in the northwest part of the town. His wife d. 
April 19, 1.S63 ; he d. Jan. 2, 1867. 



I. Levi Bigelow, b. April 11, 1820; md. 



1845, 



Arvilla A. Small, dau.-of Joseph Small, g. v. 
He was a farmer on the Fletcher farm now 

occupied by Aaron B. Bixby. He d. ; she 

md. (2d) Alpheus Bosworth of Wiuchendon. 

-, 1847; d. April 5, 



II. 
III. 



1. Eos well T., b. 

1848. 

2. Omar D., b. March 25, 1849 ; md. Ellen 

Moodis ; resides in Oakham. 

3. Emma Ida, b. March 27, 1853 ; md. Charles 

Bosworth, son of Alpheus Bosworth of 
Winchendon. 

4. Elmer L., b. Sept. 14, 1857. 

Lucy, b. Aug 24, 1823 ; d. Sept. 16, 1841. 
Olive, b. Sept. 13, 1826; md. Aug. 26, 1847, 

Jesse P. Wellman. She d. Marchl, 1848. 
Polly (twin), b. Sept. 13, 1826 ; md. Joseph Small, 

q. V. 
Harriet, b. Jan. 9, 1828 ; md. Isaiah Crosby ; 

md. (2d) Henry Weeks. She d. in Worcester 

about 1870. 



Abraham S. Tottingham md. , 1822, Sarah M, 

Taft, dau. of Marvin Taft of Whitingham. He resided 
in Winchendon a few years but returned to Ashburnham 

about 1826, and in he removed to Westminster, 

where he d. Dec. 21, 1880 ; his wife d. June 27, 1860. 

I. Henry Edwin, b. Aug. 15, 1823 ; md. 1827, Lucy 
Bartlett ; lived in Keene, N. II., where he d. 
March, 1865. 
II. Marvin Taft, b. March 31, 1825 ; md. Jan. 30, 
1851, Ellen Hill, b. in Fitzwilliam, N. H., 
March 9, 1831, dau. of Samuel and Nancy 



22 



23 



24 



GENEALOGICAL REGrSTEU. 923 

(Locke) Hill. He is an ornamental painter in 
Keene, N. H. For several years past an 
invalid. 
III. Charles Newton., b. Sept 11, 1828; md. July 15, 
1851, Rhoda M. Titus. lie is a manufacturer 
of carriages and sleighs in Keene, N. H. 

Nathaniel Tottingiiam, who removed to this town 
1838, was a grandson of Nathaniel Tottingham who was 
a brother of Moses of Ashburuham, and a son of Elisha 
and Sarah (Lawrence) Tottingham. He was b. in 
Woburn June 10, 1740; md. Aug. 16, 1770, Esther 
Brown, b. in Lexington Aug. 12, 1743, dau. of Daniel 
and Anne (Bright) Brown. He removed to Westminster. 
His son Elisha Tottingham, b. in Westminster March 11, 
.1773, md. June 20, 1817, Clarissa P. Brown. Their son 
Nathaniel Tottingham, b. in Westminster March 10, 
1818, md. Oct. G, 1842, Harriet R. Page, b. in Marlow, 
N. H., March 23, 1824, dau. of Charles and Elizabeth 
(Warren) Page. He lived after 1838 in this town where 
he d. May 26, 1874. His widow resides on the homestead 
in Central Village. 

I. Henry J., b. May 20, 1847. For several years 
and until 1885, he was a dry goods merchant in 
AYinchendon. He md. June 3, 1869, Ella M. 
Brown of Clinton. 



9 

10 
11 



Joshua Towxsend, b. about 1725, and wife Mary 
removed to Shrewsbury about 1760. They probably lived 
previously in AVestboro'. Their youngest children were 
b. in Shrewsbury. The homestead by a change in town 
lines is now in Boylston. In 1780 the family removed to 
this town and the parents had a home with their son 
Reuben. He d. Sept. 26, 1804 ; she d. Dec. 18, 1812. 

I. Hannah, b. ; md. Dec. 8, 1773, Richard 

Murphy of Rutlaud. 
II. Priscilla, b. ; md. Caleb Kendall, q. v. 

III. Abraham, b. .-(- 

IV. Zilpah, b. 1757 ; md. Jonas Rice, q. v. 
V. Reuben, b. Aug. 23, 1758.4- 

VI. Mary, b. April 14, 1762. 
VII. Zipporah, b. June 24, 1764; md. Oct. 23, 1787, 

Ozias Partridge. 
VIII. Lucy, b. Feb. 19, 1769 ; rad. Hezekiah Corey, q. v. 
IX. Achsah, b. July 27, 1772 ; md. Amos Corey, q. v. 
X. Euth, h. Oct. 28, 1774 ; md. Dea. SamuelAVard, q.v. 



924 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



(4) 



12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 



(6) 



22 

23 
24 



25 

26 
27 



Abraham Townsend resided in this town from 1780 to 
1802. Previous to his removal to this town he served in 
the Revolutionary army on the Hudson river in 1778. 
He removed to Berlin, Vt., and was successful in business 
and respected as a citizen. He md. Jan. 21, 1781, Molly 
Gardner of Shelburne. 

I. Molly, b. April 24, 1783. 
11. Priscilla, b. April 5, 1785. 

III. Naamali, b. May 17, 1787. 

IV. Betty, b. July 18, 1790. 

V. Abraham, b. Oct. 25, 1792. 
VI. Benjamin, b. July 23, 1799. 



18 


I. 


19 


II. 


20 


III. 


21 


IV. 



Reuben Townsend served two or more enlistments in 
the Revolution. Vide page 200. He md. in this town 
Nov. 5, 1782, Margaret Metcalf, dan. of Joseph Metcalf. 
He was an intelligent, thoughtful man, a good citizen 
and his influence at home and abroad was salutary. He 
d. 1837 ; his widow d. March 20, 1847. 

Dolly, b. Jan. 12, 1784 ; md. John Ward, Jr., q. v. 

Eunice, b. Jan. 16, 1786 ; md. Joshua Smith, Jr., 
q. V. 

Reuben, b. Jan. 15, 1788.-J- 

Joshua, b. Oct. 22, 1790; he was engaged in the 
manufacture of pails on Water street. In 1833 
he removed to Rindge and was there a cabinet 
maker. He md. July 17, 1823, Betsey Kimball, 
b. Sept. 25, 1796, dau. of William and Abigail 
(Hamlet) Kimball of Rindge. Shed. Nov. 15, 
1849 ; he md. (2d) 1852, Esther Eaton of 
Lancaster. He d. June 20, 1855 ; his widow 
d. June 27, 1855. 

1. Leonard Kimball, b. July 11, 1825; d. 
July 3, 1836. 

2. Albert, b. Nov. 22 ; d. Nov. 23, 1827. 

3. Mary, b. April 27, 1830 ; md. Jan. 6, 1857, 
Ivers Wellington, b. in Ashby Jan. 12, 
1812, son of Liberty and Mary 
(Lawrence) Wellington. They reside 
in Rindge. 

4. William Kimball, b. June 10, 1839; d. 
April 21, 1843. 



v. Joseph, b. June 23, 1793; md. Mary Smith. 

was a carpenter in Fitchburg. 
VI. Lucy, b, July 18, 1800; d. July 20, 1803. 



He 



(20) 



28 
29 



30 
31 
32 

33 



GENEALOGICAL KEGISTER. 925 

Reuben Townsend, Esq., during the active years of 
his life occupied a promiueut position in social and public 
affairs. He was frequentl}^ called to positions of trust. 
He was a selectman many years and twice represented 
the town in the Legislature. In fair characters the out- 
lines of his life are engraven in the records of the town. 
Among his fellow-men he was responsive to ever}' call of 
duty, exact and honest, and in all his relations to the 
public he was a model citizen. In his youth he was a 
member of the Ashburnham Light Infantry and was in 
the service in the War of 1812. Contrasted with his 
pacific nature and the quiet and peaceful habits of his 
life, his patriotism in this service is rendered more con- 
spicuous. He d. of paralysis in 1867, aged 79. His 
father and his grandfather d. at about the same age and 
of the same disease. He md. July 18, 1815, Sultina Hill, 
dau. of Isaac Hill, q. v. ; she d. June 18, 1860; he md. 
(2d) Matilda (Bolton) Shumway, dau. of Capt. Bolton of 
Westminster. 

I. Sultina CoUeigh, b. Nov. 10, 1816; d. July 28, 
1824. 

II. Lucy, b. July 20, 1818 ; md. Aug. 24, 1842, 
Samuel Sawin Coolidge, b. in Gardner Aug. 24, 
1813, son of James and Annis (Sawin) Coolidge. 
Mr. Coolidge was in the employ of E. Murdock, 
Jr., of Winchendon about ten years, and after 
a residence of four 3'ears in this town, he 
removed in 184- to Bellows Falls, Vt., where 
he has been engaged in the manufacture of pails 
and lumber. 

1. Arthur, b. Jan. 5, 1844; md. Eliza Jane 

Shumwaj'. 

2. Clement, b. May 12, 1849 ; d. at Bellows 

Falls, Vt., July 9, 1861. 

3. Samuel Joseph, b. April 2, 1855 ; md. 

Flora S. Prentice. 



Edwin Alonzo Townsend was b. in Mason, N. H., 
March 24, 1810. He is a son of Samuel, Jr., and Betsey 
(Nutting) Townsend of Mason and a grandson of Samuel 
and Hannah (Lawrence) Townsend who removed from 
Northboro' to Mason, N. H., about 1785. It maj' prove 
that Samuel Townsend, who md. Hannah Lawrence, was 
a son of Joshua Townsend who is No. 1 of this register. 
Edwin Alonzo Townsend came to this town in childhood 
and lived with Samuel Dunster whose wife was his aunt. 



926 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



34 

35 



After a residence of some 3'ears in Boston he returned to 
this town. He md. June 22, 1835, Mercy C. Moore, dau. 
of Treat and Mercy Moore of Eastham. 

I. Augusta Maria, h. Jan. 7, 1839 ; md. E. Gr. W. 

Ladd. 
II. Betsey Wilder, b. Aug. 22, 1845 ; md. Luther 

Seaver of Grardner. 



John Trimnal was a native of England. He md. 
Margaret Samson, dau. of Jonathan Samson, q. v., and 
resided a farmer in this town. He d. Oct. 9, 1840; she 
d. Oct. 19, 1860. 

I. Mary Arm, b. Oct. 6, 1823 ; md. Nov. 14, 1843, 
George Flint, son of David Flint, and resides 
in Ashby. 

II. Joseph Bice, b. Dec, 4, 1824; d. March 4, 1859. 

III. Ovisa Woods, b. April 22, 1828; d. Aug. 23, 

1850. 

IV. John Otis, b. May 2, 1832 ; d. Jan. 24, 1852. 



Henry Tuckerman, son of Capt. George W. and 
grandson of John Tuckerman, was b. in Portsmouth, 
N. H., Nov. 11, 1814. He removed to this town 1831 ; 
md. April 14, 1840, Charlotte Farrar, dau. of John 
Farrar, q. v. He is a farmer in the ninth school district. 

I. Anna Maria, b. Nov. 13, 1841 ; md. Oct. 15, 
1868, John E. Wood, b. May 1, 1823, son of 
David and Mary (Earl) Wood of Rindge. 
II. Arabel Sophia, b. Aug. 3, 1843 ; d. Nov. 25, 
1865. 

III. Albert Henry, b. Sept. 3, 1845 ; served in the 

Civil War in Fifth Regiment; d. Sept. 4, 1865. 

IV. Eveline Eliza, b. July 26, 1847 ; md. June 24, 

1874, William Henry Lucas of Worcester ; she 
d. April 13, 1877. 
V. Clarence Earle, b. Jan. 15, 1849; d. Dec. 29, 

1867. 
VI. Florence Malora, b. Dec. 28, 1850; md. Charles 
M. Stimson, son of Mirick Stimson, q. v. 



Artemas G. Upham, b. in Canton May 25, 1818, son 
of Charles and Polly (Tilden) Upham, md. in Scituate 
March 19, 183«, AbigailH. Dexter, b. in Scituate June 
29, 1818, dau. of Thomas and Abigail (Gushing) Dexter. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. gg? 

He resided in Lowell and in Pelham, N. H., removino- to 
this town in 1871. He is a farmer at tlie South VilWe 
His wife d. Nov. 28, 1884. 

I. Charles T., b. June 16, 1839 ; d. Aug. 17, 1854 
II. Andreiu C.,h. Dec. 12, 1842; md. Dec. 24, 1869i 
Mary Estey, b. in Canton June 27, 1847. He 
resides in Gardner. 

III. Sumner H., b. Sept. 13, 1845 ; md. July 31, 1866, 

Sophia E. Cutter, dan. of James Cutter, g. v. 
He is a mechanic and resides at South Villao-e 

IV. Harlin P., b. Dec. 6, 1860; md. May 1, 1884, 

Sadie Muzzy, b. at Chester, Vt., June 10, 
1860. He resides in Gardner. 



Philip Vorback, sometimes written Vorpeck, is the 
most conspicuous personage in the annals of Ashburn- 
ham. He did not serve in the Revolution and narrate to 
succeeding juveniles how fields were won. He was not 
foremost in public affairs, he was never a highway sur- 
veyor or an orator in the annual town meeting. He was 
neither a deacon, a tithingman, nor even a justice of the 
peace. In negative qualities he was a peer amon<r the 
average citizen. But Philip Vorback rode a bear and at 
once became a hero. Vorback and the bear are dead, 
but the story of the ride lives on in perpetual youth. 

Philip Vorback, considered in the abstract, was a Ger- 
man who came to this country for the sole purpose of 
earning an honest livelihood. His ambition was moder- 
ate and his thirst for fame was quenched in the routine of 
daily toil. In some way the ride was accidental. There 
was no coincidence of thought between Vorback and the 
bear nor is it fair to presume there was collusion. How 
It chanced that our hero, a man of placid temperament 
and moderate movements, ever came up with a vigorous 
bear is the only mystery that surrounds the exploit. 

Phihp Vorback came to Ashburnham in 1758 and 
settled near the site of Cushing Academy. He and John 
Overlock were the only Germans who did not live in the 
community on Lexington grant. He was one of the ori<r. 
inal members of the church. His name is occasionalfy 
found in the records until 1780. He was not taxed in 
1/87, the only tax list preserved from 1771 to near the 
close of the century. There is no tradition or evidence 
that he removed from the town, and in the fulfilment of 
his immortal fame there is no record of his death. The 
name of his wife was Lois and the names of nine children 
appear in the town and church records. 



928 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



2 
3 
4 

5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 



I. Susannah, b. Nov. 27, 1755. 
II. Lois, h. Sept. 19, 1757. 

III. Philq-),\). March, 1760. 

IV. John, b. July 14, 1763. 

V. Catherine, b. July 15, 1766. 

VI. JIary, b. March 4, 1769. 
VII. Jacob, b. July 11, 1771. 
VIII. Henry, bap. Nov. 14, 1773. 

IX. William, bap. Feb. 16, 1780. 



Prof. James E. Vose, sou of Edward L. and Aurelia 
(Wilson) Vose and grandson of Dea. Samuel and Mary 
(Saltmarsh) Vose of Antrim, N. H., was b. July 18, 
1836. The ancestry is traced in History of Antrim, and 
successive generations in Antrim and in Bedford have 
been distinguished for sterling traits of character, and 
have been prominent in ecclesiastical and political affairs. 
Prof. Vose removed to this town 1875. Vide page 358. 
He md. Mary Neville of New Boston, who d. Jan. 6, 
1875. He md. (2d) Aug. 11, 1878, Lois E. (Stickney) 
Rockwood, widow of J. Augustus Rockwood, q. v. 



WALKER. 

Capt. Zaccheus Walker was a native of Andover. He was an officer in 
the Revolution and for some time was a member of Washington's Life 
Guard. During the Revolution his home was in Merrimack. About 1793 
he removed to Ashby and about 1801 to New Ipswich, wliere he d. 1832. 
His wife Martha d. in Ashby Feb. 22, 1801, and in July, 1801, he md. (2d) 
Rachel Bigelow, widow of Silas Bigelow of New Ipswich. Danforth Walker, 
the seventh of his eleven children, was b. in Merrimack July 26, 1785. He 
md. Betsey Bigelow, dau. of Silas Bigelow, b. Nov. 12, 1788. He resided 
in New Ipswich, where he d. June 4, 1868; his widow d. Nov. 29, 1868. 



Capt. Addison A. Walker, son of Danforth and 
Betsey (Bigelow) Walker, was b. in New Ipswich Sept. 
22, 1817. He md. 1840, Susan S. Keyes, b. in Rindge 
Nov. 18, 1818, dau. of Amos and Eunice (SpofFord) 
Keyes. She d. in Gardner Aug. 21, 1843. Capt. 
Walker removed to Ashburnham in 1847 and has con- 
tinued a residence in this town. For many years he was 
engaged in the firm of Rockwood and Walker in the 
manufacture of tubs and pails. He has been a selectman 
several years and has been at all times a loyal citizen. 
He was a captain in the Civil War, and for several years 
an officer of the Ashburnham Light Infantry. Vide 
Chapters XVIII and XIX. He md. (2d) Oct. 21, 1847, 
Rebecca H. Stearns, dau. of Charles Stearns, Esq., g. v. 



9 
10 



(y) 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 929 

I. Susan J., b. April 20, 1842; md. Jan. 3, 1872, 
James E. Thompson, sou of James H. Thompson. 
He is a stationer in Fitchburo-. 



Du. Merrick Wallace was b. in Oxford April 12, r^ 
1808. He was a son of Nahum and Susan (Joslin) ^ 

Wallace and a grandson of James AVallace of Douglas 
Nahum Wallace lived in Doughis, Oxford and in Killinaly 
Conn. Vide page 471. Dr. Wallace md. Fannv Baker' 
b. Feb. 2, 1813, dan. of Ezra and Lucy (Priest) Baker 
of Gardner. She d. Jan. 31, 1887. 

I. MerricJc TF., b. Dec. 18, 1831 : md. May 20, 1862, 
Helen E. Manning, dau. of Ivers B. Mannin<r,' 
q. V. ; resides in Gardner. " 

ir. Lucy F., b. Dec. 20, 1833; md. May 15, 1852, 
George A. Kendall of Ashby. They reside in 
Petersham. 

III. Web.ster TF., b. May 27, 1836; md. Dec. 10, 

1860, Sarah A. Stokes of Lawrence. He d.' 
of wounds received in the Civil War, July 26 
1864. ' ^ ' 

IV. Ilennj C, b. May 2, 1838; md. Nov. 18, 1880, 

Flora A. Capron of Marlboro', N. H. ; resides 
in Keene, N. H. 

V. Jennie B., b. June 15, 1841 ; md. Dec. 31, 1863 

Abner J. Barnaby of Providence, R. I ' 

VI. Ellen R., b. May 26, 1843; md. May 28, 1862 
Wdham F. Dinwiddle, b. in Harrisburg, Pa., 
Oct. 26, 1838, son of John and Maro-aret 
Dmwiddie and a grandson of Hugh DinwTddie 
of Gettysburg, Pa. He is an ornamental 
painter. 



Brigham Wallace, a brother of Dr. Merrick Wallace 
was b. in Killingly, Conn., March 9, 1812. He is a 
farmer and has resided in this town since 1834. He md 
Lorette Bemis, b. in Westminster Sept. 30, 1805, dau. of 
William and Hannah (Derby) Bemis, q. v. 

I. Frank W., b. Nov. 27, 1832. -f- 
II. William, b. Sept. 15, 1838 ; unmd. ; resides in 
Ashburnham. 



Frank W. Wallace md. May 6, 1860, Susan W. 
Maynard, dau. of Antipas Maynard, q. v. They reside 
in Ashburnham Centre. 



5i) 



930 HISTOKY OF ASHBURNHAM 

11 



12 



13 



I. Mellora 31., b. April 17, 1861; ind. Sept. 12, 

1883, Charles Byron Ross of Hanover, N. H. ; 

reside in Holyoke. 
II. Frank Edward, b. Aug. 3, 1862 ; nid. Sept. 8, 

1886, Elizabeth Dolson of New Paltz, N. Y. ; 

reside in New York city. 
II. Lottie E., b. Aug. 26, 1871. 



WALLIS. 

Tlie early emigrants to America bearing the name of Wallis and Wallace, 
which were often interchangeable names, were of English and Scotch origin. 
The Ashburnham family of Wallis is a branch of the Townsend family and 
while I am unable to trace the lineage to a known emigrant ancestor, 
the record beginning with 1731 is well established. At this date John Wallis, 
then a man of middle age, was a resident of Townsend. The first mention 
of his name appears in a deed of land conveyed to him by John Kemp, Nov. 
12, 1731. In March, 1733, he purchased of Thomas Phillips and others apart 
of the Hathorn farm. See History of Townsend, pages 34 and fi2. This 
title proved worthless, and in consideration of his loss the proprietors of 
Townsend granted him one hundred and ninety' acres, near Mount Grace and 
not far from the Hathorn purchase. He was a selectman 1747 and was one 
of the sixteen original members of the ciiurcli in Townsend. He d. May 20, 
1763, aged 87. His will is dated Aug. 1, 1762, and it was entered for probate 
June 13, 1763. In a deed of land to his son Isaac, dated 1761, he includes 
the conveyance of "his pew in the Townsend Meeting House in the south 
side of the house at the left hand of the south door going in," providing that 
possession should not be given until after his decease. No record of his 
marriage has been found. His wife Elizabeth, who survived him and d. Jan. 
25, 1765, aged 72 years, was the mother of his younger children. It is 
possible that she was a second wife. In his will he names his wife Eliza- 
beth and six children, and sons of a deceased daughter. The records of 
Townsend furnish the names of two sons who died young. 

I. John, named in a following paragraph. 

II. Susannah, was b. 1725 or five years before her parents removed to 
Townsend; md. June 23, 1742, Jonas Woolson, b. in Cambridge 
Oct. 1, 1711, son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Chadwick) Woolson. 
They resided in New Ipswich, where he settled previous to his 
marriage. He d. 1794; she d. 1796, leaving children : (1) Elizabeth, 
(2) Susannah, (3) Martha and (4) Jonas. 

III. A daughter, who md. Conick, and her sons James, David, 

Jonatlian and John, are named in the M'ill of .lohn Wallis, Sen. 

IV. Jonathan, b. about 1780, md. Oct. 7, 1755, Mary Barstow of Hollis. 

He was proprietors' clerk twenty years, a selectman eleven years 
and a representative two years. Three of his fourteen cliildren 
d. in infancy. (1) Elizabeth, md. 1775, Aaron Scott; (2) Sarah, 
md. Samuel Stone, Jr. ; (3) Mary, b. April 14, I'hd; md. 1786, 
Samuel Stevens; d. July 21, 1787; (4) Hannah; (5) Jonathan, md. 
Abigail Wy Mian ; he d. March 26, 1807; (6) Sybel, md. Benjamin 
Spaulding; (7) Joseph, md. Hannah Conant; (8) Benjamin, md. 
liebecca Whitney; (9) Keuben ; (10) Rebecca, md. 1793, John 
Conant; (11) Asa, b. 1778 ;md. 1802, Milly Conant. Mary (Barstow) 
Wallis d. Sept. 6, 1797. He md. (2d) June 7, 1801, Milicent 
(Farrar) Conant, widow of Daniel Conant. She d. May 3, 1843, 
aged 87 years. 
V. Matthew, perhaps older than Jonathan, md. Jane , and in 1762 



genp:alogical uegisteh. 931 

was living in Milford, N. II. Three ciiildren, Jane, John and 

Sjbtl, were bap. in Townsend 17GI-5. 
VI. Isaac, md. 17G0, Jane Russell and lived in Townsend. He d. Nov. 12, 

1817; his wife d. Dec. 4, 1783. Among their children was Isaac 

Wallis, Jr., who md. 1783, Rebecca Farrar of New Ipswich. 
VII and viii. William and David, who d. young. 
IX. William, youngest child, was bap. 1737. 

John Wallis, Jr., removed to Townsend at an early date, and is fre- 
quently named in the records. His wife Sarah, who was the mother of his 
children, d. March 25, 1752. He md. (2d) Feb. 15, 1753, Mary White of 
Groton; md. (3d) 1759, Martha Pudney of New Ipswich. He d. Sept. 30, 
1777, aged 83 years. His wife, Martha, survived him, and in Probate and 
Registry records is found mention of the following children : 

1. William, who md. Aug. 2, 1747, Eunice Nutting and had sons, Daniel 
and John. 

II. Zebediali, who md. Tabitha and had children, Moses, Sarah, 

Relief, Abel, and two d. in childhood. 

III. Relief, who was a tailoress in Fitohburg, and the owner of consid- 

erable real estate. She d. unmd. 1781. 

IV. Benoni, who resided in Lunenburg. He md. July 2, 1755. Rebecca 

Brown of Lynn. He is the immediate ancestor of the Ashburnham 
and the Ashby families of Wallis. He d. March 15, 1792. His wife 
d. Aug. 25, 17'JO. 

There were seven children of Benoni and Rebecca (Brown) Wallis, all b. 
in Lunenburg. I. Benjamin, b. April 15, 1750. Vide Wilker register. 
II. Curwin, b. April 21, 1758. III. David, b. Oct. 16, 1760; md. Susannah 
Conn and is No. 1 in the following register. IV. Rebecca, b. April 11, 
1703; md. 1793, Isaac Walker of Ashby; d. Jan. 27, 1795. V. Ehenezer, 

b. April 11, 1765. Vide page 180. VI. MoUv, b. ; md. July, 1784, 

Asa Kendall, Jr., of Ashby. Twelve children. She d. Sept. 30, 1836. VII. 
Frederick, b. Oct. 15, 1768; d. young. 

Note. — It is certain that John Wallis, Sen., who d. May 20, 1763, had a 
son John who was living in 1762, and there is inferential evidence that John 
Wallis, Jr., who d. Sept. 30, 1777, was that son. However, there is a tradi- 
tion in Townsend that John Wallis, Jr., was a nephew of John Wallis, Sen., 
and if no error appears in the inscriptions on the grave-stones, which are not 
infallible, their relative age firmly sustains the tradition. Whatever may 
have been the degree of kinship, record and tradition are unanimous in the 
assertion that they were men of strong character, and through their occupa- 
tion of coopers, or barrel makers, as formerly known, they were the pioneers 
of a thriving industry of Townsend. 



1 



David Wallace, son of Benoni and Rebecca (Brown) 
Wallis, was b. in Lunenburg Oct. 16, 1760. While a 
resident of his native town he served three enlistments in 
the Revolution. Vide page 206. He removed to this 
town 1786, and was a fanner until late in life. He md. 
April 11, 1797, Susannah Conn, dan. of John Conn, q. v. 
He d. Jan. 12, 1842 ; his widow d. March 24, 1847. Six 
children. 

I. David, b. July 14, 17'J7.-j- 
11. James Parks, b. July 27, 1799 ; md. Lucy Locke, 



932 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNIIAM. 



10 



11 



b. Aug. 3. 1797, dau. of Benjamin and Betsey 
(Wyman) Locke of Lexington. He resided in 
Cambridge many years and subsequently in 
Ashby, where be d. Blay 26, 1870. Three or 
more children. 

III. Ruth Davis, b. Oct. 1.5, 1806 ; rad. John D. 

Morton, q. v. ; md. (2d) Philip R. Merriam, 
q. V. 

IV. John Wyman, b. Jan. 27, 1809. -j- 

V. Lucy Spauldwg, b. March 6, 1814; md. Oct. 30, 
1838, Walter Fairbanks, b. in Gardner Jan. 2, 
1811, sou of Levi Fairbanks, Jr. They resided 
in Garc\ner ; he d. April 24, 1881 ; she d. June 
7, 1883. 

1. George W., b. July 20, 1841 ; d. Sept. 6, 

1841. 

2. Mary A., b. Aug. 10, 1849 ; md. Llewellyn 

L. Atherton. He d. Dec. 30, 1879. 

VI. Frederick, b. June 19, 1816; md. May 15, 1839, 
Fannie Tenney, b. in Marlboro', N. H., Jan. 
28, 1819, dau. of Archie and Susannah (Jones) 
Tenney. He resided in Ashburnham until 1848, 
when he removed to Marlboro', N. H., where 
he d. Feb. 26, 1882. 

1. Abbie Frances, b. Jan. 17, 1840; md. 

Aug. 20, 1857, Hosea B. Knight, b. Oct. 
22, 1835, son of Josiah H. and Martha 
(Mason) Knight of Dublin and Marl- 
boro', N. H. They reside in Winchen- 
don. 

2. Wilber F., b. Nov. 29, 1850; md. Jan. 

24, 1874, Ella D. Richardson, b. July 6, 
1852, dau. of Darius and Ruth T. 
(Woodward) Richardson of Marlboro'. 
He was a farmer on the homestead, and 
has recently removed to Keene, N. H. 



(2) 



David Wallace, son of David, was the first in this 
lineage who wrote the name Wallace. A few years 
previous to 1822 he was a clothier in Fitchburg and, with 
Charles F. Crosby, owned lands and a mill near the Stone 
mill, now of Joseph Cushing. Subsequently he was a 
farmer in New Ipswich and in Rindge, where he d. May 
29, 1857. He was an exemplary man and a worthy 
citizen. He md. Roxanna Gowen of New Ipswich, who, 
surviving him, d. in Fitchburg Feb. 27, 1876. 



12 



13 


II 


14 


III 


15 


IV 


16 


V 



17 

18 
19 

20 
(5) 

21 
22 

(13) 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 933 

Harriet, b. Sept. 18, 1821 ; md. Feb. 12, 1843, 
Barnard Tenne3'of New Ipswich. She d. Sept. 
7, 1881. 

Rodney, b. Dec. 21, 1823.+ 

David A'., b. Jan. 24, 1826; md. Huldah Hart- 
well, dau. of Charles Hartwell of Ashby ; she 
d. June 23, 1874. 

John A., b. Jan. 23, 1829 ; resides in New York; 
md. 1859, Susan Jane Drake. 

Charles E., b. March 6, 1831 ; md. June 6, 1857, 
Elizabeth Gilson of Groton. He resides in 
New Ipswich. 
VI. George F., b. Nov. 21, 1833 ; md. Nov. 21, 1859, 
Maria A. Woodbury, dau. of Nathan Woodbury 
of Rindge. He d. in Wincheudon July 10, 
1874. 
VII. Romanzo A., b. Sept. 29, 1836; md. June 25, 
1865, Jane S. Morgan. He d. at Savannah, 
Ga., Nov. 6, 1875. 
VIII. William E., b. March 25, 1839; md. Aug. 28, 
1859, Helen A. Haj'ward of Fitchburg. He 
resides in Fitchburg, and is an accountant for 
the Fitchburg Paper Company. 

1. Minnie M., b. Aug. 29, 1861. 

John W. Wallace, son of David, md. Nov. 17, 1831, 
Lucy Blodget, dau. of Elias Blodget, (/. v. They 
resided at South Village, where he d. April 19, 1862. 
His widow resides in this town. 

I. Hosea C, b. May 2, 1837; md. , 1860, 

Jennie S. Ackley. He d. bv accident Aug. 
4, 1883. 
II. Lincoln, b. Jan. 16, 1842; md. Sept. 26, 1868, 
Sarah Frances Blodget, dau. of James Blodget, 
q. V. They reside at South Village. 



Hon. Rodney Wallace, son of David and Roxanna 
(Gowen) Wallace and grandson of David and Susannah 
(Conn) Wallace, was b. in New Ipswich Dec. 21, 1823. 
In his 3^outh his parents removed to Rindge, where at the 
age of twenty years he was employed by Dr. Stephen O 
Jewett, with whom he remained nine years. For a con- 
siderable portion of this time he was engaged in the sale 
and distribution of the .Jewett proprietary medicines which 
were famous at that time. 

In 1852 he removed to Fitchburg, -dud actively engaged 



934 



HISTORY OF ASnr.rUNIlAM. 



in the wholesale trade iu books, stationery and paper 
stock, which Avas conducted under the firm of Shepley 
& AVallace and R. Wallace & Co. After several years of 
successful management of this business, in 1865 with 
other gentlemen he enlisted in the manufacture of paper 
under the firm name of the Fitchburg Paper Co. Early 
in the fifth year of this enterprise he became sole pro- 
prietor of the business. He has made large additions of 
lands and tenements, and has enlarged and improved the 
mill and its appointments. A new mill was built in 1878 
and at this date the daily product of the business is 
twenty thousand pounds of hanging, glazing and card 
paper. In whatever enterprise he has engaged he has 
been fortunate, not only in a pecuniary point of view, but 
in the prompt command of the confidence and respect of 
his associates. In him integrity and principle have been 
closely allied with business tact and a liberal and com- 
prehensive management of large pecuniary interests. 

In the direction of the affairs of several monetary 
and corporate interests, his services have been frequently 
sought. He has been president and director of the 
Fitchburg Gas Light Co. since 1864 ; a director of the 
Fitchburg National Bank since 1866 ; for many years a 
trustee of the Fitchburg Savings Bank ; a director of the 
Fitchburg Mutual P'ire Insurance Co. ; a partner in the 
Fitchburg Woollen INIill, and a director of the Putnam 
Machine Co. and of the Parkhill Manufacturing Co. The 
past twelve years he has been an influential director of 
the Fitchburg Railroad Co. and is a trustee of Smith 
College, Northampton. 

His ambition in political affairs lias been restrained by 
the exacting burdens of business and the magnitude of 
the interests demanding his attention. He was a select- 
man of the town of Fitchburg, and has several times 
refused the nomination of his party and of the citizens 
for mayor. He was a member of the Legislature 1873, 
and of the Governor's Council 1881, 1882 Wl 188.3. It 
is an houoral)le record, yet many men of less worth, less 
success in business and less usefulness in general affairs, 
have figured more conspicuously and have rendered less 
efficient service with greater pomj) and ceremony. 

By a munificent act Mr. Wallace has presented an 
enduring demonstration of public spirit and love for his 
fellow-men. In 1881 he purchased a site conveniently 
located on J\Iain street. Here he erected a substantial 
edifice at an expense of nearh' 6100,000 and presented it 
to the city of Fitchburg for the uses of a free public 
library, reading rooms and galleries of ai't. Its profit 



GENEAL()(J1(:aL KKGISTKU. 935 

and usefulness can be computed only by the measure of 
duration, and as succeeding generations enjoy the 
strengthening influences of a prudent and thoughtful 
liberality, they cannot fail to recall and accept the 
thought of the donor, ' ' that to many of our people these 
rooms may prove to be a place of rest and profit, and 
help make the journey of life more pleasant and useful." 

Mr. AVallace is courteous and affable in manner and 
loyal in his friendship. In the reserve of his nature he is 
restrained from impetuous demonstration, but in every 
social and public duty his friendship, his influence and his 
assistance are put forth with commanding effect. If his 
activities are circumscribed by reason and prudence, his 
conclusions are deliberately formed and founded upon a 
comprehensive study of the attending facts. In him are 
combined diligence and sagacity, and above all a lofty 
standard of honor and integrity. 

Mr. Wallace md. Dec. 1, 1H,")3, Sophia Ingalls, dau. of 
Thomas and Sophia (Shurtleff) Ingalls of Kindge. She 
d., leaving two sons, June 20, 1871. He md. (2d) Dec. 
28, 1876, Sophia F. (Billings) Bailey of Woodstock, Vt. 
The sons reside in Fitchburg and are associated with 
their father in business. 

I. Herbert I., h. Feb. 17,1856. Harvard University, 

Class of 1877. He md. Oct. 23, 1879, Amy 

Louisa Upton of Fitchburg. 
II. George R., b. June 20, 1851) ; pursued a course of 

study at the Institute of Technolog}^ Boston. 

He md. Nov. 10, 1886, Nellie Maria tlowland of 

Fitchburg. 



Fred W. Walther, a native of Germany, md. Dec. 9, 
1861, Wilhelmina Bueron and removed to this town. He 
is a gardener. Two of their five children d. young. 

I. William F., b. March 30, 1864; md. Feb. 18, 

1886, Eva K. Reed — see Kelton register. 
II. Anna, b. June 3, 1866; d. Oct. 8, 1883. 
III. Fred, b. April 15, 1870. 



Caleb Ward, son of Thaddeus and Lydia (Benjamin) 
Ward, was b. in Waltham Nov. 22, 1748; bap. Nov. 27. 
He removed to this town about 1770 and settled where 
Joseph H. Small now resides, kiKiwn as the Alvan Ward 
farm. He was a selectman and his name is frequently 
met in the records. He md. Jan. 22, 1772, Rebecca 
Foster, dau. of Jeremiah Foster, q. v. He d. June 20, 



936 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



9 
10 

(2) 



1813, aged 65 years; she d. March 22, 1831, aged 81 
years. To the record of her death Rev. George Perkins 
appends, " She has lived in this town 77 years and about 
60 years in the house in whicli she died." 

Samuel, b. Dec. 22, 1772.-[- 

Sarali, b. Oct. 27, 1774: rad. May 25, 1806, 

Tliomas Piper ; lived in Weston, Vt. 
Rebecca, b. 1776; d. Nov. 23, 1780. 
Caleb, h. Aug. 6, 1778.-f 
Nahum, b. Aug. 7, 1780; resided some years in 

Peterboro', N. H., and subsequently joined the 

Mormons. 
Jacob, b. Nov. 22, 1782.+ 
Jonas, b. Feb. 15, 1785; md. Dec. 24, 1812, 

Susan F. Thurston, b. Sept. 18, 1792, dau. of 

Nathan and Sally (Campbell) Thurston of 

Oxford. They lived in Oxford. 
Rebecca, b. Sept. 14, 1788; md. Ezra Lawrence, 

g. V. 
Lucy, b. July 28, 1790; md. March 14, 1815, 

Samuel Wilson, and lived in Nelson, N. H. 



2 


I 


3 


IT 


4 


III 


5 


IV 


6 


V 


7 


VI 


8 


VII 



VIII. 



IX. 



11 

12 



(5) 



13 
14 
15 



16 



Dea. Samuel Ward was a farmer in this town and 
during the winter season for some years he was a school- 
teacher. He was chosen a deacon of the Congregational 
church in 1817 and was continued in office until 1843. He 
md. April 15, 1799, Kuth Townsend, b. Oct. 28, 1774, 
dau. of Joshua Townsend and a sister of Reuben Town- 
send, Sen., q. v. He d. Mav 18, 1845 ; she d. Oct. 16, 
1850. 



I. Alvan, b. April 26. 1800.+ 
II. Sylvia, b. Sept. 22, 1801 ; 
Jones, q. v. 



iD(l. Dea. Oilman 



Caleb Ward, son of Caleb, md. July 26, 1810, Mary 
Rice, dau. of Jonah Rice, q. v. He was a farmer and in 
his \ounger years a school-teacher. He d. Aug. 6, 1833 ; 
his widow md. (2d) Jonathan Winchester, Jr., q. v. 

I. Myra. b. Sept. 5, 1811 ; md. Abel Farwell, q. v. 
II. Ede. b. Nov. 19, 1814; mrl. Addison Howe, q. v. 

III. Mary, b. Sept. 15, 1818; md. Christopher Jones, 

q. v.\ md. (2d) Addison Bancroft; d. March 
19, 18G9. 

IV. Emma, b. July 2, 1820; md. April 6, 1842, John 

Barrett of Ashb^'. 



17 



18 



(7) 



19 



20 



25 
26 

27 

28 
29 



21 


HI. 


22 


IV. 


23 


V. 


24 


VI. 



30 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 937 

V. Stephen^ b. Jan. 12, 1823; md. Nov, 2, 1849, 
Mary Aun Farriugton, b. in Boston April 4, 
1823. He is a farmer on the Jacob "Ward farm 
at North Village. 
VI. Cynthia Avesta, h. Nov. 19, 1825; md. April 20, 
1851, Alpheus Swallow ; live in Dunstable. 



Jacob Ward, son of Caleb, md. March 29, 1810, Sally 
Whitmore, dau. of Isaac Whitmore, q. v. He was a 
farmer and was also engaged in the manufacture of chair 
stock and wood ware. He was in the War of 1812. He 
d. Jan. 12, 1852 ; his widow d. Jan. 17, 1859. 

I. Alvan Foster, b. Aug. 14, 1810; md. Jan. 29, 
1837, Elzina E. Manning, dau. of Solomon 
Manning, Jr., g. v. 
II. Caleb Burhank, b. May 6, 1813; md. July 3, 
1839, Abigail Mixer, b. Oct. 13, 1815, dau. of 
Charles andMehitable (Smith) Mixer of Rindge. 
He resided in Rindge until 1845 and subse- 
quently in Dedham. 
Salem Town,h. Jan. 21, 1815; md. Mary Ann 

Kendall of Nashua, N. H. 
Jacob v., b. Sept. 17, 1816; md. Nov. 30, 1848, 
Harriet L. P'airbanks, dau. of Jacob Fairbanks, 
q. V. ; she d. Nov. 29, 1852. 
Isaac Dennis, b. Oct. 27, 1817. -j- 
Oren Prentice, b. Aug. 14, 1819; md. Ruth Ken- 
dall of Wilmington. 
'II. Martin Newton, b. March 19, 1821 ; md. Dec. 7, 
1845, Lucy D. Lewis of Wilmington; lived in 
Rindge where he d. Dec. 24, 1883. 
[II. Leiois Kimball, b. March 24, 1823 ; md. Sept. 22, 
1845, Sarah H. Keyes, dau. of Samuel Keyes, 
q. V. 
IX. Quincy Remus, b. June 6, 1825 : md. Feb. 14, 1852, 
Isabel Goodwin ; resides in Woburn. 

1. Mason E., b. Aug. 21, 1853; md. Aug. 
20. 1884, Mary White. 

2. AVinfield Scott, b. May 3, 1861 ; graduate 
Tufts College 1883. Principal of High 
School, Hollis, N. H., one year; since 
1884 instructor in Cushing Academy. 
He md. March 12, 1885, M. Jennie 
Cameron. 

X. Harriet Zula, b. Feb. 10, 1827; md. April 12, 
1849, Abijah Hinds of Gardner. 



938 



HISTORY OF ASHBUIINHAM. 



31 
32 
33 
34 

35 
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36 
37 

38 

39 
40 

41 
42 
43 



(23) 



XT. Levi Lincoln^ b. Nov. 2, 1828 ; rad. Anna Grey of 

Hallowell, Me. 
XII. Ehie Salina, b. April 21, 1830; md. George E. 

Lewis of Peabody. 
xiir. Waldo Webster^ b. April 15, 1832 ; md. Sophro- 

nia Tuttle of Chester, Vt. 
XIV. Zoa X., b. May 28, 1832; md. June 1, 1853, 

Lowell F. White, son of William and Mary G. 

(Wilson) White of Deering, N. H. They reside 

in Hillsboro', N. H. One son. 

1. Frank L., b. June 18, 1865. 



Alvan Ward, son of Dea. Samuel Ward, md. Oct. 
23, 1823, Eusebia Russell, b. in Rindge Sept. 14, 1797, 
dau. of Eliakira and Sarah (Converse) Russell. He was 
a farmer and for several years he was engaged in the 
manufacture of chair stock. He d. June 20, 1869 ; his 
widow d. Aug. 24, 1875. 

I. 3fary Ann T., b. Dec. 17, 1824; md. Calvin 

Dows. He d. Feb. 18, 1874. 
II. George P., b. Aug. 18, 1826 ; md. July 22, 1849, 
Eunice K. Wood, dau. of Jonathan Wood, q. v. 
He served in 14th New Hampshire Volunteers; 
resides in Troy, N. H. 
III. Achsah C.,b. Aug. 12, 1828; md. Milton Brooks, 
q. V. 
Ivers, b. Feb. 18, 1830; d. Dec. 28, 1831. 
FravMin TF., b. July 19, 1833; resides in 
Winchendon. He is a job printer and pro- 
prietor and editor of The Winchendon Courier. 
He md. Sophronia Stone. 
Marcus L., b. March 12, 1834; md. Julia A. 
Muzzey of Winchendon. 
VII. William. Ij. G., b. Aug. 15, 1835 ; md. Abigail 

Bride. 
VIII. Angeb'ne (?., b. Feb. 15, 1839 ; md. John Baldwin. 
He was killed in the service. May 2, 1863. 
She md. (2d) Henry C. AVhitcomb ; she d. 
Aug. 24, 1867. 



IV, 
V. 



VI. 



Isaac D. Ward md. Oct. 31, 1843, Rebecca A. 
Cushing, dau. of Laban Cushing, q. v. They reside at 
North Village, where he has been engaged in the manu- 
facture of wood ware and has been an assessor and 
selectman several 3'ears. In town and parish affairs he 
has been an active and influential citizen. 



44 

45 

46 
47 



48 



49 
50 



(49) 



55 

56 
57 
58 



GENEALOGICAL HEGISTER. 939: 

I. Flora E., b. April 27, 1845 ; rad. Charles E. 

Woodward, q. v. 
II. Ella M., b. April 13, 1847; md. La Roy Butler, 
g. V. 

III. Lelia A., b. Aug. 7, 1849 ; d. March 12, 1850. 

IV. Effie A.,h. Jan. 19, 1855; md. Dec. 16, 1880, 

Frank H. Rideout of Fitchburg. They reside 
in Gardner. 



51 


III 


52 


IV 


53 


V 


54 


VI 



William Ward, a brother of Caleb, was b. in Waltham 
July 5, 1757 ; bap. July 17. He came to this town in his 
youth and after a few years settled near Ward pond. He 
served several enlistments in the Revolution which are 
stated in Chapters V and VI. He md. March 7, 1787, 
Mrs. Sarah (Draper) Brooks. He d. Dec. 5, 1846 ; she 
d. March, 1835. 

I. William^ b. March 7, 1788.-|- 
II. Lydia, b. Feb. 19, 1790; md. May 23, 1839, 

Benjamin Blaney ; lived in this town, where she 

d. March 3, 1857. Several children but no 

record is received. 
Nathaniel Drajier, b. June 10, 1793.-|- 
Thaddeus, b. Nov. 12, 1795; d. uumd. about 

1868. 
Jesse, b. Feb. 14, 1798; noti comj).\ d. Jan. 12, 

1856. 
Benjamin, b. April 1, 1801. -|- 



WiLLiAM Ward resided a few years in Marlboro', 
N. H., but settled in Plaiufield, N. II., where he was a 
farmer and a merchant. He was a respected citizen and a 
deacon of the Congregational church. He md. March 6, 
1817, Rebecca Barrett, b. May 26, 1789, dau. of Joseph 
and Sarah (Brooks) Barrett of Mason, N. H. ; md. (2d) 
1826, Rebecca Boynton of Mason, N. H. He d. Feb. 8. 
1863. 

I. William B., b. May 8, 1818; md. April 5, 1853, 
Maria P. Fuller ; a farmer in Plaiufield, N. H. 
II. Rebecca, b. 1822 : md. Norman Smith of Lempster, 
N. H. ; d. 1864. 

III. Sarah, b. 1824 ; md. George C. Freeman of 

Plaiufield, N. H. 

IV. Bevjamin F., b. 1827; a merchant in Plaiufield, 

N. H. ; md. EdnaS. Davis ; md. (2d) Elizabeth 
P. Spalding- 



940 



HISTOKY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



59 



60 



(51) 



61 

62 

63 
64 
65 
66 

67 
68 

69 



(54) 



70 
71 

72 



VI. 



Alfred^ b. 1828 ; a farmer in Spring Lake, Mich. ; 

rad. March 17, 1859, Mary E. Burnap of 

Plainfield, N. II. 
Cyrus, b. April 1, 1830; a baker in Springfield, 

Vt. : md. Martha W. Thornton. 



Nathaniel Draper Ward, son of William, rad. 1816, 
Betsey Haven, dau. of Jonathan Haven, q. v. He lived 
in the south part of the town. He d. Oct. 18, 1859 ; his 
widow d. Sept. 22, 1877. Two of their eleven children d. 
in infancy. 



1817 



New 



Amos F. Lane, 



III. 

IV. 

V. 

VI. 



I. Beyrjamiii Sabhi, b. Oct. 9, 

Orleans, La., Oct. 31, 1841. 
II. Martha, b. Nov. 26, 1819; md. 

q. V. 
Mary, b. Jan. 22, 1821 ; rad. Stephen Wood, q. v. 
Nancy, b. Aug. 12, 1823 ; md. Elijah Haven, q. v. 
Elmira. b. April 15, 1825 ; d. May 25, 1844. 
Horace Parker, b. March 27, 1827; md. May 27, 

1850, Elizabeth O'P'arye ; resides in Sterling, 

Minn. 
Lucinda, b. Feb. 17, 1829; resides unmd. at 

Honolulu, Sandwich Islands. 
George Washington, b. June 2, 1832; md. July 

23, 1860, Phebe A. Cole; resides at Garden 

City, Minn. 
Charles Lewis, b. July 5, 1834 ; md. April 29, 

1857, Sarah Jane Clare, who d. June 8, 1867; 

md. (2d) Sarah Norman ; resides in Kansas. 

Formerly he was a magistrate and postmaster 

in Minnesota. In the Civil War he served in 

Fifth Iowa Cavalry. 



IX 



Benjamin Ward was a farmer in this town. He owned 
and occupied the farm near the homestead of his father, 
now of Laban W. Wright. He md. Nov. 29, 1838, 
Melinda Lane, dau. of Benjamin Lane, q. v. He d. Sept. 
16, 1860; his wife d. Feb. 25, 1855. 

I. Elliot Benjamin, b. March 6, 1840; drowned 

Aug. 8," 1857. 
II. Henry William, b. Dec. 16, 1841 ; he is a farmer 
in Greeley, Col. ; md. April 29, 1874, Hattie 
H. Oir. Two children. 
III. Edwin Franklin, b. Dec. 27, 1843 ; he is farming 
and sheep raising in Greeley, Col. ; unrad. 



73 



74 



75 
76 

77 

78 
79 

80 
81 

82 

(78) 



83 



(82) 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 941 

IV. Sarah Isabel, b. May 16, 1847 ; md. March 19, 

1868, Lemuel AYbitney, son of Dwell Whitney, 
q. V. 

John Ward, b. in Sutton June 10, 1746, was a son of 
Jonas and Alngail (Child) Ward. He lived in West- 
minster near the line of Ashburnham, and died in that 
town, but in social relations he was intimately connected 
with the people of this toAvn. He was a member of the 
church in Ashburnham, his childi*en were baptized by Mr. 
Gushing, and the deaths in his family are recorded in the 
church records. The farm was annexed to this town 
many years ago and is now owned by Jolin G. Woodward. 

He md. , 1774, Mindwell Harrington, who d. Sept. 

18, 1782; md. (2d) Oct. 4, 1784, Copiah Rice, b. 
Aug. 17, 1747, dau. of Silas and Copiah (Broughton) 
Rice of Westboro'. He d. Sept. 24,1813; his widow d. 
March 25, 1844, aged 96, recorded 98. 

I. Sarah, b. June 19, 1775; md. John Flagg ; 
resided in Worcester. 

II. Polbj, b. Oct. 12, 1777; md. July 3, 1820, John 
AVoodward, sou of Nathaniel Woodward ; liv§d 
in AVestminster. John G. Woodw^ard of Ash- 
burnham is their son. 

HI. Betty (twin), b. Oct. 12, 1777; md. John Crox- 
field and resided in Bai-re, Vt. 

IV. JoJm, b. May 14, 1780.-[- 

V. Jo7ias, h. July 19, 1782; md. Anna Child and 

lived in Westminster. She md. (2d) Americus 
Amsden of Windsor, Vt. 
VI. Lucy, b. Dec. 8, 1785 ; d. young. 
VII. Copia, b. Mav 24, 1789 : md. John Mossman, g. v. 
viii. Silas, b. July 22, 1791. -f- 



JoiiN Waui), Jr., md. April 9, 1811, Dolly Townsend, 
dau. of Reuben Townsend, q. v. He resided on the 
homestead, and by the change in town lines became a 
citizen of Ashburnham in 1824. He d. April 27, 1843 ; 
she d. July 5, 1857. 

I. Mary, b. May 21, 1812; md. John G. Woodward, 

q. V. 



Silas Wahi>, son of John, md. , 1815, Diedama 

Mossman, dau. of ]\Iattliias Mossman, q. v. They 
resided in Westminster. He d. May 29, 1881 ; she d. 
Nov. 7, 1879. 



942 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



84 
85 
86 



I. Susanna F., b. Oct. 13, 1817 ; d. Nov. 21, 1856. 
II. Horace, b. Aug. 24, 1824 ; d. Nov. 5, 184i). 
in. Sarah F., b. Dec. 5, 1831 ; md. John M. Pratt^ 

q. V. 



Samuel Wakrp:n md. Anna Merriam, b. Oct. 10, 
1753, dau. of Samuel and Anna (Whitney) Merriam of 
Lexington. He removed to this town about 1773. An 
infant, perhaps Rebecca, d. July 10, 1777. He d. April 
20, 1778, aged 27 ; she md. (2d) Dea. Jacob Harris, 
q. V. 

I. Rebecca, b. Feb. 28, 1775. 
II. xinna, b. April 27, 1778. 



Col. Jehiel Watkins was b. in Chester, Vt., July 28, 
1796. He md., about 1821, Priscilla Earle of Chester, 
Vt. She was b. Aug. 12, 1799. After a brief residence 
in Ashby they removed to this town in 1823. He was a 
lieutenant and captain of the militia from 1824 to 1828; 
subsequently he held commissions of major, lieutenant- 
colonel, and colonel of the regiment. In town affairs he 
was a man of influence and was frequently elected to 
office. He d. Sept. 7, 1857; his widow d. Jan. 13, 1882. 
They had one adopted child. 

I. Sarah Helen Ingraham, b. in Chester, Vt., 1841 ; 
md. Francis A. Whitney, q. v. 



Jacob Wenning, also written Winning and Wenneg, 
came to this town from Chelmsford in 1770, and removed 
to Westford in 1773. He was of Irish parentage and his 
residence in this town was not of sufficient duration to 
lead to mention were it not for the purpose of correcting 
a tradition that he was one of the Germans. He was a 
blacksmith and lived where Alden B. Marble now resides. 
The name of his wife was Eleanor. She was possibly a 
second wife. 

I. Jacob, b. . 

II. Susannah, b. . 

III. Henry, b. . 

IV. Mary, bap. June 27, 1772. 



James Weston was b. in Woburn 1773. He was a son 
of John and Mary Atwood Weston, grandson of Isaac 
and Elizabeth Pratt Weston, great-grandson of Stephen 
and Sarah (Townsend) Weston and great-great-grand- 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 943 

son of John and Sarah (Fiteh) Weston of Salem. James 
Weston md. in Woburn 1797, Rhoda Reed, dau. of Jonas 
Reed, q. v. He removed to Ashburnham about LSOO 
and probably in company with the Reed family who came 
at that time. He d. July, 1837 ; his widow d. a few- 
years subsequently. 

I. lihoda, b. Aug. lo, 1798 ; md. Abel Sawyer, 7 v 
II. Sumn, b. Sept. 15, 1800; md. Nov. 22, 182(;, 
Arlington Gibson of Fitchburg. 

1. Emerson, b. Sept. 15, 1830; md. Sept. 
14, 1859, Hattie A. Wilbur; residence 
Brattleborough, Vt. 

2. Albert A., b. Feb. 4, 1832 ; md. Jennie 
McCoy ; residence Omaha, Neb. 

3. Susan A., b. Jan. 22, 1835; md. Sept 
27, 1858, George E. Bryant, son of 
George W. and Eunice (Norcross) 
Bryant of Fitzwilliam. He is a lawyer 
in Madison, Wis. 

III. Elijah, b. May 23, 1804 ; md. 1846, Mrs. Hannah 
R. Wood of Winchendon. He d. in this town. 

IV. James Allan, b. March 9, 1810.-)- 
V. Amos, b. April 22, 1817; md. 1843, Rebecca 

Wheeler of New Ipswich ; d. in New Ipswich. 

10 VI. Harriet N., b. Nov. 3, 1820; md. Dec. 23, 1841, 
Charles Taylor, b. in New Ipswich March 21, 
1820, son of Samuel and Persis (Jones) Taylor 
(Jones register) , resided in New Ipswich where 
she d. 1867; he md. (2d) Mary L. Gipson, 
widow of Henry Gipson, q. v. 

11 1. Chnton C, b. Nov. 27, 1842; d. Oct. 17, 

1861. ' 

12 2. Henrietta M., b. July 16, 1844. 

^^ ^- Myron, b. July 31, 1846; md. Elizabeth 

Crosby ; residence in Boston ; chief clerk 
Boston and Lowell Railroad. 

14 4. Marianna, b. Feb. 17, 1849; d. Feb. 26, 

1851. 

^^ ^- Emma, b. Feb. 20, 1854 ; md. Sept. 3, 

1878, Frank Herbert Ilardisoii, b. in 
Rindge Sept. 3, 1849, son of Samuel J. 
and Louisa (Hastings) Hardison. He 
is editor of Greenfield Gazette and 
Courier. 



944 



HISTORY OF ASIIBURNHAM. 



16 

(8) 

17 

18 

19 
20 

21 



Carrie, b. Jan. 22, 1857 ; md. July 2, 
1883, Frederick S. Maynard of Wilton, 
N. H. He d. June 23, 1886; she d. 
Aug. 25, 1886. 



James A. Weston md. Dec. 24, 1835, Elizabeth S. 
Borraan, b. in Winchendon Feb. 27, 1815, dau. of Charles 
Borman. They resided in this town until 1848 when they 
removed to New Ipswich, where he d. Aug. 18, 1852 ; 
she md. (2d) Ebenezer Blake of Rindge. 

I. Harlan Marcellus, b. Nov. 4, 1836 ; d. Oct. 20, 
1838. 

II. Mar7j Elizabeth, b. Oct. 31, 1839 ; md. Edwin J. 
Stearns, q. v. 

m. Harlan A., h. May 9, 1844 ; d. June 6, 1847. 

IV. Ellen M., b. June 22, 1848; md. May 27, 1874, 

Frank E. Wellington, b. in Rindge May 27, 

1852, son of Oilman P. and Mary Ann (Jones) 

Wellington. They reside in Leominster. 

V. Charles A., b. April 29, 1850; d. Aug. 30, 1867. 



Ethan Wetherbee md. Dec. 31, 1775, Lucretia 
Adams, dau. of Capt. Thomas Adams, q. v., and removed 
from Cambridge to this town in 1776 or 1777. It is sug- 
gested that he was the landlord of the historic Black 
Horse Inn in Meuotomy, where the Committee of Safety 
held meetings in April, 1775, and where Gerry, Orne and 
Lee witnessed by moonlight the march of the British 
troops on their advance toward Lexington and Concord. 
In the names of his children appear Samuel Cook, Abigail 
Bowman and Betsey Sanders, which are suggestive to 
persons conversant with the annals of Menotomy. In 
1787 Mr. Wetherbee appears to be residing in Medford, 
but with little exception he lived in this tovvn and is fre- 
quently named in the records until 1798, when he sold his 
farm to Isaac Hill and removed to Keene, N. H. The 
births of his children are not recorded, but Mr. Cushing 
found frequent employment in the baptism of a numerous 
progeny. 

I. Betsey Sanders, bap. July 27, 1777. 
II. Abigail Bovmian, bap. April 18, 1779. 

III. Samuel Cook, bap. May 27, 1781. 

IV. Lucretia, bap. May 25, 1783. 
V. Simon Peter, bap. May 6, 1785. 

VI. David, bap. July 25, 1790. 
VII. Jonathan (twin), bap. July 25, 1790. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 945 

VIII. Etharu bap. July 25, 1790. 
IX. Lydia, bap. July 29, 1792 ; d. June 7, 1794. 
X. iydta, bap. Jul}' 6, 1794. 
XI. Mary, bap. Sept. 25, 1796. 



Phinehas Wetherbee, probabi}' from Stow, came to 
Ashburnham about 1765. He md. (Int.) June 7, 1767, 
Hannah Whitue}' of Stow. In 1776 the family removed 
to Stow. 

I. Betty, b. Nov. 9, 1768. 
II. Catherine, b. Dec. 16, 1770. 

III. Dolly,'h. Feb. 21, 1773. 

IV. Hannah, b. March 20, 1775. 



Amos Wetherbee md. in Ashburnham Nov. 26, 1789, 
Sarah Foster and removed about 1800 to Cavendish, Vt. 

I. Abel, b. June 16, 1790. 
II. Stephen, b. Nov. 21, 1791. 

III. Sarah, b. Dec. 24, 1793. 

IV. Lydia, b. Dec. 7, 1795. 

V. Avios, b. March 6, 1798; md. Aug. 31, 1824, 
Sarah May nard, a sister of Antipas Maynard ; 
resided in Lowell. 



Dea. Joseph Wetherbee, son of Joseph and Mary 
(Farr) Wetherbee, was b. in Ashby Dec. 4, 1810. He 
was a chairmaker in this town and a deacon of the Union 
church. He md. April 18, 1844, Mary E. Fletcher, dau. 
of Joshua Fletcher, q. v. He d. Aug. 13, 1847. She 
md. (2d) Aug. 7, 1852, George W. Todd of Rindge. 
Two children b. in Ashburnham. 

I. Prescott W., b. Feb. 1, 1847; d. Feb. 22, 1847. 
II. Joseph F., b. Jan. 8, 1848 ; md. 1872, Arabella S. 
Nichols, dau. of Thomas S. Nichols of Peter- 
boro' ; resides in Fitchburg. 



Marshall Wetherbee, son of Josiah and Clarissa 
(Sawtell) Wetherbee, was b. in Rindge June 30, 1817. 
The lineage of the Wetherbee and Sawtell families is 
traced in the History of Rindge. Mr. Wetherbee removed 
to this town in 1844, and the following 3'ear he purchased 
a livery property and has successfully continued the busi- 
ness to the present time. He was a deputj^-sheriff twelve 
years and has been a State constable. In town affairs he 

GO 



946 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



28 



29 
30 
31 



32 
33 
34 



35 



36 



37 



has been employed many years as collector, constable, 
overseer of the poor and selectman. He is a director of 
the First National Bank and a trustee of the Savings 
Bank of Gardner. He md. Oct. 13, 1842, Marinda 
Whitaker, dau. of Levi and Eunice (Tarbell) Whitaker of 
Mason, N. H. 

I. George M., b. Dec. 25, 1843 ; md. March 3, 1863, 
Mary Ellen Livingston; he served in the 21st 
Regiment. 

Charles II., b. June 2, 1847 ; d. Sept. 22, 1847. 

Charles H., b. Oct. 2, 1848 ; d. Sept. 6, 1849. 

Sidney J., b. Jan. 8, 1851 ; md. March, 1872, 
Hattie M. Farwell of Mason, N. H. ; he d. Sept. 
23, 1883; she md. (2d) W. Fred. White. 

Charles P., b. Nov. 4, 1852 ; resides in this town. 

Clara J., b. Sept. 7, 1854 ; d. Aug. 28, 1868. 
VII. Emma J., b. Sept. 28, 1856 ; md. May 26, 1880, 
Otis H. Norcross, b. May 8, 1851, son of 
Joshua and Calista K. (Cooper) Norcross of 
Rindge ; reside in Rindge. 

William H., b. Sept. 5, 1858 ; resides in Green- 
field. 



II. 
III. 

IV. 



V. 
VI. 



VIII 



Benjamin E. Wetherbee was b. in Brookline, N. H., 
July 4, 1821. He is a son of Benjamin and Hannah 
(Wadsworth) Wetherbee and a grandson of Timothy Weth- 
erbee of Mason, N. H. He md. May 25, 1847, Sarah 
Helen Bruce, b. April 29, 1825, dau. of Silas and Melinda 
Bruce of Templeton, and resided some years in Townsend 
where he was a town officer, and in 1854 a representative 
to the Legislature. He removed to this town 1860 and 
has been engaged in the manufacture of chairs and bent 
chair stock. He resides on the John Willard farm. In 
this town he has been frequently elected to office. 

I. Eloise Helen, b. June 22, 1856 ; a music teacher. 



Samuel Wheeler, son of John Wheeler, b. Aug. 11, 
1762, md. in Ashburnham May 7, 1793, Elizabeth 
Taylor, dau. of Jonathan Taylor, q. v. He lived on the 
Clary farm in New Ipswich, where he d. Feb. 14, 1839. 



Daniel Wheeler, son of Samuel, b. in New Ipswich 
July 1, 1800, md. April 3, 1823, Rhoda Taylor, dau. of 
Nathan Taylor, q. v. He was a farmer in this town 
residing on the farm now of his son Daniel. He d. April 
3, 1848; shed. Dec. 4, 1848. 



8 
9 

10 
11 



12 



13 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 947 

I. Samitel, h. Ma^vch 15, 1824; nid. May 5, 1853, 
Permelia Whitney. He is a carpenter in New 
Ipswich. 
II. RJioda, b. Jan. 31, 1826; ind. Dec. 6, 1856, 

Jonathan Coburn of New Ipswich, 
in. Daniel, b. Jan. 25, 1828 ; md. Dec. 4, 1860, Mary 
Drinan. He is a farmer on the homestead. 

1. Mary Elizabeth, b. April 24, 1862; md. 

1886. 

2. Nathan Taylor, b. March 17, 1864. 

IV. George, b. April 30, 1830. 
V. Elizabeth, b. Dec. 14, 1832 ; md. May 6, 1858, 

William Jeffrey ; reside in Hudson. 
VI. John, b. Oct. 9, 1835 ; d. Sept. 10, 1837. 
VII. Lois, b. Jan. 31, 1840. 



Capt. Asahel Wheeler, b. 1814, came to this town 
in youth. He md. Oct. 6, 1836, Susan S. Lawrence, dau. 
of Capt. Jeremiah Lawrence. She d. Aug. 28, 1845 ; 
md. (2d) Feb., 1846, Eliza (Wright) Carlton, widow of 
John Carlton and dau. of Abel Wright, g. v. He d. 
1855 ; his widow d. in Ashby. Capt. Wheeler was a 
member of the Ashburnham Light Infantry and an officer 
seven years. He was commissioned captain in 1844. 

I. Asahel, b. Sept. 8, 1839. He was in the service 
in the Civil War and was a captain of 21st and 
of 61st Regiments. F»de page 445. After the 
war he was the first captain of the Rice Guards. 
Nearly twenty years ago Capt. Wheeler removed 
to Fitchburg and was of the police of that city 
several years. He md. 1861, Lydia A. Win- 
ship, dau. of Sylvester and Lucy (Munroe) 
Winship; she d. July 28, 1862; he md. (2d) 
Sarah J. Beckwith of Fitchburg. 



Russell Whipple, a son of Otis and Amy (Harkness) 
Whipple, was b. in Richmond, N. H., Jan. 22, 1820. He 
md. 1840, Mary ScoUay, dau. of Grover Scollay, q. v. 
During the ensuing twenty years they resided in Ash- 
burnham, in Royalston, Richmond, N. H., New Ipswich, 
Winchendon and again in Ashburnham. He enlisted in 
the 53d Regiment and was killed at Port Hudson, June 
14, 1863 ; she d. Nov. 11, 1882. 

I. Eunice L., b. March 19, 1841. 



948 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



6 
7 
8 
9 

10 
11 
12 



(2) 



6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 
12 



II. George TF., b. Sept. 21, 1842; md. 1867, Laura 
Barrett, dau. of Townsend Barrett, q. v. 

III. Frederick jB., b. July 6, 1844; md. 1868, Eraily 

Barrett, dau. of Townsend Barrett, q. v. 

IV. Charles iV., b. Sept. 17, 1845; md. 1868, Nancy 

M. James. 
V. James A., b. Oct. 16, 1847. 
VI. Joseph A., b. Jan. 11, 1851. 

VII. Emma A., b. Aug. 10, 1853 ; md. Paulding. 

VIII. Sarah E., b. May 14, 1855. 
IX. Ella J., b. Aprir27, 1857. 
X. Martha L., b. Aug. 17, 1859. 
XI. Moulton H., b. Aug. 12, 1862. 



William Whitcomb, with wife Hannah and several 
children, came from Harvard to this town in 1762. At 
the organization of the town in 1765, he was elected town 
clerk. This office he filled only two years, but he was 
subsequently elected moderator, selectman, and for a 
number of years he was among the foremost men in the 
town. He was frequently chosen on committees during 
the Revolution, and in 1783 he was a representative to the 
General Court. He d. Dec. 3, 1792. The records furnish 
very little information of this family and it is not known 
how many children there were nor the order of age of the 
followinsr. 



I. 
II. 



III. 

IV. 



Elias, b. - 
Oliver, b. 



■•+ 



md. 



Dickinson, q. v. 

Liicy, b. ; md. 

Persis, b. ; md 



Oct. 16, 1770, Dorcas 

Simeon Brooks, q. v. 
. Isaac Blodgett, q. v. 



Elias Whitcomb md. Aug. 9, 1781, Dinah Brooks and 
resided in this town until 1800, when he removed to 
Ashby. His wife d. 1806; he md (2d) 1807, Sally 
Bonner of Hancock, N. H. 

I. Relief, b. Oct. 30, 1781 ; md. Elias Blodget, q. v. 
II. Dinah, b. Aug. 13, 1783 ; d. Aug. 20, 1783. 
in. Hannah, b. June 27, 1786 ; md. Job Foster. 

IV. Louisa, b. March 29, 1788 ; md. Haynes. 

V. Mary, b. April 25, 1791 ; md. Moses Sanderson, 
Jr., q. V. 

VI. Nancy, b. March 25, 1796 ; md. Edwards. 

vn. Lucinda, b. Feb. 2, 1801 ; md. Charles Buttrick. 



13 
14 



9 
10 



11 



GENEALOGICAL KEGISTER. q^^ 

VIII. Esther, b. April 6, 1805 ; red. Blood 

IX. Maph, b. April 20, 1810. 



John White was a soldier in the Continental service 
from 1777 to 1780. He was in Col. Greaton's regiment, 
and on one roll he is counted on the quota of Easton and 
on another roll on the quota of this town, but both records 
assert that he was a resident of Ashburnham. He lud. 
Ruth Holden, and settled in the southwest part of the 
town not long before he entered the army. In 1785 his 
farm was inchided in Gardner, and his continued record 
was in that town, where he d. 1806. Three or four of 
the older children were b. in this town. 

I. Betsey, h. Sept. 21, 1776; md. William Bickford, 

Jr., of Gardner. She d. 1841. 
II. Abigail, b. April 30, 1780; d. young. 

III. John, b. May 5, 1782; md. Persis Comee ; lived 
in Gardner. 

IV. Folly, b. Feb. 17, 1784; md. John Parker of 
Gardner. 

6 I V. Augustine, b. Feb. 24, 1786. 
VI. Ahtier, b. Dec. 10, 1787. 
VH. Rehe(xa, b. Miiy i), 1790. 
VIII. Lucy, b. Oct. 2^, 1792. 
IX. Abigail, b. April 20, 1796. 



Dea. Flisha White was a native of Lancaster. He 
was a descendant of John White, one of the early settlers 
of Lancaster, where his descendants were numerous and 
influential. In the early history of that town few names 
were more prominent in civil and ecclesiastical affairs. 
fV,^";^^'^^^ ^^ Lancaster are not complete, and the names 
ot Fhsha and Josiah are so frequently met that the lineaoe 
ot individual members of this family is not easily traced. 
Flisha^ Wlute of Ashburnham was b. in Lancaster June 
18, l/o9; he md. Oct 10, 1780, Deborah Hunt, b. in 
Lancaster Oct. 29, 1760, dau. of Shorebiah and Deborah 
( \\ ilder) LIunt, and a sister of Dea. Sherebiah Hunt of this 
town. After his marriage he lived a short time at 
Plymouth, \t., but settled in Ashburnham in 1782. He 
was a farmer and a carpenter. In town affairs he was 
one ot the foremost men of his time, serving as town clerk, 
moderator, selectman and assessor. From 1798 until his 
death he was a deacon of the church, and among his 
tellow-men his opinions were respected and his character 
was above reproach. He d. June 11. 1817 : iiis widow d. 
March 26, 18-16, aged 85. 



950 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



12 
13 
14 
15 



16 

17 

18 
19 
20 



21 
22 



(12) 



23 



24 

25 

26 

27 

28 
29 



I. Josiah, b. Nov. 2, 1782.-f- 
11. Anna, b Oct. 2(i, 1784 : md. Jesse Holbrook, q. v. 

III. Elisha, b. jNIay 17, 1787.+ 

IV. Sherebiah Hunt, b. Feb. 2(), 1790; md. Lois 

Stoeker ; resided in Spi'iugfield, Vt., subse- 
quently in Unity, N. 11., wliere he d. , 

188;). " 

V. Deborah, b. Jan. 22, 1792 ; md. , John 

Harrington. 
VI. Peter, b. April 29, 1794; md. — 

Stoeker. 



VII. Dorinda, b. May 25, 1796; d. unmd. 



Nancy 
, 1837. 



VIII. Mary, b. July 15, 1799 ; md. Stephen Corey, q. v. 
IX. David, b. Nov. 27, 1801 ; md. Sarah Newcomb. 
He was a contractor and builder, doing an ex- 
tensive business ; resided in Gloucester. 
X. Ivers, b. June 25, 1804.-J- 
XI. Sarah, b. Nov. 17, 1806 ; md. June 6, 1833, Jonas 
Lawrence, q. v. 



JosiAii White, sou of Dea. Elisha White, was a 
carpenter in this town. He was a member of the Ash- 
burnham light Infantry and was in the service in 1814 at 
Boston Harbor. He md. Feb. 8, 1807, Matilda Stone, 
dau. of Joseph Stone, q. v. ; she d. Feb. 4, 1838 ; md. 
(2d) May 13, 1840, Betsey Bly, dau. of James Bly of 
Andover. He d. Oct. 24, 1871. 

I. Josiah E., b. May 20, 1809 ; md. April 10, 1835, 

Betse}' Lawrence, dau. of Dea. William J. 

Lawrence, q. v. ; she d. Aug. 10, 1846 ; md. 

(2d) Mary IMoore. He removed to Lowell 

1848, and was there a merchant; resides in 

Laconia, N. H. 
Susan Gates, b. July 21, 1811 ; d. Aug. 24, 1833. 
Nancy Hayden, b. Feb. 24, 1813 ; md. George 

Davis, q. v. 
Autos S., b. April 6, 1816; he is a merchant in 

AVeyuiouth ; md. Eunice Bowditch. 
Mary Matilda, b. Aug. 4, 1818 ; md. , Dr. 

Ebeuezer T. Learned ; resides in Fall River ; he 

d. . 

Ivers Warren, b. .luly 9, 1820; md. PLlizabeth 

Wheeler of Fitchburg. 
Sarah Gushing, h. Dec. 27, 1822; md. Sept. 22, 

1845, James II. Warner, b. in Boston Sept. 10, 

1813; d. in Fitchburg Sept. 18, 1859. She 

resides in Ashl)y. 



II. 
III. 



30 

31 

32 
33 

34 
35 



36 
37 

38 



(14) 



39 
40 

(21) 



41 



GENEALOGICAL KEGISTEU. 951 

1. Jaines E., )). Aug. 27, 1840; md. Nov. 

21, 1867, EllaK. P.ly, h. Aug. 29, 1845, 
clau. of James Bly. They reside at 
South Village. 

2. Mary E., b. Nov. 29, 1848; md. Hem-y 

Burr, son of Samuel Burr of Ashby. 
o. Jane W., b. Oct. 1, 1852 ; d. young. 
4. Fraucilla A., b. June 8, 1856; md. 
Herbert Sadler ; they reside at Beverly. 

VIII. Joseph Wilder, b. March 30, 1825 ; nid. Susan 
Lake ; md. (2d) Sarah Loud ; lie is a carpenter 
at Lebanon, N. H. 

IX. Charles H., b. Nov. 12, 1841 ; md. Nov. 29, 1866, 

Florence H. Stowe, dau. of David and Mary 
(Converse) Stowe. He was a veteran of the 
21st Regiment, serving in the Civil AVar four 
years. He has been a member of the volunteer 
militia nearly twenty years, and is now a 
lieutenant of Company E. He resides on the 
homestead. 

X. S^isan E., h. Oct. 20, 1843 ; d. May 29, 1865. 

XI. Ellen r., b. June 8, 1847; md. Nov. 21, 1867, 

Edward G. Newell ; residence in Gardner. 
XII. Emma F. (twin), b. June 8, 1847; d. July 18, 
1847. 



Elisha AVhite md. Jan., 1818, Juda Rodgers, and 
resided in this town until 1850, and subsequently resided 
in Newton where he d. He md. (2d) Mrs. Rodgers. 

I. Edwin, b. Oct. 12, 1819, d. May 10, 1824. 
II. Sarah H., b. Nov. 2b, 1824 ; d. . 



IvERS White, after the death of his father, resided a 
few years in Springfield, Vt. Returning to Ashburuham 
in 1830, he purchased of Charles Stearns the mail route 
from this town to AVorcester. He was engaged in this 
enterprise several years. Subsequently he was a house, 
carriage and ornamental painter. For a few years, 
retaining a residence in this town, he was engaged at his 
occupation in Fitchburg. He was adjutant of the Ninth 
Regiment, a deputy-sheriff, and under the Fillmore 
administration he was postmaster. He md. 1832, Zoa 
Lawrence, dau. of Dea. AViHi:iin J. Lawrence. He d. 
June 26, 1884. 

1. William Frederick, b. Aug. 17, 1834; md. 



1857, Alice A. AAHieeler. dau. of Oliver AVheeler 



952 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



42 



of Ashby. They were divorced 18G- ; he nid. 
(2d) March 14, 1885, Hattie M. (Farwell) 
Wetherbee, widow of Sidney J. Wetherbee, q. v. 
He is an ornamental painter. 
Annie Eliza Celestia, b. March 15, 1841 ; md. 
Aug. 31, 1871, Edwin E. Spencer, M. D. ; 
resides in Cambridgeport. 



(6) 



Christian William Whiteman, with wife Anstina and 
two children, with his German associates settled on Lex- 
ington grant in 1758. lie was one of the proprietors of 
the grant and upon its division among the several owners 
he secured a farm, on which he lived. He was an intelli- 
gent, valued citizen. In 1796 the family removed to 
Haverhill, N. H. 

I. Catherine, b. Oct. 18, 1752; md. Aug. 9, 1781, 
Henry Sunbury and resided about two years in 
this town ; removed to Warren, N. H. 

1. Catherine, b. 1782. 

II. Elizabeth, b. April 5, 175G; md. Jacob Constan- 
tine, q. v. 

III. Ayistina, b. July 24, 1758. 

IV. Nicholas, b. F-eb. 19, 1761.+ 
V. Christian, b. Oct. 21, 1763. 

VI. Margaret, b. July 20, 1766. 



9 
10 
11 
12 
13 



14 



Nicholas Whiteman served in Mitchell's regiment in 
1776 and at Castle William, Col. Abijah Stearns' regi- 
ment, in 1778. He removed to Warren, N. H., iu 1780, 
but subsequently returned to this town where he lived 
many years. He had a farm and a mill where Warren E. 
Marble now lives. In his old age he lived elsewhere with 
his children. He md. Aug. 23, 1781, Elizabeth Rodarael, 
q. V. A dau., aged 12 years, d. Feb. 6, 1796; a dan., 
aged 9 years, d. Feb. 10, 1776. Scarcely more than the 
names of the other children can be oiven. 



I. William, b. 
II. Nancy, b. - 

III. Polhj, b. — 

IV. Jacob, b. — 
V. Peter, b. — 



settled iu Canada. 



d. unmd. in this town Oct., 1835. 
settled in Canada. 



John Whiteman first appears in the records in 1765. 
He probably came with the other Germans in 1758. He 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTEIl. 



953 



22 



lived iu the northeast part of the town and the family 
removed about 1804. The birth of one child is recorded 
and six others were baptized. 

3Iary, b. May 13, 1765. 

John, bap. April 23, 1769. 

Jacob, bap. Nov. 21, 1771. 

Katherine, bap. Oct. 27, 1776. 

George, bap. May 27, 1.781 ; d. Feb. 29, 1784. 

Sarah, bap. Oct. 12, 1783. 

Hannah, bap. May 21, 1786. 



15 


I. 


16 


II. 


17 


III. 


18 


IV. 


19 


V. 


20 


VI. 


21 


VII. 



Henry Whiteman, perhaps a son of John (14), md. 
1793, Abigail Wheeler of New Ipswich. He was an 
ensign of the militia 1792. 



WHITMORE. 

Francis Whitmork, b. in England 1625, is found in Cambridge in 1649. 
He was a large land owner in Cambridge and the neighboring towns and 
resided many j'ears and perhaps through life within the limits of the present 
city. When Lexington was created a precinct the bounds were described as 
beginning " on the southerly side of Francis Whitmore's house." It does not 
appear that he ever lived there and at the date of the record he had been 
dead several years. He served in the Indian War under Major Willard. 
He md. Isabel Parks, dau. of Richard Parks of Cambridge; she d. March 
31, 1665: md. (2d) Nov. 10, 1666, Margaret Harty. He d. Oct. 12, 1685; 
she d. March 1, 1685-6. By both marriages there were thirteen children. 
Joseph Whitmore, youngest son of Francis and Margaret (Harty) Whitmore, 
b. 1675, md. Feb. 13, 161)8-0, Mary Kendall, b. in Woburn Feb. 27, 1679-80, 
dau. of Thomas and Kuth Kendall. They were admitted to church in Lex- 
ington 1703 and the following year were dismissed to church in Woburn, 
where they subsequently resided. Their only son was Joseph Whitmore, b. 
Feb. 17, 1699-1700. He also lived in Woburn and May 23, 1719, was pub- 
lished to Mary Peirce ; she d., leaving one son, Joseph, b. Sept. 9, 1719. 
Joseph, the father, was subsequently md. and reared a large family which 
includes the ancestors of the Newbury branch of the Whitmore family. 



Joseph Whitmore, the first of the name in Ashburn- 
ham, was a descendant in the fourth generation of Francis 
Whitmore, the emigrant ancestor. He was b. in Woburn 
Sept. 9, 1719, according to Woburn records, or Sept. 20, 
1719, following the family record. He md. Dec. 21, 
1741, Mary Marion of Boston, b. April 25, 1718, and 
removed from Woburn to Leominster between 1.747 and 
1749, and to Asliburnham immediately i)receding 1780. 
He w'as moderator of a town meeting in this town 1780. 
He settled in the northwest part of the town where his 
great-grandson, J)r. L. L. Whitmore, now resides. The 
homestead has remained in the possession of his descend- 
ants to the present time. For several years, and until 



954 



HISTORV OF ASHBUKNHAM. 



8 

9 
10 
11 

<7) 



retired b}' age, he was a prominent citizen and was often 
chosen to office. He d. April 18, 1805; his widow d. 
Juh' 10, 1805. Three children were b. in Woburn and 
seven in Leominster. 

I. Mary, b. Feb. 15, 1742-3 ; md. Enos Jones, q. v. 
II. Hannah, b. Oct. 27, 1744 ; md. Shebuel Bailey 
and lived in Sterling. 

III. Rebecca, b. Jul}' 16, 1747 ; md. Warner. 

IV. Joseph, b. June 6, 1749 ; md. Kuth Knight; lived 

in Chester and Ira, Vt. 
V. Benjamin, b. Oct. 22, 1751; md. Lois Stanley; 

lived in Chester, Vt. 
VI. Isaac, b. March 3, 1755.-|- 
VII. Persis (twin), b. March 3, 1755; md. Jonathan 

Winchester, q. v. 
VIII. Lucy, b. Jan. 23, 1857 ; md. Jonas Brooks, q. v. 
IX. Elizabeth, b. Feb. 8, 1759 ; md. Joshua Phelps. 
X. Echcard, b. Aug. 12, 1763-4- 



12 



13 



Isaac Whitmore resided on the homestead. While a 
resident of Leominster be was a soldier in the Revolution. 
He served in the siege of Boston, participating iu the 
battle of Bunker Hill and during the ensuing year he was 
in the anny under Washington. In the latter service his 
name is borne on the roll of Capt. Maxwell's company 
of Col. Frescott's regiment. He was in the battle at 
White Plains and iu the engagement at Trenton and 
Princeton. It is probable that he was in the sers'ice later 
than early in the year 1777, but he makes no mention of 
additional service in his application for a pension made 
July 8, 1819. His application was successful and he 
remained a pensioner until his death. He came to this 
town with bis father and bis name often appears in the 
choice of town officers. He is, however, more accurately 
described as an honest, industrious farmer, who found his 
chief employment in the frugal management of his own 
affairs. He md. 1781, Rebecca Foster, b. in Lunenburg 
Sept. 16, 1760, eldest dan. of Joseph and Sarah (Jones) 
Foster. He d. May 2, 1847 ; she d. Aug. 30, 1840. 

I. James, b. April 23, 1782; md. Oct. 22, 1811, 
Phebe Stimsou, dau. of Lemuel Stimson, q. v. 
Resided a few years in Londonderry, N. H., 
and after 1815 in Framingham. 
11. Levi F., h. Feb. 13, 1786; md. May 8, 1817, 
Mehitabel Edgell, b. in Framingham 1796, dau. 
of Aaron P. and Eleanor (Trowbridge) Edgell. 
He was a farmer iu Marlboro'. Eight children. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 955 

14 I III. Infant, b. ; d. March lo, 1789. 

lo IV. Snlln, b. Sept. 7, 1790; d. Oct. 21, 1792. 

V. Sally, b. Sept. 16, 1793; md. Jacob Ward, 7. u. 
VI. Enoch, b. Sept. 8, 1796.+ 

vir. Beulah, b. Aug. 8, 1799; md. Charles Stirason 
q. V. 



16 
17 

18 



<11) 



19 
20 
21 
22 
23 

24 
25 
26 



(17) 

28 
2<) 



30 



Edward Whitmore, youngest son of Joseph, resided 
in this town until 1804, when he removed to Rindge, and 
in 1820 he removed to Enosburg, Vt., where he d. Nov. 
15, 1841. He was a soldier in the Revolution. Vide 
page 197. He md. Aug. 2, 1782, Lydia Samson, dau. of 
Jonathan Samson, 7. v. She d. Sept. 1, 1840. 

I. Patty, b. Oct. 30, 1784; d. unmd. July 13, 1818. 
II. Oliver, b. Feb. 16, 1787.-f 

III. Sally, b. Nov. 5, 1792 ; md. Henry Broats. 

IV. Lydia, b. May 3, 1795 ; d. unmd. 

V. Emma, b. Sept. 9, 1797; md. Nov. 20, 1817, 

Nathan Estey of Stow. 
VI. Isaac, b. March 14, 1800; d. Oct. 29, 1805. 
VII. Levi, b. Sept. 14, 1802; d. Oct. 10, 1805. 

VIII. Zoa, b. March 20, 1806 ; md. ; she d. June 

21, 1841. 
IX. Joseph A., b. Dec. 3, 1807; d. Oct. 6, 1825. 



CoL. Enoch AYhitmore was a farmer and manufacturer 
in Ashburnham and a leading man of his time. Vide 
page 485. He md. Clarissa Willard, dau. of Silas 
Wiilard, Esq., q. v. He d. Sept. 13, 1860; she resides 
in Fitchburg. 

I. Eliza E., b. Oct. 25, 1818; md. Nov. 18, 1841, 
Horace Fames of Framingliam. They resided 
in Springfield, where he d. May 17, 1879. 
II. Alfred, b. Nov. 29, 1818 ; md. P\b. 5, 1846, 
Elmira W. Stimson, dau. of Charles Stimson, 
q. V. He was station agent at Ashburnham 
Junction several years and snbsequentl}' en- 
gaged in the manufacture of wood ware. He 
d. Jan. 4, 1873 ; slie resides in Leominster. 

1. Herbert E., b. July 13, 1859. 

31 2. p:ieanor C, b. July 18, 1861. 

32 in. Flint M., b. Dec. 24, 1821 ; unmd.; is a pros- 

perous dealer in himber in California; resides 
at Antelope Creek in Aiiuulor county. 



956 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



O 



33 

34 

35 
36 
37 
38 
39 



40 

41 

42 



(20) 



IV. Lorenzo Locke, b. July 2, 1823 ; a physician aud 
farmer of Ashburnham. Vide page 471. He 
md. Jan. 9, 1872, Mary Sophia Baker, diiii. of 
Dea. Joel and Lucy (Newton) Baker of f^ast 
Templeton. 
V. Silas, b. July 10, 1824; ind. Dec. 13, 1855, 
Althea Gibbs. He d. at Antelope Creek, 
Amador county, Cal., Aug. 11, 1878. 

VI. Clarissa, b. Oct. 18, 1826 ; unmd. ; resides in 

Fitchburg. 
VII. Catherine, b. Dec. 19, 1828; md. Sept. 12, 1853, 

James M. Ingraham ; reside in Chicago, 111. 
VIII. Mary, b. Sept. 13, 1830; unrad. ; resides in 
Fitchburg. 

IX. Harriet, b. Feb. 19, 1835; unmd.; resides in 

Chicago, 111. 
X. Orange Scott, b. Oct. 2Q, 1836, was a teacher 
several years, and in May, 1862, was admitted 
to the bar at St. Albans, Vt. Enlisted the same 
month in Co. A, Ninth Regiment, Vermont 
Infantr}^ ; discharged on account of wounds in 
March, 1863. Was engaged in business in 
Chicago several years and lost the fruit of 
successful enterprise in the great fire. Subse- 
quently was engaged several years in the 
lumber business at Cadillac, Mich., where he 
now resides. He md. June 1, 1866, Mary 
Elizabeth Stevens, b. in Watertown, N. Y., 
April 9, 1847, eldest dau. of Hiram B. and 
Emma A. Stevens. Seven of ten children are 
living. 

XI. Franklin B., b. April 4, 1838 ; md. Oct. 15, 1867, 
Amanda T. Fiye. He is a lumber dealer in 
Lexington, K3'., in the firm of Rule and Whit- 
more. 

XII. Laura A., b. July 10, 1839; md. Francis G. 

Kibling, son of Francis Kibling, q. v. 
XIII. Frances Elizabeth, b. June 10, 1841 ; md. Dec. 17, 
1868, Albert L. Streeter, b. Sept. 14, 1841, son 
of Thomas and Paulina (Locke) Streeter. He 
is express messenger on the Fitchburg railroad 
with residence in Charlestown district. 



Oliver Wiiitmore md. in Rindge June 2, 1808, Sophia 
Stone, b. April 19, 1789, dau. of Capt. Salmon and 
Susanna (Page) Stone. In 1810 he returned to Ash- 
burnham and settled in the northwest part of the town. 



GENEALOGICAL REGLSTER. 



957 



43 



44 
45 

46 



47 
48 

49 



50 

51 
52 



53 
54 



where he lived until after the death of his wife. He d. 
in Winchendon Oct. 16, 1874, aged 87 ; his wife d 
March 4, 1863. 

I. Eli S., b. Jan. 27, 1809 ; md. Nov. 14, 1837, 
Rebecca Darling, dau. of Amos and Ede (Stone) 
Darling of Rindge. Resided in Rindge, 
AVorcester and in this town, where he d. July 
27, 1870. 

1. Clara, b. April 7, 1851 ; d. Nov. 10, 1861. 

2. Irving, b. Sept. 25, 1855. 

II. Elvira, b. March 18, 1816; md. Nov. 26, 1839, 
Stephen Tolman, son of William and Mercy 
(Brown) Tolman. He d. June 15, 1884 ; she 
resides on the homestead in Winchendon. 

1. George Oscar, b. Sept. 19, 1842. 

2. Wavland, b. April 28, 1850 ; d. April 30, 

1850. 

3. Lizzie M., b. June 6, 1860 ; md. Nov. 26, 

1879, Eugene P. Brooks, b. in Rindge 
Feb. 25, 1850, son of William S. and 
Frances J. (Parks) Brooks. 

III. Charles Farwell, b. Oct. 10, 1819 ; md. April 6, 

1848, Cynthia Tubbs, widow of Alvin Tubbs. 

IV. Laurilla, b. July 9, 1825 ; d. March 17, 1832. 

V. George, b. Oct. 30, 1829; md. April 19, 1855, 
Laurette Tubbs, dau. of Alvin and Cynthia 
Tubbs. He d. at Providence, R. I., May 19, 
1883. 

1. George Alvin. 

2. Mabel Cynthia. 



AYHITNEY. 

No other register in this volume contains an equal number of names. The 
Whitney families of Ashburnham are descendants of John and Elinor 
Whitney who embarked for New England in the Elizabeth and Ann, Roger 
Cooper, master, in April, 1G3.J. At this date he was aged 35 and his wife 30. 
In the summer of the same year he purchased a homestead and settled in 
Watertown. Subsequently the town made him several grants amounting to 
198 acres, and he acquired other land by purchase. He was admitted 
freeman March 3, 1635-6, and at once assumed and maintained a prominent 
position in the affairs of the settlement. He was a selectman eighteen 
successive years, and town clerk in 1655. Five of his eight sons were b. in 
England, and six of them left a numerous posterity. His wife d. May 11, 
1059. He md. (2d) Sept. 29, 1659, Judah Clement, who d. previous to the 
date of his will. April 3, 1673. He d. June 1, 1673, aged 73. 



958 HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

John Whitney, ehlest son of John and Elinor Whitney, was b. in England 
1024, and was admitted freeman May 26, 1047. He was a selectman of 
Watertown six years. He md. Ruth Reynolds who survived him. He d. 
Oct. 12, 1692, leaving five sons and five daughters. 

Nathaniel Whitney, son of John and Ruth (Reynolds) Whitney, was b. 
in Watertown Feb. 1, 1646-7. He md. March 12, 1673-4, Sarah Hagar, b. in 
Watertown Sept. 3, 1651, dau. of William and Mary (Bemis) Hagar. He 
resided in the part of Watertown that was included in Weston, where he d. 
Jan. 7, 1732-3; his widow d. May 7, 1746. 

William Whitney, third of the seven children of Nathaniel and Sarah 
(Hagar) Whitney, was b. May 6, 1683. and resided in Weston. He md. 
May 17, 1706, Martha Peirce, b. Dec. 24, 1681, dau. of Joseph and Martha 
Peirce of Watertown. He d. Jan. 24, 1720-1. Among his five children 
were Samuel, who settled in Westminster, and Martha, who became the wife 
of Timothy Mossman, Jr., once a resident of Ashburnham. 

Samuel Whitney, son of William and Martha (Peirce) Whitney, was b. in 
Weston May 23, 1719. He md. Oct. 20, 1741, Abigail Fletcher, and 
settled in Westminster. He was a leading man in tlie settlement and was 
frequently elected to office. He d. Jan. 1, 1782. The sixth of his thirteen 
children, b. in Westminster, was Capt. Silas Whitney of Ashburnham, No. 
1 in the following register. 

Another branch of the Whitney family in this town is closely allied to the 
descendants of Capt. Silas Whitney. Abner Whitney, another son of 
Samuel and Abigail (Fletcher) Whitney, was b. in Westminster May 18, 
1748. He md. May 14, 1770, Elizabeth Glazier, dau. of Jonas and Eunice 
(Newton) Glazier of Shrewsbury; she d. April 3, 1778. He md. (2d) April 
22 1779, Levina (Glazier) Ward, b. in Shrewsbury May 9, 1752, a sister of 
his first wife and a widow of Jonas Ward, brother of John Ward. Abner 
Whitney d. Sept., 1811. Joseph G. Whitney, son of Abner and Levina 
Whitney, was b. in Westminster .Tune 22, 1783. He md 1805. Levina Dunn, 
and resided in Westminster and Ashburnham where he d. July 31, 1868. 
Levina G. Whitney, his dau., is the wife of Rev. Stephen Gushing, q. v.^ 
and John Whitney, his son, was a resident of Ashburnham and is No. 122 in 
the following register. 

The Lemuel Whitney family, commencing with No. 139. are probably 
descendants of Richard Whitney, another son of John and Elinor Whitney, 
the emigrant ancestors. Richard Whitney md. Martha Caldam and settled 
in Stow. The records do not afford sufficient information to complete the 
lineage. Gen. Josiah Whitney was b. in Stow about 1730. He md. 
1751, Sarah Farr. They were the parents of eighteen children, fifteen of 
whom d. in infancy. About 1754 he removed from Stow to Harvard, where 
his wife d. and he md. (2d) Sarah Dwelly of Bridgewater. By this marriage 
there were seven children. In 1795 Gen. Whitney removed with the 
younger children to Ashby, where he d. Jan. 24, 1806; his widow d. in 
Whitingham, Vt., Feb. 18, 1817. 



Capt. Silas Whitney, sou of Samuel and Abigail 
(Fletcher) Whitney, was b. in Westminster Oct. 20, 1752. 
He md. Jan. 27, 1774, Sarah Withington, b. in Stow 
1753, dau. of William and Sarah (Locke) Withington. 
After his marriage he lived four years in AYestmiuster. 
He sold his farm in that town in 1778 and purchased a 
large tract of land in the southeast part of Ashburnham. 
Here he soon Itecame the leading farmer in this vicinity. 
The size of his barns and granaries and the uuml>er of his 
horses and cattle are tlie living theme of tradition. He 



(2) 



10 

11 
12 
13 



14 
15 
16 
17 

18 



(3) 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 959 

was a captain of the militia and was prominent in town 
affairs. In tlie midst of a life of indnstry and usefulnes.s 
he d. at mid-age Nov. 14, 1798. Mr. Cnshing records 
his death with the remark that " he died suddenly after a 
few days of complaining, though not confined ; he was 
sitting in a chair leaning on a table and sunk down, and 
almost immediately expired." The widow settled the 
estate and prudently managed the affairs in the interest of 
her children. She md. (2d) 1802, Thomas Earle of 
Leicester, and d. in this town Jan. 12, 1820. There were 
fonr sons and twenty-four grandsons of Capt. Silas 
and Sarah (AVithington) Whitney, and including the 
female lines the number of their descendants named in 
these registers is above two hundred. 

I. Susannah, b. Sept. 29, 1776; md. Josiah Brown. 

Vide page 959. 
II. Silas, b. Oct. 1, 1779.+ 

III. Sarah, b. July 1, 1781 ; md. Caleb Wilder, son of 

Samuel AYilder, Esq., q. v. 

IV. Samuel, b. May 20, 1783. + 
V. William, b. Aug. 5, 1785. -f- 

VI. Ohio, b. March 22, 1789.-|- 
VII. Abigail, b. May 15, 1791 ; md. Jesse Ellis, son of 

Jesse Ellis, q. v. 
viii. Nancy, b. Nov. 19, 1794; md. Laban Gushing, 

son of Capt. David Gushing, q. v. 



JosiAH Brown of Stow md. April, 1797, Susannah 
Whitney, eldest dau. of Capt. Silas Whitney, q. v. They 
resided in Stow. 

I. Silas, b. Dec. 12, 1797; d. unmd. in Stow March 

4, 1856. 
II. Josiah, b. Jan. 21, 1799, 

III. Stisan, b. July 2, 1801. 

IV. Ohio, b. April 29, 1803; md. Sept. 17, 1849, 

Sarah Ellis, dau. of Jesse Ellis. They resided 
in Stow many years and both d. in this town. 
V. Horatio, b. July 25, 1805 ; d. unmd. 
VI. Nancy, b. Nov. 11, 1806. 
VII. Reuben, b. Marth 17, 1808. 
VIII. Sally, b. Sept. 17, 1811. 
IX. Anna, b. May 7, 1815; md. Nov. 29, 1846, 
Ephraim Ray of Stow; she d. March 1, 1877. 

Capt. Silas Whitney, son of Capt. Silas, md. Dec. 31, 
1801, Hannah Gushing, dau. of Capt. David Gushing, 
q. V. He was a farmer on a part of the homestead for 



960 



HISTORY OF ASHBUKNHAM. 



19 
20 
21 
22 



23 
24 

25 

26 
27 



28 
29 

(5) 



several years and was an officer in the militia at an early 
age. He was a lieutenant in 1803 and was styled captain 
after 1804 or 1805, but a record of the latter commission 
has not been found. He resided in Walpole, N. H., from 
1810 to 1815 and possibly a year or two longer. After 
his return to this town he was a farmer. He was a man 
of more than average ability. He d. Sept. 4, 1846 ; his 
widow d. March 5, 1854. 

1. Silas, b. April 28, 1803 ; md. April 27, 1826, 

Olive Knight of West Boylston. 
11. Hannah Gushing, b. Sept. 15, 1805 ; d. in Balti- 
more, Md., Nov. 26, 1826. 

III. David Gushing, b. Feb. 24, 1808 ; d. Aug. 6, 

1809. 

IV. David Gushing, b. April 14, 1810; md. Nov. 21, 

1832, Tila Bowditch ; md. (2d) Harriet A. 
Shepstone. He resided in Walpole, N. H., 
where he d. 1878. 

1 Joseph. 
2. Charles. 

V. Susan, h. Aug. 21, 1812; d. young. 
VI. Gharles, b. June 18, 1815. -|- 

VII. Joseph Gushing, b. Jan. 23, 1818 ; md. Feb. 3, 
1842, Florence E. Weston. He is a merchant 
in Baltimore, Md. 
vm. Sarah, b. June 22, 1820; md. Oct. 31, 1844, 
James W. Gardner of Hingham. She d., s. p., 
at Springfield May 30, 1865. 
IX. Milton, b. Oct. 9, 1823 ; resided in Baltimore, 
Md. Vide page 492. He md. Nov. 24, 1846, 
Annie M. Weston. He d. Sept. 3, 1875. 



Samuel Whitney, son of Capt. Silas, md. Aug. 12, 
1802, Abigail Wilder, dau. of Caleb Wilder, q. v. He 
was a farmer, residing on the farm now of his son, Austin 
Whitney. He was an enterprising, active man. He d. 
May 9, 1837. His wife d. Oct. 23, 1861. 

Samuel, b. Oct. 28,'l802 ; d. Sept. 3, 1805. 

Merrick, b. Dec. 31, 1804. + 

Jane Vincent Woodwaixl, b. Aug. 11, 1807; d. 

Sept. 10, 1810. 
Samuel, b. Feb. 25, 1810; d. Dec. 17, 1810. 
Austin, h. Dec. 21, 1811 ; d. Sept. 7, 1814. 
Gharles Wilder, b. Jan. 10, 1814.+ 
VII. Austin, b. April 16, 1816.-J- 



30 


I 


31 


II 


32 


III 


33 


IV 


34 


V 


35 


VI 


36 


VII 



GENEALOGICAL HHCilSTEK. 



961 



37 

38 
39 
40 



<6) 



41 



42 
43 
44 

45 



46 
47 

(7) 



III. Jane Elizabeth^ b. July 7, 1818; uumd. ; d Nov 

12, 1847. 
IX. Samuel Vincent, b. May 25, 1820.-}- 
X. Quincy, b. Oct. 7, 1822. -f- 
XI. Horatio Nelson, b. Oct. 3, 1824 ; was a farmer in 

this town ; md. 1853, Mary Eliza Carlton. He 

d. Feb. 18, 1858 ; no children. 



"William Whitney, son of Capt. Silas, md. May 22, 
1808, Lucy Brooks. She d. Dec. 4, 1829 ; md. (2d) May 
7, 1830, Mercy (Burgess) Bemis, dau. of Ebenezer 
Burgess, q. v., and widow of Jonas Bemis, (j. v. He d. 
July 22, 1852 ; his widow resides with her youngest dau. 
in Fitchburg. He was a farmer; occupying a portion of 
the homestead, and lived above reproach. 

I. William, b. July 22, 1809. Vide page 512. He 

md. May 7, 1840, Julia Emerson, dan. of Dea. 

Timothy Emerson ; she d. Nov. 10, 1864 ; md. 

(2d) April 19, 1866, Mrs. Catherine H. 

Courtney. Rev. William Whitney resides at 

Granville, Ohio. 
II. Silas, b. May 26, 1811 ; resides in Fitchburg ; md. 

1844, Susan Eddy ; md. (2d) MarvE. Whitney. 
III. George, b. April 6, 1814; md. 1849,^ Marv Wedge 

of Boston. He d. May, 1858. No children. 
. IV. Lucy, b. Dec. 27, 1818; md. Alonzo L. Willard, 

q. V. 
V. Catherine, b. Feb. 3, 1820 ; md. William Brown 

of Fitchburg; md. (2d) Charles Davis of 

Fitchburg. There were three children of 

William and Catherine (Whitney) Brown, two 

of whom d. in infancy. 

1. JuUa, b. ; md. Herbert A. Willard, 

sou of Alonzo L. Willard, q. v. 

VI. Sarah Ann, b. April 30, 1831 ; md. Newton 
Hayden, q. v. 



Ohio Whitnf>y, son of Capt. Silas, was a farmer in this 
town, residing on a portion of the homestead. He md. 
Jan. 3, 1809, Mary Bolton, b. May 21,. 1791, dau. of 
Aaron and Dorcas (Winship) Bolton of Westminster; 
she d. Aug. 30, 1843. He md. (2d) June 9, 1844, 
Dorothy (Maynard) Brown, widow of John Brown, q. v. 
He d. March 23, 1870; she d. Aug. 8, 1885. Mr. 
Whitney was a man of ability and unusual force of 
character. The record of his life and good works is 

61 



962 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 




48 

49 
50 
51 
52 
53 

54 

55 
56 
57 
58 
59 
60 



THK OHIO WHITXKV HOMESTEAD. 

engraven in the annals of Ashburnhara. He was a 
selectman several years and honorably discharged every 
trust At all times and under all circumstances he com- 
manded the respect and affectionate regard of his towns- 



. Mary Bolton, b. July 23, 1809; nid. James 
Adams, q. v. 
Jaso7i, b. Feb. 10, 1811.-f 
Ohio, b. June 9, 18] 3. -f 

Sarah, b. April 5, 1815 ; md. Walter Adams, 7. v. 
Amos, b. June 7, 1817. -f- 
DoUy Winship, b. Jan. 19, 1819; md. Joseph 

Adams, q. v. 
Harriet Jackson, h. Dec. 8, 1820 ; md. Salmon W 

Putnam, q. v. 
Francis Alexander, b, Aug. 2, 1823. -f- 
Wolter, b. Jan. 1, 1825. -f 
Ivers B., b. Aug. 1, 1827; d. Sept. 8, 1829. 
Auron, b. March 20, 1829 ; d. Sept. 5, 1830. 
Nancy, b. Feb. 23, 1831 ; d. Oct. 20, 1847 
Abbie Ellis, b. Feb. 25, 1836 ; md. Dec. 5, 1857, 
Charles W. Barrell, son of Dea. Luther Barrell 
ot Westminster; he d. March 23, 1865; she 
md. (2d) Simeon Merritt, q. v. 



II 
III 

IV. 

V. 

VI. 



VIII. 

IX. 

X. 

XI. 

XII. 

XIII. 







f A' 



-S^ 



■x^ 




(26) 

61 

62 



(31) 



63 
64 
65 



66 
67 



68 
69 
70 

(35) 

71 

72 



GENEALOGICAL KEGISTEK. 963 

Chaki.es WniTXEy. son of Silas, Jr., md. Oct. 23, 1845, 
Susan Davis, b. in Sterling, Jan. 22, 1822, dan. of John 
Davis ; resides in Central Village. 

I. Florence Eliza, b. Dec. 19, 1849; md. Dec. 22, 

1871, Calvin W. Burbank. 
11. Charles Henry, b. May 31, 1854; md. Jan. 16, 
1878, Emma B. Rockwood, dau. of George 
Rockwood, q. v. They reside in this town. 
He has been road commissioner and is a con- 
ductor on the Ashburnham railroad. 



Merrick Whitney, son of Samuel, md. April 5, 1830, 
Harriet Adams, dau. of John and Dolly (Gibson) Adams, 
q. V. He was a farmer and lived several 3'ears on the 
Samson farm, now of his son Hosea S. Whitney. Subse- 
quently he lived near Central Village. lie d. Dec. 2, 
1881 ; his wife d. April 9, 1877. 

I. Merrick, b. Dec. 25, 1830 ; resides unmd. in this 

town. 
II. Austin, b. April 10, 1832 ; drowned June 10, 
1846. 

III. Lincoln, b. July 1, 1834; md. Feb. 5, 1859, Mary 

Caroline Mclntire, dau. of Franklin and Mary 
G. (Adams) Mclntire — Adams register 77. 
He resides in Central Village. 

1. Jennie A., b. Dec. 20, 1862. 

IV. Hosea S., b. March 29, 1838; md. March 31, 

1870, Mary Goodwin Adams, dau. of Ivers 
Adams, q. v. He is a farmer and owns the 
farm formerly of his father. 
Y. Francina J., b. Dec. 5, 1843; md. David E, 

Willard, son of John Willard, q. v. 
VI. Clementina //., b. Feb. 2, 1847; md. Clement 

Pxlgar Willard, son of Silas Willard, q. v. 
VII. Willis W., b. Jan. 21, 1851 ; md. Nov. 24, 1886, 
Harriet E. Hyde, dau. of Alfred and Mary 
(Hastings) Hyde of Winchendon. 

Charles W^. Whitney, son of Samuel, md. Aug. 10, 
1848, Elmira M. Wilder, dau. of Joseph Wilder, q. v. 
He resides in Central Village. He is a millwright and 
wheelwright. 

I. Charles Burton, b. Jan. 31, 1853; md. Kate G. 
Robinson ; resides in Portland, Me. 

II. Alfred W., b. June 15, 1807. 



9 



964 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



(36) 



73 

74 
75 
76 
77 
78 
79 
80 
81 



(38) 



82 



83 

84 
85 



(39) 



86 
87 



(49) 



Austin Whitney, sou of Samuel, was formerly a mer- 
chant in this town and for many years he was engaged in 
morocco dressing. He resides on the farm formerly of 
his father, midway between the Central and the South 
Village. He has been an assessor and selectman and 
a representative to the Legislature. He md. April 4, 
1854, E. Augusta Holmes, b. Jan. 30, 1830, dau. of 
Leonard Holmes of Boston. 

I. Frederic Austin, b. Jan. 18, 1855 ; d. Dec. 26, 

1855. 
II. Ella Augusta, b. Sept. 1, 1856. 

III. Leonard Austin, b. June 16, 1858. 

IV. Samuel Nelson, b. April 23, 1860. 
V. Fannie R., b. March 18, 1862. 

VI. Alfred Washburn, b. Oct. 31, 1864. 
VII. Gertrude J., b. April 30, 1866. 
VIII. Myra Abigail, b. Nov. 20, 1868, 

IX. Florence Ballou, b. Jan. 21, 1871. 



Samuel V. Whitney md. Jan. 31, 1843, Sarah Ann 
Russell, dau. of Walter Russell, q. v. He was postmaster 
1853-6 and was engaged in several business enterprises. 
For several years he was prominent in the morocco busi- 
ness. He d. July 3, 1856 ; his widow d. April 9, 1875. 

I. Biissell, b. Nov. 13, 1844 ; resides in Gardner ; 
md. June 11, 1867, Maria Metcalf, dau. of Joel 
Metcalf, q. v. 
II. Willis, b. Nov. 22, 1848; d. Aug. 22, 1849. 

III. Eleanor, b. Sept. 28, 1851 ; d. July 29, 1852. 

IV. Luella (twin), b. Sept. 28, 1851; d. unmd. 

Jan. 26, 1877. 



Rev. Quincy Whitney resides in Cambridge. He md. 
Mandana M. Whittemore, dau. of Rev. Benjamin Whitte- 
more. He is a Universalist clergj^man.' 



I. Elmina 31., b. 
II. Armie B., h. — 

at Loyal, Kansas. 



md. Gerard Churchill ; reside 



Jason Whitney, son of Ohio, was a farmer in this town. 
He lived several years near Factory Village and later in 
Westminster. He md. May 4, 1836, Elizabeth L. Sam- 
son, dau. of Jonathan Samson, q. v. ; she d. Sept. 5, 



88 



89 

90 
91 

92 
93 
94 
95 
96 



(50) 



97 
98 

99 

100 
101 



102 



(52) 



103 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 965 

1841 ; md. (211) Aug. 16, 1842. Susan E. Barrett, b. May 
2, 1816; d. April 1, 1857; md. (3d) Nov. 14, 1859, 
Esther Ball, b. Sept. 20, 1821 ; d. Dee. 7, 1877. He d. 
May 16, 1880. 

I. Sarah B., b. July 29, 1837; md. May 18, 1858, 
Henry E. Thomas. He enlisted in 21st Regi- 
ment and was killed in battle of Cold Harbor 
June 2, 1864 ; she d. Aug. 2, 18.58. 
II. Emma E., b. Jan. 17, 1839; md. July 3, 1861, 
George A. Stone of Fitzwilliam, N. H. 

III. Charles IF., b. Dec. 7, 1840. + 

IV. Maria S., b. April 20, 1843 ; md. Henry L. Smith 

of Westminster. 
V. FranMin, b. April 20, 1845 ; d. March 15, 1849. 
VI. 3fary C, b. Nov. 5, 1847; d. Oct. 1, 1848. 
VII. Jason TF., b. June 18, 1849 ; d. Sept. 11, 1849. 

VIII. Abbie E., b. 1851 ; d. . 

IX. Ferdinand A., b. Aug. 29, 1854; md. 1876, 
Palmira 8. Gleason ; resides in Fitchburg. 

Hon. Ohio Whitney, son of Ohio, was a useful and 
prominent citizen of Ashburnhara. Vide page 486. He 
md. April 11, 1839, Mary R. Brooks, dau. of Elijah 
Brooks, q. V. He d. Feb. 6, 1879. 

I. EUeti Rebecca, b. Jan. 6, 1840; d. Oct. 10, 1865. 
II. Josie 3f., b. Aug. 23, 1843 ; md. Capt. Walter O. 
Parker, q. v. 

III. Georgie S., b. Aug. 26, 1845; md. Moses P. 

Greenwood, q. r. 

IV. Lydia A., b. Aug. 3, 1846. 

V. Clinton 0., b. Aug. 9, 1850; md. Sept. 12, 1873, 
Lillian E. Connant. He is a commercial agent 
residing in Boston. 
VI. Walton B., b. Aug. 28, 1859; md. Jan. 14, 1886, 
Sadie B. Sherburne, dau. of Warren and Abbie 
(Ames) Sherburne. He is a job and orna- 
mental printer in Ashburnham. and in 1887 was 
elected town clerk. 



Amos Whitney, son of Ohio, md. May 7, 1840, Hariiet 

J. Bemis, b. Aug. 20, 1819, dau. of Jonas and Mercy 

(Burgess) Bemis, 7. r. He d. April 20, 1868. He was 

foreman in the chair factory several years and also a 

►farmer. His widow resides on the homestead. 

I. Edwin A.,h. May 29, 1842; md. May 3, 1871, 
Kate E. C'ummings ; resides in Newton. 



966 
104 
105 
106 

107 
(55) 



108 
109 
110 

111 



(56) 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

Waldo F., b. April 22, 1844 ; is a dentist in 

Boston. He md. Jan. 2, 1870, Abbie Hale. 
Albert E., b. Jan. 20, 1847; nid. 1872, Mary E. 



V. 



Lowe of Fitchburg. 
Clara T., b. Jan. 22, 

Nathaniel Sarsfield. 

stead. 
Wihiiot A.^ b. Jan. 30, 1852 ; d. young. 



He resides in Newton. 

1850; md. Jan. 6, 1886, 

Thev live on the home- 



Francis a. Whitney has been a successful and pro- 
gressive farmer in this town. He has been prominently 
connected with the Farmers' and Mechanics' Club and 
has fully participated in the aims and work of the organi- 
zation. He has taught with unfailing success many terras 
of school and has been a memlier of the committee of 
supervision man}* years. In these capacities he has 
served the community and the town a longer period than 
has fallen to the lot of any man in the town's history. He 
has been an assessor and selectman and is a trustee of 
Gushing Academy. In all public affairs he has studiously 
canvassed the problems of his time and continues to 
occupy an advanced position among his townsmen. He 
md. Jan. 6, 1852, Lucy M. Lane, dau. of PLlias Lane, 
q. V. She d. Aug. 16, 1861 ; he md. (2d) Sept. 9, 1862, 
Sarah I. Watkins, adopted dau. of Jehiel Watkins, q. v. 

I. Earl Ingraham, b. July 25, 1865. 
II. Walter Henry, b. June 30, 1868 ;'d. Aug. 17, 1869. 

III. Henru Inqraham, b. Nov. 7, 1872; d. .June 17, 

1881. 

IV. Wmthrop, b. June 17, 1874. 



112 


I 


113 


II 


114 


III 


115 


IV. 


116 


V. 



Walter Whitney, son of Ohio, removed to Fitchburg 
where he d. July 23, 1867. He was respected for his 
candor and honesty and loved for amiable traits of char- 
acter and unfailing kindness. He md. May 1, 1853, 
Elvira Dunn, b. Dec. 16, 1827; she resides in Dedham. 

Walton, b. July 19, 1854; d. July 21, 1854. 
Frank Walter, b. June 13, 1856. He is principal 

of Chicopee High School. He md. Dec. 25, 

1882. Georgia Augusta Taylor. 
Mary Elrira, b. May 15, 1859; d. March 31, 

1S61. 
Jessie D., b. May 19, 1862; a teacher in the 

public schools of this town. 
Fred Ernest, b. Jan. 18, 1865. 



GENEALOGICAL KEGISTER. 957 

(90) Charles ^Y. Whitney, eldest son of Jason Whitney, 
md. Aug. 13, 1865, Ruana Barrell, dau. of Nahum 
Barren, q. v. He is a farmer on the farm formerly of 
William Barrell, which was severed from Westminster 
and annexed to this town many years ago. He has been 
one of the road commissioners several years. 

I. Wniiam C, b. May 27, 1866. 

II. Martha E., b. April 23, 1869. 

in. George F., b. Sept. 20, 1872; d. Sept. 11, 1874. 
IV. /Sarah JR., b. Sept. 17, 1875. 

V. Abbie A., b. Nov. 13, 1879. 



117 
118 
119 
120 
121 



122 



123 



124 

125 
126 
127 

128 

129 
130 



131 
132 
133 



John Whitney, son of Joseph G. and Levina (Dunn) 
Whitney, was b. in Westminster Sept. 12, 1806. He 
md. May 9, 1832, Eliza Gushing, dau. of Stephen Gush- 
ing, q. V. He resided some years in Westminster and 
subsequently in this town, where he was a pioneer manu- 
facturer of chairs. In his daily life and in business he 
ignored contention and enjoyed the rewards of peace and 
an honorable conduct. He d. May 4, 1873 ; his widow 
d. Sept. 1, 1882. 

I. Stephen C, b. July 4, 1833 ; md. April 14, 1861, 
Achsah I. May, dau. of Sumner May, g. v. 
Enlisted in 53d Regiment and d. in the service 
at New Orleans, Feb. 20, 1863. 
11. Eliza Gushing, b. July 25, 1835; d. July 13, 
1837. 

III. Joseph, b. June 15, 1838 ; d. Nov. 26, 1838. 

IV. Wilbur Fisk, b. Dec. 9, 1839. -f- 

V. John Edwin, h. Oct. 28, 1841 ; d. Nov. 21, 1856. 

VI. Timothy Merritt, b. Dec. 2, 1844; d. Nov. 22, 
1856. 

VII. George Edivard, b. April 20, 1847 ; d. unmd. 

Oct. 30, 1880. 
VIII. Orange, b. March 16, 1849 ; md. Jan. 5, 1875, 
Laura M. Gollester ; she d. Jan. 28, 1885. He 
is successfully engaged in the manufacture of 
cliairs at South Village. He was a member of 
tlie board of selectmen 1880. Since 1881 he 
has resided in Winchendon. ^ 

IX. Sarah Ann, b. Oct. 4, 1850; md. Feb. 20, 1878, 

George H. Glapp ; they reside in Greenfield. 
X. Arthur Melville, b. Oct. 4, 1853; unmd. ; resides 
at Grand Rapids, Mich. 

XI. Alfred Herbert, b. June 14, 1856; md. June 3, 
1884, Susie W. Davis, dan. of Phineas P. and 



968 



HISTORY OF ASHBUKNHAM. 



(126) 



134 



135 
136 
137 
138 



Sarah (Rice) Davis. 
Orange Whitney & Co. 
at South Villagre. 



He is of the firm of 
manufacturers of chairs 



Wilbur F. Whitney for more than twenty years has 
been actively engaged in the manufacture of chairs and 
has become an important factor in the business interests 
of this town. An illustration of his factories and an 
account of his business appear in Chap. XVII. In the 
personal supervision of an important industrj' Mr. 
Whitne}' has found full emploj'ment, yet he has been an 
efficient member of the school committee many years and 
has labored in this work with unfailing interest. He is a 
director of the Ashburnham National Bank and of the 
Nashua Keservoir Company. In 187o he represented this 
district in the Legislature. In 1878 he was nominated 
for Congress by the Greenback part}' and by a conven- 
tion of Independents. In the canvass he received seven 
thousand votes He was renominated in 1882 and 1884. 
In 1876 and 1877 he was nominated for State Treasurer 
and in several instances his candidacy was endorsed by 
the Prohibitionists. With the experience of years Mr. 
Whitney has joined the fruits of an attentive study of the 
social and political problems of the times. His con- 
clusions are intelligentl}' formed and his judgment of men 
and measures is free from partiality and prejudice. In 
municipal affairs he has manifested a commendable 
interest and at all times has maintained an advanced 
position among his fellow-men. In his daily life he has 
seldom wounded or disappointed his friends and has 
cultivated no enmities. He md. July 17, 1866, Emeline 
S. Jewell, b. Dec. 27, 1839, dau. of Dexter and Sarah 
(Mower) Jewell of Rindge. 

I. Oscar Jetvell, b. Jan. 22, 1871 ; d. Jan. 2, 1886. 
In this brief life was developed a maturity of 
mind and character that commanded the respect 
and summoned the love of all who knew him. 
If young in years he was manly and noble in 
habit, his emotions were the offspring of a 
reflective mind, and in thought and deed his 
kindness to his friends and associates, his purity 
of life and his obedience to duty were unfailing. 
II. Celena Moiver, b. June 24, 1873. 

III. Luella Cusliing, b. May, 4, 1875. 

IV. Ethel Eloise, b. June 2, 1881. 
V. Edith Lillian, b. Jan. 1, 1883. 




^^' 




GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



969 



139 



140 



141 
142 



143 

144 
145 



(141) 



Capt. Lemuel Whitney, son of Gen. Josiali and Sarah 
(Dwelly) Whitney, was b. in Harvard Sept. 19, 1784. 
He was about eleven years of age when his father 
removed from Harvard to Ashby. He md. Dec. 4, 1804, 
Elizabeth Hall, dau. of Henry Hall, Jr., q. v., and settled 
on the Hall farm in the northeast part of this town. He 
was'a captain of the militia and an officer six years. He 
d. July 9, 1853 ; his wife d. April 30, 1852. 

I. Henry H., b. June 11, 1805 ; md. Sept. 26, 1830,, 
Caroline F. Bailey, dau. of John Bailey of* 
Lunenburg. He resides at East Jaffrey, N. H. 
Six children. 

II. Dwell, b. Sept. 10, 1807. + 

III. Otis, b. Nov. 14, 1809 ; md. May 3, 1840, 

Hannah Parker. He was a farmer on the 
homestead and subsequently in New Ipswich, 
where he d. about 1884. 

IV. Betsey, b. March 18, 1812 ; md. Josiah Derby, 

q. V. 
V. Lemuel, b. Aug. 9, 1818. -f- 
VI. Nancy, b. June 23, 1822. 



146 
147 



148 



149 



Dwell Whitney, son of Capt. Lemuel, md. June 5, 
1829, Emily Derby, dau. of Nathan Derby, q. v. ; she d. 
; md. (2d) 1874, Rebecca (Gilson) Crouch, widow 



of Joel Crouch. He resided a farmer many years on the 
farm now of Walter Lawrence. He d. at Ashburnham 
Centre March 29, 1879. 



I. Mary Ann, b. July 13, 1831 ; md. John R. Hill. 

II. George 0., b. March 10, 1833 ; served in the Civil 
War in Fourth Heavy Artillery ; md. 1858, Caro- 
line Emma Willard, dau. of George A. Willard, 
q. V. He d. in Winchendon. 

III. Sarah D., b. Sept. 8, 183- ; md. April 20, 1858, 
Thomas W. Whitcomb, son of Silas and Louisa 
(Lincoln) Whitcomb of Marlboro', N. II. Tliey 
reside in Ashby. 

IV. AVZw?:?<,b. June G, 1836; md. 1860, p:iiza J. Cross, 
b. 1842 ; d. in Ashby Sept. 27, 1867 ; md. (2d) 
June 16, 1868, Elizabeth E. Wheeler, dau. of 
Oliver Wheeler of Ashb} . He resides in Ashb}' 
and has been a merchant in Ashby Centre. 

150 V. Leiois, b. July 9, 1838; md. M. Jane Lawrence, 

dau. of Leonard Lawrence, q. v. He is a 
farmer in this town. 



970 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



151 

152 
153 

154 

(144) 

155 

156 

157 
158 
159 

160 

161 
162 
163 
164 

165 



VI. Lemuel, b. Oct. 30, 1840; md. March 19, 1868, 

Sarah Isabel Ward, dau. of William Ward, q. v. 
They resided in Ashby several years ; now live 
in Providence, R. I. He served two years in 
21st Regiment. 

VII. Emeline A., b. Oct. 28, 1843 ; md. Walter Law- 

rence, sou of Leonard Lawrence, q. v. 
VIII. Augustus 6r., b. Sept. 26, 1845; md. May 12, 
1869, Martha S. Robbins. He is proprietor of 
the Ashburnhara and Fitchburg coaches. 
IX. F. Etta, b. Sept. 30, 1849. 



106 
167 



Lemuel Whitney, son of Capt. Lemuel, md. Almira G. 
Pollard, dau. of William Pollard, q. v. He has resided 
in Ashburnham and in Riudge and is now living in Athol. 

I. Adeline E.,h. March 17, 1843 ; md. Jan. 7, 1867, 

Pliny F. Woodbury. 
II. Lmira 31., b. Jan. 10, 1845; md. June 4, 1871, 
Henry H. Howard. 

III. Abbie M., b. Aug. 30, 1847 ; d. Nov. 29, 1861. 

IV. Aurilla M., b. Jan. 6, 1849. 

V. Albert L.,h. Jan. 22, 1851; md. Dec. 9, 1875, 

Lucy M. Wyatt. 
VI. Frcm'k W., b. Nov. 3, 1852; md. Dec. 31, 1875, 

Mary Emma Bass. 
VII. Susan E., b. Dec. 5, 1854. 

VIII. Myron H., b. Sept. 4, 1857 ; d. April 22, 1886. 
IX. Nelson C, b. Aug. 30, 1859. 

X. Ivers E., b. Jan. 16, 1863; md. Nov. 23, 1884, 
Martha E. Gardner. 



Levi Whitney, lineage not traced, was b. in Harvard 
June 23, 1751. He md. Sept. 17, 1772, Sarah Lawrence, 
dau. of Benjamin and Jane (Russell) Lawrence and a 
sister of Amos Lawrence, q. v. He was a roving planet. 
After a brief residence in Concord he removed to West- 
minster in 1775, and to this town the following year. 
Soon after 1780 he removed to Rindge and there he did 
not remain to gather moss, but in 1785 he removed to 
Marlboro', N. H., where death overtook him the following 
year. His wife d. in Rindge Oct. 19, 1783, and he md. 
(2d) Dec. 25, 1783, Hepsibelh Fay, b. in Westboro' Oct. 
1, 1759. 

I. Sarah, b. June 12, 1774. 
II. Lydia, b. May 20, 1776. 



178 



186 



(JKNKA LOGICAL KECUSTEU. 971 

168 III. Levi, b. May 12, 1778; d. Dec. 1, 1780. 

169 I IV. John, b. Aug. 26, 1780. 

170 V. Betsey, b. April 5, 1783. 

171 VI. Levi',h. Sept. 28, 1784. 

172 VII. Amos. 

173 Epiikaim Whitnet, parentage not known, and wife 
Sarah removed to the northeast part of this town about 
1780. He d. Nov. 17, 1784, and his widow remained on 
the homestead. In 1792 the farm, with other lands, was 
annexed to Ashby. Three children were b. in this town. 

174 I. Infant, b. ; d. April 13, 1781. 

175 II. RacJieU b. April 10, 1783. 

176 m. Dolly, b. Jan. 10, 1785. 

177 Isaac Whitney and wife Susannah removed to the 
northeast part of this town 1786. In 1792 his farm was 
included in the addition to Ashby and he continued a 
resident of that town. 

I. Isaac, b. Jan. 18, 1787; md. 1809, Sally Brough- 
ton, probabl}' a dau. of Wait Broughton. 

David, b. March 14, 1789. 

Susannah, b. March 14, 1791. 

Betsey, b. Oct. 30, 1792. 

Polly, b. Feb. 3, 1796. 

Nahhy, b. March 12, 1798. 

Samuel, b. July 2, 1807. 

Zimri (twin),"b. July 2, 1807; md. 1834, Nancy 
Lawrence, dau. of Alethon Lawrence, </. v., and 
resided in Ashby. 



179 


II. 


180 


III. 


181 


IV. 


182 


V. 


183 


VI. 


184 


VII. 


185 


VIII. 



Chester F. AVhitney, b. in Clarendon, Vt., Feb. 11, 
1820, son of Noah and Mercy (French) Whitney, md. 
Sept. 10, 1848, Persis B. Herrick, b. Jan. 26. 1823, dau. 
of Zimri and Mary (Brigham) Herrick of Chesterfield, 
N. H. At the time of their marriage they removed to 
Ashburnham, where he d. May 31, 1882. 

187 I. Frederick C, b. May 6, 1864; resides at Troy, 

N. Y. He md. July 27. 1883, Minnie R. 
Scoville of Cambridge, N. Y. 

1 JoHK WiLcoTT resided on the farm now occupied by 
! Joseph Cook, near the line of Rindge, from about 1815 
luntil his death in May, 1841. His widow d. Aug. 19, 
1844. 



972 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNIIAM. 



I. WilUaiii, b. 



; md. 182(i, Lucy Fairbanks of 



Fitzwilliara, N. H. Removed to Illinois. 

II. Nathaniel^ b. ; d. unmd in this town, June 

17, 1871, aged 67. 

III. Matilda, b. ; md. Jan. 7, 1817, Rev. Calvin 

Cummings, q. v. 

IV. jSarah, b. ; md. 1816, Elijah T. Smith of 

Fitzwilliam, N. H. 



WILDER. 

No name is more frequently met and none was more potential in the early 
annals of Ashburnhatn than that of Wilder. Yet no descendant of the early 
families bearing the name of Wilder has resided in this town for many years. 
The later families of Wilder in this town are descendants of other branches 
of the general family. Judge Joseph Wilder cf Lancaster, b. July 5, 1683, 
was a son of Thomas Wilder and a grandson of Thomas Wilder who was of 
Charlestown 1G40 and who became one of the early settlers of Lancaster. 
Judge Wilder was of the committee to locate and lay out the township and 
he became one of tlie orisjinal proprietors. Caleb and Joseph Wilder, sons 
of Judge Joseph, maintained an active interest in the settlement and are 
frequently mentioned in the early chapters. Both were large land owners 
and two sons of Caleb Wilder became residents of this town. 



1 



9 
10 
11 



Samuel Wilder, son of Col. Caleb and Abigail (Carter) 
Wilder, was b. in Lancaster, May 7, 1739. He came 
hither previous to the date of incorporation, and with the 
exception of a few months in 1765, he remained a valued 
citizen of Ashburnhara until his death. Vide page 477. 
He md. Feb. 15, 1768, Dorothy Carter of Lancaster, who 
d. July 28, 1790. The funeral discourse by Rev. Dr. 
Cushing was printed. He md. (2d) March 9, 1791, 
Abigail (Carter) Fairbanks, a sister of the former wife. 
He d. suddenly May 9, 1798 ; his widow d. 

I. Samuel, b. Oct. 18, 1769. 
n. Caleb, b. Aug. 26, 1771 ; d. Aug. 30, 1771. 
in. Caleb, b. March 22, 1773. -f- 
IV. Nahum, b. March 1, 1775.-}- 
V. Dorothy, h, March 14, 1777; md. Joseph Stone, 

q. V. 
VI. Beulah, b. April 6, 1779; d. unmd. in Boston 

May 13. 1847. 
VII. Ephraim, b. Jan. 26, 1781 ; d. Jan. 30, 1781. 
VIII. Ephraim, b. June 7, 1782. 
IX. Sarah, b. June 11, 1784. 

X. Abel, b. June 24, 1786. A physician in Black- 
stone. Vide page 510. He md. 1816, Fannj^ 
Richardson of Winchendon, who d. Feb. 23, 
1876, aged 90. He d. 1866. Ten children 
who have been distinguished in various callings. 



12 
13 



(4) 



14 
15 

16 
17 
18 
19 



20 
21 

(5) 



22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 



(jeneal()GI(;al ijegistku. 973 

XI. Thomas, b. July 7, 1788.-f 
XII. Milton, b. June 30, 1790. 



Capt. Caleb Wilder was a school teacher of merited 
fame. Fie was also a farmer and found frequent employ- 
ment as a land surveyor. He was a captain of the 
Ashburnham Light Infantr}' and was often chosen to 
office in town affairs. He md. Nov. 27, 1800, Sarah 
"Whitney, dau. of Silas Whitney, q. v. She d., felo de se, 
June 14, 1«20 ; he d. Jan. 29, 1834. 

I. Samuel, b. Dec. 30, 1801; d. June 11, 1817. 

This was a suicide at an unusual age. 
II. Sarah, b. May 7, 1803; md. May 4, 1826, Silas 

Smith of Westminster ; removed to Farmington, 

Iowa. 

III. Nancy, b. Nov. 19, 1806; md. April 24, 1828, 

David Laws of Westminster. 

IV. Silas Whitney, b. Dec. 13, 1808; d. Oct. 31, 

1812. 
v. Caleb, h. Oct. 28, 1810; nan comp. ; d. in this 
town. 

VI. Silas Whitney, b. July 26, 1814 ; he was a printer 

and publisher ; subsequently he was of the firm 
of Snow and Wilder, publishers of the popular 
railway guide, called The Pathfinder. He md. 
Caroline Bishop of MedBeld and d. in Toledo, 
Ohio, Nov. 14, 1854. 

VII. Abel Thomas, b. Oct. 19, 1816 ; d. unmd. March 

14, 1839. 
VIII. Dorothy Carter, b. June 16, 1819; md. Samuel 
Twombly ; resides in Iowa. 



Naiium Wilder md. Oct. 15, 1800, Hannah Woods, 
dau. of Samuel Woods of Princeton, q. v. He was a 
farmer in Princeton. She d. Aug. 19, 1828. 

I. Milton, b. Nov. 15, 1801. 
II. Mary Woods, b. May 13, 1803. 

III. Caroline, b. Nov. 26, 1805. 

IV. Lucy B., b. July 17, 1809. 

V. Samuel Woods, b. March 12, 1812. 

VI. Harriet Atwood, b. Nov. 8, 1815. 

VII. Alden Augustus, b. July 23, 1817. 

VIII. Solon Franklin, b. Aug. 11, 1819. 

IX. Sarah Fidler, b. Dec. 24, 1821. 



974 



HISTORY (^F ASHBUHNHAM. 



(12) 



31 
32 
33 
34 



35 



36 
37 
38 



39 

40 
41 

42 

43 



(43) 



44 

45 
46 

47 



Thomas Wilder md. ]MaiY Woods, dau. of Samuel 
Woods, q. V. He lived iu rrinceton a few years and 
removed to Ware. He was a representative in the 
Legislature from Ware. He d. suddenly at a meeting of 
the American Board of Commissioners of Foreign Mis- 
sions, May 31, 1867. 

I. Thomas jScoU, h. Jan. 31, 1813. 
II. Mary Woods, b. May 17, 1816 ; d. Feb. 23, 1826. 

III. Abhie Whitney, b. ; md. Charles E. Ryan. 

IV. Rehecca Kimball, b. . 



Caleb Wilder, brother of Samuel, was b. in Lancaster 
July 1, 1741. He md. Elizabeth Woodward and prob- 
ably did not remove from Lancaster to Ashburnham until 
about 1780. He was a farmer. His wife d. June 6, 
1799; he was drowned in Douglas March 25, 1816. 
The children may not be arranged in order of age. 

I. Deborah, b. 1774 ; md. Capt. John Willard, 7. v. 
11. Betsey, b. 1778; d. unmd. Jan. 11, 1854. 

III. Joseph, b. . He was md. and resided in 

Waterville, Vt., where he d. about 1823. 
Elmira M. Wilder, wife of Charles W. Whitney, 
is a dau. of Joseph Wilder. 

IV. Abigail, b. Jan. 3, 1783 ; md. Samuel Whitney, 

g. V. 
V. Nancy, b. Oct. 23, 1786 ; md. Josiah Lane, (j. v. 
VI. Rebecca, bap. Sept. 28, 1788. 
VII. Caleb, hsi^. May 10, 1789; resided in Fitchburg, 

where he d. about 1840. 
VIII. Charles Woodward, b. Dec. 30, 1790.-|- 



Dr. Charles W. Wilder was a physician in Templeton 
and subsequently successful in business and an honored 
citizen of Leominster. Vide page 511. He md. 1820, 
Myra Lawrence who d. 1843 ; md. (2d) 1844, Laura S. 
(Wilder) Kendall, b. Feb. 13, 1816, dau. of Elisha and 
Mehitabel (Dresser) Wilder. He d. Feb. 12, 1851. His 
widow md. Hon. Charles H. Merriam. 

I. Elizabeth, b. 1822 ; md. Dr. William D. Peck of 

Sterling ; she d. 1858. 
II. Abigail, b. 1824 ; d. 1843. 

III. Charles W., b. 1827; md. Emma C. Wood. He 

d. . 

IV. Rufus L., b. Aug. 31, 1843; Harvard College; 

M. D. 



48 



49 



50 



51 



52 

53 
54 
55 

56 

57 
58 

59 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 975 

Joseph W., h. Aug. 21, 1847 ; Harvard College ; a 
lawyer in Leominster. 



Joseph Wilder, son of Joseph, Jr., and Deborah Joslin 
Wilder and a first cousin of Samuel and Caleb Wilder, 
was b. in Leominster April 15, 1734. The "Book of 
Wilders" names his wife, Susanna Phelps. Perhaps he 
was twice md. for when he removed to this town in 1776, 
the name of his wife was Elizabeth. The family, accord- 
ing to the custom, was warned out, and ten children were 
named as follows : Willis, Elizabeth, Relief, Dolly, Peter, 
Esther, Rebecca, Lucy, Nathan and Molly. The father 
was styled Capt. Joseph Wilder. The family did not 
remain in town many years. 



John Wh^der, brother of Capt. Joseph, was b. in 
Leominster 1750. He d. in this town of small-pox 
Sept. 8, 1776. It is said he had recently returned from 
the army. I find no record of his marriage. 



JosiAH Wilder, son of Josiah and Miriam Wilder, was 
b. in Lancaster, now West Boylston, 1750. He belonged 
to the same general family but was fa^ removed in kin- 
ship from the foregoing families. He was a descendant 
of John and they of Thomas, sons of Thomas, the first of 
the name in Lancaster. Josiah Wilder removed to this 
town probably in 1776. He was chosen to office in 1777 
and succeeding years while he remained a citizen of this 
town. He md. Hezediah Larkin who d. July 4, 1782; 
he md. (2d) Feb. 4, 1784, Joanna Baker. At the incor- 
poration of Gardner his farm was included in that town 
where he d. 1826 ; she d. 1842. 

I. Azubah, b. March 23, 1777; md. Uriah Clapp ; 

d. 1852. 
II. Katie, b. July 19, 1779 ; md. Abel Jkirpee. 

III. Hezediah, b. Nov. 2, 1784. 

IV. Josiah, b. March 5, 1786; md. 3Iary Wheeler ; 

removed to Fitzwilliam, N. H. 
V. David, b. Nov. 10, 1787; d. by accident 1818. 
VI. Isaac, b. Nov. 23, 1789. 
VII. Joanna, b. March 30, 1792 ; md. Persia Jones. 



Jonathan Prescott Wilder was b. in Ashby Feb. 19, 
1805. He is a son of Asa and Rebecca (Emerson) 
Wilder and a grandson of Rufus and Vashti (Prescott) 



976 



HISTORY OF ASHBUKNHAM. 



Wilder of Ashby. Rufus Wilder of Asliby was a brother 
of Josiah Wilder of Asliburnham and Gardner. 

Jonathan Prescott Wilder has resided in this town 
about fifty years. He is a cabinet maker and lives in 
Central Village. lie md. Feb. 12, 1829, Betsey Town- 
send of Westminster, who d. June 2, 1871 ; md. (2d) 
March 22, 1874, Lucy (Kinsman) Hinds, widow of 
Francis Hinds, q. v. 



9 
10 

11 



Jacob Wilkek, b. in Germany 1731, emigrated to 
Boston in early life and there resided several years. He 
md. in Boston Anna Barbary Roberts, and with three 
children removed to this town in May, 1775. He settled 
in the east part of the town on land still owned and occu- 
pied by his descendants. He was a peaceable citizen and 
a good farmer. His full name was Jacob John George 
Wilker, but he is known in the records as Jacob Wilker. 
He d. Nov. o, 1816, aged 85 years ; his wife d. April 16, 
1803, aged 70 j'ears. 

I. Elizabeth, h. Aug. 7, 1758; md. Dec. 25, 1786, 
Benjamin Wallis, b. in Lunenburg April 15, 
1756, son of Benoni and Rebecca (Brown) 
Wallis and a brother of David Wallis of Ash- 
Ijurnham. He was a farmer in Ashby where he 
d. May 11, 1826 ; she d. Sept. 5, 1800. 

1. Betsey, b. May 17, 1788; d. unmd. July 

23, 1820. 

2. Susan, b. Feb. 26, 1791 ; md. Asa Woods, 

q. V. 

3. Rebecca, b. March 19, 1793; md. Asa 

Woods, q. V. 

4. Benjamin, b. Aug. 17, 1795 ; md. July 22, 

1829, Rebecca Foster, b. June 29, 1808, 
dan. of John, Jr., and Dorcas (Upton) 
Foster of Ashby. He d. in Ashby July 
23, 1876. Their children were: S. 
Augusta, wife of Hon. Amasa Norcross, 
and Benjamin F. now of Fitchburg. 

5. Nancy, b. Jan. 27, 1798; d. unmd. Oct. 

13, 1830. 

6. Levi, b. July 28, 1800; d. Sept. 5, 1816. 

II. George, b. May 14, 1761. + 

III. Susan, b. ; md. Feb. 15, 1794, William 

Tuttle. They removed to Alstead, N. H. 

IV. Catherine, b. Oct. 8, 1775; md. Thomas Bennett, 

q. V. 



(9) 



12 


I 


13 


II 


14 


III 


15 


IV. 


16 


V. 


17 


VI. 



18 

19 
20 
21 
22 
23 

24 
(16) 



25 

26 



(21) 



27 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 977 

George Wilker was a farmer on the homestead. He 
was a man of ability and a substantial citizen. In 1827 
he was one of the thirteen who petitioned the Legislature 
to be annexed with their estates to Ashby. The measui'e 
failed and his friendly relations with his townsmen were 
disturbed by the result of the issue. He md. July 31, 
1787, Martha White of Lancaster. He d. March 9, 1841. 

Joseph^ b. April 19, 1788 ; d. same day. 
Jame>i (twin), b. April 19, 1788 ; d. May 6, 1788. 
Martha, b. June 17, 1789; md, Dec. 29, 1842, 
Thomas Gibson of Ashby; she d. May 31, 
1846. 
George, b. Nov. 2, 1790 ; d. Dec. 31. 1791. 
George, b. Dec. 20, 1791.-|- 

Anva, b. Feb. 17, 1793; md. Aug., 1834, Asa 

Stratton, b. July 25, 1778, son of tibenezer and 

Tabitha (Davis) Stratton of Rindge. It was his 

second marriage ; she d. Oct. 26, 1840. 

VII. Abigail, b. May 14, 1794; md. Nathan Handley, 

q. V. 
VIII. Susan,h. Jan. 2, 1796; d. Sept. 29, 1799. 
IX. John, b. May 6, 1797 ; d. Sept. 24, 1799. 
X. Jacob, b. Dec. 9, 1798.-f- 
XI. Sally, b. May 9, 1800; d. Aug. 29, 1822. 

XII. Susan, b. April 23, 1802 ; md. Charles F. Crosby, 

q. V. 

XIII. John, b. April 23, 1805.4- 



George Wilker, Jr., md. July 12, 1814, Eunice 
Marble, dau. of Jabez Marble, g. v. He resided on the 
homestead, where he d. March 27, 1817. The sermon by 
Mr. Cushing on the occasion was printed. His widow 
md. (2d) 1819, Josiah Caswell of Fitchburg. 

I. Mary, b. Nov. 24, 1815 ; d. Aug. 6, 1822. 
•II. George, b. April 7, 1817 ; d. Aug. 29, 1822. 



Jacob Wilker, son of George, md. Oct. 4, 1823, 
Emma Richardson of Ashby, dau. of Abel Richardson. 
He was a farmer on the homestead. He d. Nov. 17, 
1862. 

•I. Joseph W., b. June 14, 1824; md. Jan. 1, 1852, 
E. Augusta Willard, dau. of George A. AVillard, 
q. V. He resides on the homestead. His 
children are of the fifth generation of his family 
in this town. 
62 



978 



HISTOKY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



28 

29 

30 
31 

32 
33 
34 
35 

(24) 



36 



1. Alice S., b. Sept. 25, 1H52 ; md. Sept. 19, 

1875, Hosea A. Hartwell of Ashl)y, son 
of Charles Ilartwell. 

2. MineA.,b. Oct. 11, LS.'xS ; d. April .")0, 

1872. 

3. George B., b. May 4, 18G2. 

4. Abbie M., b. May 1, 1866. 

II. Em^na J., b. July 22, 1827 ; md. Newell Marble, 
q. v. 

III. Mary L., b. May 1, 1832; md. Warren Marble, 

q. V. 

IV. Elmira R., b. March 1, 1837; md. John Billings, 

q. V. 
V. Elvira R. (twin), b. March 1, 1837; md. Dec. 
16, 1858, John H. Jenkins of Barnstead, N. H. 



John Wilker, son of George, md. Oct. 30, 1834, 
Phebe Fairbanks, b. in Gardner Dec. 1, 1809, dan. of 
Levi Fairlianks, Jr., and a great-granddau. of Stephen 
Randall of Ashburuham. He was a farmer. He d. Aug. 
3, 1880. 



I. SalUj, b. Oct. 9, 1835 ; md. 
of Everett Gates, q. v. 



Jacob r. Gates, son 



John H. Wilkins, son of Jason and Lydia C. (Seward) 
Wilkins, was b. in Salem Oct. 14, 1832. He resided 
several years in his native city and was a member of the 
common council. In 1862 he removed to this towu and 
is employed as overseer and shipper by the Boston C*hair 
Manufacturing Co. He is efficient in public affairs, and 
the rewards of good citizenship have been freely tendered 
by his townsmen. For several years he has been chief 
engineer of the fire department, and during the past eleven 
years he has presided at the annual March meeting. He 
is a member of the present Legislature (1887). Mr. 
Wilkins md. at Salem Aug. 2, 1856, Lucy A. Luscoinb, 
b. in Salem Aug. 20, 1836, dau. of Joseph W. and Lucy 
A. Luscomb ; she d. July 4, 1861. He md. (2d) Oct. 10, 
1865, Mira E. Barrett, dau. of Col. Francis J. Barrett, 
q. V. 

I. Nellie A., b. March 2, 1858; d. April 19, 1864. 
II. Clara i., b. Oct. 25, 1859 ; a teacher in this town. 



WILLAED. 

Major Simon Willard, whose descendants have been and still are 
numerous in this town, was from the county of Kent, England. He settled 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



979 



in Cambridge 1C34, and the following year he removed to Concord. His 
career was honorable and eventful, and during liis long life no one was more 
prominently connected with the affairs of the town of Concord and of the 
colony. He was a representative and assistant nearly forty years, and was a 
leader in military affairs. He md. Mary Sharpe, dau. of Henry Sharpe ; 
md. (2d) Elizabeth Dunster; md. (3d) Mary Dunster. He d. April 24, 1G76, 
aged about G8. Vide Willard Memoir for an account of the life and service 
of this distinguished man. 

Henry Willard, fourth of the fourteen children of Major Simon Willard, 
was b. in Concord June 4, lOoS. He md. July 18, 1G74, Mary Lakin, and 
settled in Groton. Subsequently he removed to Lancaster. His wife d. 
about 1GS8; he md. (2d) Dorcas Cutler. He d. in Lancaster Aug. 27, 1726. 
There were five children of the first and three of the second marriage* 

Henry Willard, son of Henry and Mary (Lakin) Willard, b. at Groton 
April 11, 1675, md. July 21, 1698, Abigail Temple; md. (2d) previous to 
1710, Sarah Nutting. He resided in Lancaster, and by change in town lines 
in Harvard after 1732. 

Henry Willard, son of Henry and Abigail (Temple) Willard, b. about 
1700, md. May 24, 1726, Abigail Fairbanks of Lancaster. After 1732 they 
resided in Harvard, where ten or eleven children were born. He d. Jan. 6, 
1774. Among their children were sons Oliver, Timothy, Jacob and John, 
who were residents of Ashburnham and are named in the following register. 

Lucy Willard, wife of Oliver Stone, was a dau. of Tarbell and Rachel 
(Haskell) Willard, granddau. of Joseph and Elizabeth (Tarbell) Willard 
and great-granddau. of Henry and Mary (Lakin) Willard. 



1 



Hezekiah Willahi), son of Hezekiah Willard of 
Harvard, md. March 25, 17G6, Azubah AVood of Stow. 
In 1768 he removed to this town but did not remain many 
years. The following fragment of a family record may 
be of service to any who have additional information. 

I. Lydia, b. in Harvard March 6, 1707. 
II. Molly ^ b. in Ashburnham Dec. 11, 17(j8. 
III. Infant, b. ; d. April 12, 1771. 



Peter "NYill.uu), wife Mary and one child removed to 
this town from Lancaster in 1778. He went away 
previous to 1787. 

I. Betty. 

II. Peter, bap. June 20, 1776. 
III. Joel, bap. Aug. 7, 1779 ; d. .Jan. 9, 1781. 



Oliver AYiLLARD, son of Henry and Abigail (Fau'banks) 
Willard, was b. in Harvard Oct. 13, 1741. He md. jMay 
29, 1764, Lucy Haskell, and came to Ashburnham 1765. 
His name is on the roll of Capt. Davis' company in 1775, 
and he was a selectman in 1776, 1778 and 1779. His 
name is frequently met in the records until 1783, when he 
removed to Vermont. It is said he had five sons and five 
daughters, and the names of seven children are found in 
the records. 



980 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



10 
11 
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13 
14 
15 
16 



17 



18 
19 
20 
21 



22 



23 
24 
25 



I. Oliver, 1.. Oct. 24, 17G.'>. 
11. Peter, b. Nov. 5, 17(>7. 

III. Lucy, bfip. Dec. 3, 1769. 

IV. Levi, bap. Jan. 27, 177o. 
V. Betty, bap. Ma}^ 21, 1775. 

VI. Simeon, bap. June 29, 1777. 
VII. Molly, bap. Sept. 5, 1779. 



Timothy Wii,lard, sou of Henry aud Abigail (Faii'- 
banks) Willard, was b. iu Harvard Aug. 8, 1748. He 
md. 1777, P^lizabethFarusworth, aud came to Ashburnham 
in 1781. He was au iunliolder on the David Eussell 
farm aud was au euterprisiug citizen. In 1795 or a year 
or two later, be removed to Vermont. It is uot probable 
that the records preserve the names of all his children. 

I. Lncy, b. Sept. 24, 1784. 
II. Susan, b. March G, 1787. 

III. Simeon, h. March 24, 1789. 

IV. Polly Collins, bap. Oct. 6, 1793. 



26 



Jacob Willard, son of Henry and Abigail (Fairbanks) 
Willard, was b. in Harvard July 20, 1734. He settled 
in this town soon after the removal hither of his brother, 
Dea. Johu Willard, and at once became a prominent 
citizen, maintaining a commanding influence until his 
death. In the preceding chapters relating to the events 
of his time and in the list of town officers his name 
frequently appears. Vide page 480. He md. Rhoda 
Randall. He d. Feb. 22, 1808 ; his widow d. Dec, 1832. 

I. Philander Jacob, b. Sept. 29, 1772.-f- 
II. Alexander Tarhell, b. Nov. 4, 1774.-J- 
III. Emma, b. Dec. 18, 1777 ; md. 1808, Rev. Thomas 
Skelton, b. in Billerica Dec. 16, 1779, son of 
John and Joanna (Johnson) Skelton. He 
graduated at Harvard University 1806 ; or- 
dained and installed over church in Foxboro' 
Nov. 2, 1808, where he was pastor until Feb. 
25, 1815; installed at Enosburg, Vt., July 3, 
1822, aud dismissed March 25, 1825. He 
resided some years in this town, where he d. 
May 8, 1838; his widow d., at the Home for 
Aged Women in Boston, Nov. 3, 1881, aged 
nearly 104 years. Five children. 

1. Thomas Willard, b. Sept. 10, 1810; d. 
young. 



27 
28 

29 
30 

31 
(23) 



32 
33 

34 



(24) 



35 

36 
37 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 981 

2. Thomas Willard, b. June 7, 1815; d. 

young. 

3. Daniel Hardy, b. June 18, 1818 ; com- 

pleted study in medicine ; d. April 20, 
1841. 

4. Charles W. H., b. Dec. 20, 1820; d. by 

accident Aug. 8, 1828. 

5. Catherine Emma, b. Dec. 27, 1823 ; md. 

Oct. 12, 1834, David W. Jewett ; he d. 
1844; she md. (2d) Nov. 10, 1857, 
J. N. Page, who d. Aug. 9, 1859. 

IV. Catherine, b. May 24, 1781 ; md. George R. 
Gushing, Esq., q. v. 



Philander Jacob Willard resided in this town until 
about 1825, when he removed to Ashby. He was a 
captain of the Ashburnham Light Infantry and was 
engaged in this town and in Ashby in the manufacture of 
clocks. He md. 1796, Rhoda Wheeler, b. in Ashby, 
Oct. 18, 1773, dau. of Amos Wheeler. They were 
divorced and he md. (2d) 1807, Hannah P. Snow of 
Dublin, N. H. He d. in Ashby Dec. 26, 1840; his 
widow d. Dec. 26, 1853. 

I. Augustine Horace, b. May 18, 1809. 
II. Julia, b. ; md. Rufus O. Severance. He d. 

in Ashby Aug 5, 1873 ; she d. June 24, 1874. 
III. Horatio, b. Sept. 25, 1819 ; md. Sept. 9, 1846, 

Joanna Robinson of West Scituate. He resided 

at Hingham and in Boston. Four children. He 

d. Nov. 6, 1862. 



Alexander Tarbell Willard removed to Ashby in 
1801 and for many years was an enterprising and 
influential citizen. He was postmaster of Ashby 1812-36. 
He became widely known as a manufacturer of clocks 
and many specimens of his work are still in use. In 
this business for some years his brother was associated 
with him. He was a large owner in the North Turnpike. 
He md. 1800, Tila Oakes of Cohasset. He d. in Ashby 
Dec. 4, 1850. 

I. Caroline Cutler, b. April 11, 1801 ; d. Dec. 22, 

1822. 
II. George Augustus, b. Feb. 28, 1803. + 
III. Catherine Cushing, b. Oct. 15, 1805; uumd. ; 

resides in Cohasset. 



982 



HISTORY OF ASHBUIINHAM. 



38 
39 
40 
41 

42 
(36) 

43 

44 
45 

46 

47 

48 
49 
50 
51 

52 



IV. Laura Sopida^ b. Dec. 17, 1808 ; md. Isaac 

Lawrence of Ashby ; d. in Lowell July 10, 1841. 

V. Emma Augusta, b. Oct. 15, 1814 ; md. John M. 

Whitney; d. in Boston Nov. 24, 1881. 
VI. Alexander Tarbell, b. Feb. 16, 1818; he is a 

dentist in Chelsea. 
VII. Lysander Bascom, b. July 18, 1821, resides on the 
homestead in Ashby. He rad. Charlotte Conant 
of Townsend. 
VIII. Charles Henry, b. May 2G, 1823; resides in 
Cohasset ; md. Maria Lawrence of Cohasset. 



George A. Willard is a farmer in Ashbnrnham living 
on the farm where his grandfather settled, lie md. Oct. 
28, 1828, Elvira Hunt, b. in Jaffrey, N. H., March 24, 
1808, dau. of Nathan and Abigail (Hale) Hunt. 

I. Elvira Augusta, b. Feb. 4, 1830 ; md. Joseph W. 

Wilker, q. v. 
II. Maria Smith, b. Sept. 1, 1831 ; d. April, 1843. 

III. Catherine Casldng, b. Nov. 1, 1833; iiid. Jan. 1, 

1854, George F. Crosby, son of Charles Crosby, 
q. V. ; reside in Fitchburg. 

IV. George A., b. Dec. 6, 1835; md. Dec. 16, 1858, 

Mary PI Martin, dau. of Ephraim Martin ; 

resides in Rindge. 
V. Caroline Emma, b. Sept. 2, 1837 ; md. 1858, 

George O. AYhitney ; md. (2d) George W. 

Milliken of Charlestown, N. H. 
VI. Mary Elizabeth, b. July 9, 1840 ; md. Robert 

Braddocks ; d. in Fitchburg July 27, 1869. 
VII. Ahbie Jane, b. JNIay 24, 1843; md. Immo A. 

Morey ; reside in Easthampton. 
VIII. xinn Maria, b. Jan. 13, 1845; md. July, 1863, 

Samuel E. Stone; she d. July 13, 1866. 
IX. Sarah Frances, h. May 5. 1847 ; md. July, 1863, 

Noah G. Jackman ; d. in Alstead, N. H., April 

26, 1865. 



Dea. Joiiiv Willard, sou of Henry and Abigail (Fair- 
banks) Willard, was b. in Harvard July 26, 1739. He 
md. 1765, Sarah Willard, b. Nov. 14, 1746. He was 
not md. in Harvard but the intentions are recorded there 
under date of Jan. 6, 1765. He removed to this towm 
1768 and settled on the farm subseciueutl}' owned by his 
sou, Silas Willard, Esq. He was a prominent man in 
town affairs until failing health prevented a continued 



60 



61 
62 



(53) 



(lENKALOGLCAL KEGISTKK. 983 

service. lu 1772 he was choseu a deacon and iu 1788 he 
expressed a desire to be relieved from the duties of the 
office. The esteem of liis brethren is reflected in their 
responsive vote, " That the church thank him for his past 
services and they wish him better health, and that he 
would officiate as often as his health will admit." After 
a lingering; illness he d. of consumption July 3, 1793 ; his 
widow d. Nov. 18, 1834. 

I. John, b. Oct. 26, 1706.4- 
Silas, b. Oct. 8, 1768. + 
Simon, b. March 28, 1770. + 
Sarali, b. Dec. 8, 1771 ; md. Abraham Foster, 

q. V. 
Henry, b. Dec. 25, 1773.4- 

Susannah, b. Jan. 13, 1776 ; md. Asa Peirce, q. v. 

Abigail, b. April 17, 1780; md. Rev. Leonard 

Bennett, a Methodist clergyman. 

III. Elijah, b. April 2(), 1782 ; a Methodist clergyman ; 

md. Thankful Gross ; d. at Saugus Sept. 5, 

1852. Ten children. Fide page 510. 

IX. Ezra, b. Oct. 11, 1784 ; d. mnmd. at , 1810. 

X. Jonas, b. May 2, 1786.4- 



53 


I. 


54 


II. 


55 


III. 


56 


IV. 


57 


V. 


58 


VI. 


59 


VII. 



63 

64 

65 
66 



67 
68 



Jonx WiixARi), son of Dea. John Willard, md. April 5, 
1792, Deborah Wilder, dau. of Caleb Wilder, q. v. He 
was a farmer and on the farm now of Benjamin E. Weth- 
erbee. He was a captain of the militia and a selectman 
several years. He d. March 23, 1850, aged 83 years; 
she d. Oct. 24, 1859, aged nearly 8G years. 

I. John, b. Sept. 27, 1793.4- 

II. Caleb, b. March 9, 1796 ; d. in New Orleans 
unmd. Dec. 20, 1819. 

III. Deborah, b. April 13, 1798 ; d. Oct. 15, 1805. 

IV. Emery, b. Nov. 24, 1800; md. Irene Benjamin, 

dau. of Daniel Benjamin, q. r. Eleven chil- 
dren. They lived in Pjrighton. 

V. Nelson, b. Feb. 15, 1803 ; md. Caroline Dwelley. 

Seven children. They removed to Eeominster. 
XI. Elizabeth W., b. .luly' 20, 1805; md. .Tosiah 
Locke, q. r. 

Merrick, b. Sept. 10, 1807.4- 

Deborah, b. Sept. 11, 1810; md. Levi Rice, q. v. 

iSusav, b. Oct. 1, 1812; md. Oct. 30, 1^834, Ben- 
jamin E. Lyndes ; she d. Jan. 18, 1835. 

Abigail, b. ; d. March 9, 1837. 

Infant, b. ; d. Mav 16, 1816. 



69 


VII. 


70 


VIII. 


71 


IX. 


72 


X. 


73 


XI. 



984 



HISTOKY OF ASHBUKNUAM. 



(54)1 



74 
75 



76 

77 
78 



79 
80 



81 
82 



83 



(55) 



84 



85 



Silas Wii.j.akd, Es(,>., sou of De:i. .lolm, resided on the 
homestead. Vide page 481. He was a eai)tam of the 
Light Infantry and a member of the boards of selectmen 
and assessors twenty years, and in liis influence in the 
clii'ectiou of pnblic aftairs he has left tlie impress of char- 
acter and ability. lie md. July 18, 17i)o, Mar}^ Jones, 
dan. of Enos Jones, q. v. She d. Feb. 11, 1837; he d. 
June 14, 1855. 

I. Mary, 1). Oct. IG, 1794; md. Humphrey Harris, 

q. V. 
II. Ci/Mhia, b. P'eb. 1, 1796; md. Sept. 17, 1816, 
Jonathan Y. Gross, b. in Wellfleet Oct. 15, 
1792, son of Thomas and Abigail (Young) 
Gross. They resided a few years in this town 
and subsequentl}' in Duxbury. She d. April 3, 
1870. 

III. Sylvia,, b. May 1, 1798; md. Jonathan Winches- 

ter, (/. /;. 

IV. Clarissa, b. June 30, 1800; md. Col. Enoch Whit- 

more,^. V. 
V. Lucy, b. July 4, 1802; md. Feb. 11, 1824, 
Ephraim Stearns, b. July 19, 1798, son of 
Samuel and Lydia (Clement) Stearns. They 
resided in Montague, Terapleton, Ashburnham, 
Rindge and Wincheudon. Ten children. 
VI. Mas, b. Dec. 8, 1804.+ 

VII. Catherine, b. Feb. 23, 1807; md. Dec. 22, 1835, 
Rev. Frederick P. Stuart, b. in Claremont, 
N. H., Aug. 15, 1805, son of Samuel Stuart. 
She d. Nov. 7, 1850. One child d. young. 
VIII. Lewis Lincoln, b. July 24. 1809.-|- 
IX. Harriet, b. Dec. 10, 1811 ; md. June 1, 1851, 
Rev. Frederick P. Stuart ; she d. in Fitchburg 
Dec. 4, 1877; he d. 1878. 
X. Louisa, b. Jan. 2, 1816 ; d. Aug. 3, 1816. 



Simon Willakd, son of Dea. John, was a farmer in 
this town. He rad. Feb. 23, 1792, Nancy Cutting, dau. 
of Samuel Cutting, q. v. He. d. July 20, 1854 ; she d. 
Jan. 29, 1860. 

I. Abel, b. June 22, 1792; d. unmd. in Cambridge 
where he was engaged in hotel and stage busi- 
ness. 

II. Anna, b. Dec. 16, 1794; md. Farrington ; 

resided in Boston and at the South. 



86 

87 



89 


V 


90 


VI 


91 


VII 


92 


VIII. 



(57) 



93 
94 
95 
96 
97 
98 
99 
100 

(62) 



101 
102 



103 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 985 

1. Mary Ann, b. April 4, 1823 ; md. Stephen 
Ward, q. v. 

III. Samuel, b. Oct. 15, 1796 ; md. Charlotte Lincoln 
and resided in this town until 1821, when he 
removed to Dighton. 

IV. Charles, b. Dec. 15, 1798 ; was a printer in 
Cambridge. 

Bromley, b. Dec. 31, 1801. 

Lyman, b. ; conducted a hotel in Cambridge, 

where he d. of small-pox. 

Hannah, b. ; unmd. ; resides in Cambridge. 

Oren, b. ; md. March 11, 1828, Susan Wyeth, 

b. in Cambridge May 6, 1798, dan. of Jonas 
and Elizabeth (Smith) Wyeth ; resided in 
Ashby, Ashburnham and in Leominster. 
Several children. 

Henry Willard, son of Dea. John, md. 1804, Martha 
Humphrey of Orange. He was a captain of the Light 
Infantry and is frequently named in the records. For 
several years he was a blacksmith at North Ashburnham, 
and late in life he removed to Winchester, N. H. The 
records and a prolonged search elsewhere furnish the 
briefest record. 

I. Thomas Jefferson, b. Nov. 28, 1805. 
II. Francis Alexander, b. Nov. 4, 1807. 

III. Ezra. 

IV. Henry. 
V. Martha. 

VI. Lydia. 
VII. Lois. 
VIII. Samantha. 

Jonas Willahd, son of Dea. .John, md. Iluth Lincoln 
and resided a few years in Dightou, where his eldest son 
was b. About 1814 he returned to Ashburnham. He 
was a farmer at North Ashburnham. He d. April 17, 
1854 ; his widow d. July 20, 1857. 

I. Alonzo L., b. June 1, 1812.-}- 

II. Charlotte A., b. Jan. 26, 1815; md. March 11, 
1835, Hiram Dwinnell ; she d. Jan. 21, 1854. 
He md. (2d) 1855, Zurilla Stone of Oxford ; he 
d. March 21, 1874. 

1. Jonas Willard, b. 1839. Served in the 
21st Regiment ; lost an arm. Has been 



986 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



104 

105 

106 
107 
108 

109 
110 
111 



(63) 



112 



postmaster aud station agent at Bur- 
rageville. lie md. Nov. 19, 1867, Sarah 
E. Pierce; she d. Not. 2, 1880; md. 
(2d) Sept. 17, 1886. Mary E. Casey. 

2. Waldo, b. 1842. Enlisted in the ^ 21st 

Regiment ; d. in Andersonville prison, 
Sept., 1864. 

3. Minerva, b. Sept. 3, 1847; d. April 16, 

1862. 

III. Marcus M., b. March 17, 1817 : d. Dec. 4, 1841. 

IV. Alfred B., b. April 26, 1819 ; d. Sept. 11, 1825. 
V. Fannie 3/., b. April 4, 1822: d. in Leominster, 

unmd., Ang. 21, 1877. 
VI. Alfred L., b. Dec. 11, 1825 ; d. young. 
VII. Almeda, b. May 2, 1829, d. young. 
VIII. Elizabeth, b. July 3. 1832 ;md. Frank N. Bout- 
well of Leominster. 



118 



(69) 



John Willaiu), son of Capt. John, md. July 4, 1820, 

Polly Corey, dau. of Stephen Corey. He was a farmer 

on the homestead, now of Benjamin E. Wetherbee. He 

was a man of liood ability. He d. Ausi\ 5, 1853 ; she d. 

Vpril 30, 18.")(;.' 

I. Mary Ann, 1). April 18, 1821 : md. Franklin B. 

Stoddard, h. Oct. 19, 1823, son of Charles and 

Lovisa (Brigham) Stoddard of Chestertield, N. 

H. ; she d. ^- . 

Lifant, b. Aug., 1823: d. Oct. 2, 1823. 

John Merrick^h. March 24, 1825 : d. unmd. 1849. 

Meliitda Corey, h. M.arch 22, 1828 : md. Nathaniel 

Pierce, q. r. 

Infant, b. ; d. Sept. 21, 1830. 

JaneAlmira, h. Aug. 6, 1832; md. Oct. 23, 1856, 

Charles (I. Cushing, son of Lal)an Cushing, 

q. V. 
David E., b. Sept. 28, 1839; md. Juue 12, 1876, 

Francena J. Whitney, dau. of Merrick Whitney, 

g. r. He is in the livery Inisiiiess in Fitchburg. 

Two children. 



Mkrkk'k Wii.LAiiu, son of Capt. John, was a farmer in 
this town. He md. May 30, 1<S30, INIary G. Smith, who 
d. May 2, 1837 ; md. (2(1) Oct. 9, 1837, Theda Stoddard, 
b. May 10, 1813, dau. of Charles and Lovisa (Brigham) 
Stoddard of CliesterReld, N. H. He d. Aug. 21, 1877; 
his widoAv resides in tliis town. 



113 


II 


114 


HI 


115 


IV 


116 


V 


117 


VI 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 987 

119 I. Edward T., b. May 23, 1831 ; d. June 1, 1850. 

120 n. Charles M., h. June 30, 1832; resides in Cali- 

forni<a ; unnid. 

121 1 HI. Mary Jane, b. Fel). IG, 1H3(; : nid. Austin Brooks, 
: V. r. 

122 IV. Francis S., 1). Jan. 9, 1842; enlisted in Company 
A, 30th Keginieut ; d. in tlie service ¥eh. 8, 
18G3. 

123 V. Julia A., b. July 8, ]84r> ; nid. Charles W. 
Kendall ; reside in Fitchbur<>-, 

124 VI. EUen 3f., 1). Oct. 7, 1847; d. July 17, 1870. 

125 VII. John Quiiicy, b. Sept. 10, 1849 : md. Dec. 24, 
1873, Martha A. Puffer, dau. of Reul)en Puffer, 
q. r. ; resides in this town. 

126 VIII. Frederic E., h. Jan. 3, 1852; md. Feb. 20, 1878, 
Almira A. Williams, h. Oct. 31, 1858, dau. of 
David W. AVilliams of Richmond, N. H. She 
d. Oct. 17, 1881 ; he d. Nov. 20, 1882. 

127 IX. Eva J., 1). Apiil 4, 1854 ; unmd. ; resides at home. 

128 X. Royal Ellis, b. June 23, 1857 ; md. Nov. 27, 1878, 
Annette AVallace ; md. (2d) Oct. 3, 1883, Ida 
Ripley ; resides in this town. 



(79) 

129 
130 
131 

132 



.133 
134 
135 



136 

137 



Silas Willakd, son of Silas, md. May 27, 1830, 
Sabrina Lawrence, dau. of Capt. Moses Lawrence, g. v., 
and has remained a resident of this town ; his wife d. 
March 30, 1886. 

I. Ellen, b. Feb. 19, 1831; md. Solomon H. Stod- 
dard, (J. r. 
II. Charlps Albert, h. Aug. 10, 1832; md. Oct. 5, 
1858, Sarah L. iJaldwin of Hinsdale, N. II. 

III. Augustine, 1). May 15, 1834; md. July 20, 1860, 

Mary E. Dix. lie is a manufacturer of furni- 
ture in Buchanan, Mich. 

IV. George F.,h. May 30, 1836; md. Oct. 29, 1859, 

Ann M. Collins. He d. in Ashburuham Aug. 
15, 1865. 
V. Austin, b. Sept. 12, 1838 ; d. Oct. 3, 1840. 
VI. Esther, b. March 11, 1841 ; d. April 29, 1841. 
VII. Esther Jane, b. Feb. 21, 1842 ; md. Fel). 26, 1866, 
Major Josiah AV. Bride, b. in Berlin Nov. 23, 
1845, son of Amos and Aliigail (Smith) Bride. 
He was an oflicer of Comi)any E, and major of 
the Sixth Hegiment, from 187.") to 1884. 
VIII. Henrietta, I). June 26, 1844 ; d. April 28, 1846. 
IX. Clement Edgar, b. Aug. 30, 1847; md. Dec. 31, 
1874, Harriet Clementine Whitney, dau. of 



988 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



138 



(81) 



139 
140 



(101) 



141 



142 



143 



144 



Merrick Whitney, Q- v- He resides at Central 
Village, and, with Luther B. Adams in firm of 
Adams & Willard, is maniifnctnring chairs at 
South Village. 
X. Flora Emma,h. Feb. 7, 1850 ; md. Feb. 23, 1871, 
Frank B. Gilson, b. in Chesterfield, N. H., 
June 22, 1849, son of Luke H. and Caroline 
(Walton) Gilson. He is of the firm of Marble 
& Gilson, dealers in stoves, hardware and 
groceries. 



Lewis L. Willard, son of Silas, md. Dec. 13, 1832, 
Lydia Clark, dau. of David Clark, q. v. He resided in 
this town and in Leominster. He d. in Somerville. 

I. Elizabeth Ann, b. March 8, 1835. 
II. Cynthia, b. Aug. 25, 1838. 



Alonzo L. Willard, son of Jonas, md. May 7, 1837, 
Lucy Whitney, dau. of William Whitney, q. v. He is an 
intelligent farmer, living on the William Whitney farm. 

I. Albert T., b. Feb. 22, 1838; md. May 23, 1801, 
Wealthy Kendall, dau. of Alvin Kendall, q. i\ 
They reside in Bethel, Vt. Two children. 
II. William Henry, b. March 4, 1842 ; resides at 
South Village. He md. May 17, 1870, Mary 
C. Birrell, dau. of Andrew Birrell, q. v. Two 
children. 

III. Herbert A., b. Dec. 1, 1844 ; he is a machinist in 
Ansonia, Conn. ; md. Julia Brown, dau. of 
AYilliam and Catherine (AVhitney) Brown. 

IV. Lucy C, b. Sept. 9, 1850 ; md. George E, Newton 
of Waltham. 



John Wilson, b. in Bradford, England, July, 1779, 
was pressed into the English Navy in the War of 1812. 
He deserted the service in the harbor of Halifax and in -a 
small boat he made a successful voyage to Boston. He 
md. at Sudbury, Maj' 8, 1816, Susannah Davis, dau. of 
Amos Davis, q. v., and the same year he came to this 
town. He was a farmer and lived near the Dea. Jacob 
Harris farm. He d. May 9, 1859. 

I. Levi, b. May 15, 1817; md. May 28, 1843, Mary 
Pickering of Durham, N. H., and removed to 
Peoria, 111. 



GENEALOGICAL KEGISTEK. 



989 



(7) 



10 



11 

12 
13 



ir. Jane, b. May 4, 1819 ; d. imnid. in Winchendon 
Oct. 27, 1878. 

III. Abigail T., b. Nov., 1820; d. Aug. 23, 1825. 

IV. Barbara TF., b. May 8, 1823; d. Dec. 23, 1833. 
V. Amos, b. May 7, 1825 ; md. Nov. 7, 1847, Susan 

Spaulding of Gioton and removed to Marshall, 

Michigan. 
VI. John r., b. May 4, 1827. -f 
VII. Hannah C, b. Dec. 24, 1829 ; md. Nov. 23, 1853, 

Levi Barrett of New Ipswich. 
VIII. Sarah E., b. May 10, 1833; md. Jeremiah T. 

Stowell, q. V. 

John T, Wilson is a farmer and a painter, residing on 
the Peter Hunt farm. He md. Nov. 17, 1852, Ellen E. 
Godfrey, b. Jan. 30, 1835, dau. of Aaron P. and Mary 
Jane Godfrey of Chelsea, Vt. 

I. Albert M.,h. Oct. 2, 1854; a locomotive engineer, 
residing in Jackson, Mich. He md. Oct. 3, 
1878, Frances Waldron of Homer, Mich. 
II. John E., b. Jan. 16, 1863; md. Nov. 18, 1886, 
Josie A. Munroe, q. v. 

III. Walter H., b. May 7, 1864. 

IV. Came j;., b. May 3, 1866. 



"WINCHESTER. 

Rev. Joxathan Winchester of Ashburnham was of the fourth j^eneration 
of his family in this country. The lineage is briefly stated. John Win- 
<!hester, aged 19 years, embarked in ship Elizabeth in 1635. He settled in 
Hingham and was admitted freeman 1637. He md. Oct. 15, 1638, Hannah 
Sealis, dau. of Dea. Richard Sealis of Scituate. In 1650, he removed to 
Muddy River, now Brookline, where he d. April 25, 1694. His widow d. 
Sept. 18, 1697. John Winchester, eldest son of John the emigrant, was bap. 
in Hingham June 2, 1644. He lived at Muddy River and the records name a 
wife Hannah and subsequently a wife Joanna. He d. Feb. 1, 1717-18. The 
sixth of his ten children was Henry Winchester, who md. Oct. 5, 1705, 
Frances White. They resided in Brookline where their seven children were 
born; she d. Nov. 21, 1765, aged 86. I have found no record of his death, 
but it was before Dec. 11, 1750, when mention of his estate is found in Pro- 
bate records. In the preparation of this register I am under obligations to 
William A. Amee of Cambridge. 



Rev. Jonathan Winchester, the first minister of 
Ashburnham, a son of Henry and Frances Winchester, 
was b. in Brookline April 21, 1717. An account of his 
ministry is found in Chap. VIII. He md. May 5, 1748, 
Sarah Crofts. He d. Nov. 26, 1767; his widow d. July 
27, 1794. Six children were b. in Brookline and four in 
Ashburnham. 



990 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



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I. 


3 


II. 


4 


III. 


5 


IV. 


6 


V. 


7 


VI. 



9 

10 



11 



(4) 



(5) 



VIII. 
IX. 



Samuel, b. May 5, 1749 ; d. July 18, 1750. 
Elizabeth^ b. June 20, 1751 ; rad. Dea. Jacob 

Harris, q. v. 
Henry, b. May 25, 1753. -|- 
Jonathan, b. July 31, 1755.-|- 
Samuel, b. July 15, 1757.-f- 
Sarah, b. Dec. 29, 1758 ; md 

q. V. 
Mehitable, b. Aug. 13, 1762; d 

unmd., March 22, 1815. 
William, b. Sept. 13, 1764.-|- 
Mar7j, b. Sept. 2, 1766; md. 

April 26, 1796, Lemuel Jenkins, Jr, 

send. 
Ichabod, b. July 30, 1768 ; posthumous 



Thaddeus Brooks » 
in Ashburnham, 



Ashburnham, 
of Town- 



Heney Winchester resided in this town until about 
1800, when he removed to Malone, N. Y. His letter of 
dismissal and recommendation from the church is dated 
Dec. 16, 1810, but he had been absent several years at 
that date. He was a soldier in Capt. Gates' compaii}^ 
and remained at the siege of Boston in Capt. Wilder' s 
company until the close of the year. He md. in Lan- 
caster, April 30, 1780, Lois Phelps. Eight children 
were b. in this town. 



Jonathan David, b. April 28, 1781.-|- 

Sarah, b. Jan. 17, 1783; d. 1800. 

Lucy, b. Feb. 1, 1785; md. Feb. 10, 1809, Rev. 

Ashbel Parmelee. 
Henry, b. March 20, 1787.-|- 

Infant, b. ; d. July 21, 1789. 

Infant, b. ; d. July 24, 1790. 

Polly, bap. June 24, 1792 ; md. Barnaby Barnum. 
Siisanna Crofts, bap. Oct. 4, 1795 ; md. 

Fisher. 



12 


I. 


13 


II. 


14 


III. 


15 


IV. 


16 


V. 


17 


VI. 


18 


VII. 


19 


VIII. 



Jonathan Winchester was in Capt. Gates' company 
1775 and served an enlistment in Rhode Island 1779. 
He md. Feb. 13, 1783, Persis Whitmore, dau. of Joseph 
Whitmore, q. v. He was a farmer in the southeast part 
of the town and was one of the builders of the Lord's 
Barn. He was a man of unblemished character, modest 
and unassuming. His life was a sermon of peace and 
good will to his fellow-men. He d. Jan. 16, 1837, aged 
81 ; his widow d. July 17, 1837, aged 82. 



20 

21 
22 
23 
24 



25 
26 



27 



28 



(6) 



29 
30 

31 

32 

33 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 99]^ 

I. Z>o%, b. Feb. 10, 1784; md. Enos Kelton, son 

of Capt. Samuel Kelton, 7. v. 
II. Samuel^ b. Sept. 13, 1785.-f- 

III. Joyiathan, b. Oct. 9, 1787. -(- 

IV. Infant, b. 1789; d. Dec. 30, 1790. 

V. Per sis, b. Feb. 6, 1791 ; md. Jan. 4, 1843, Dea. 
Ezra Hemenway, b. Sept, 13, 1779, son of 
Samuel and Hannah (Rice) Hemenway. He 
was a deacon of the Hollis Evangelical church 
in Framingham. He d. June 26, 1847 ; she d. 
Feb. 24, 1873. 
VI. Caleb, b. March 12, 1793. + 

VII. Betsey, b. July 18, 1796 ; md. Nov. 2, 1819, Abiel 

Holt, son of Abiel and Holt ; resided in 

Milford, N. H., where she d. June 9, 1869. 
No children. 

vm. William, b. Oct. 19, 1798; md. June 10, 1824, 
Sophronia Holt, b. in Milford, N. H., Dec. 6, 
1803. They resided a few years in Boston 
where he was engaged in business. While tem- 
porarily sojourning in quest of health he d. in 
New Ipswich April 3, 1828 ; she md. (2d) 
Daniel F. Stevens of Amherst, N. H. These 
are the parents of George F. Stevens of Ash- 
burnham. Of William and Sophronia (Holt) 
Winchester there was one child. 

1. Alma E., b. Aug. 5, 1825 ; d. in Amherst, 
N. H., unmd.. May 13, 1866. 



Samuel Winchester resided in Brookliue and in 
Boston. He md. July 11, 1782, Martha Reed, b. Oct. 
15, 1759; d. Sept. 11, 1791; he md. (2d) 1792, Theo- 
dora Wales, b. 1767, dau. of Nathaniel and Sarah Wales 
of Randolph; she d. Oct. 6, 1795; md. (3d) Dec. 10, 
1801, Hannah Bates of Abington. He d. in Boston 

April 3, 1811. His widow md. (2d) Richardson 

and d. in Philadelphia. 

I. Samuel, b. April 25, 1783 ; d. May 7, 1807. 
II. Martha, h. June 12, 1785; md. March 8, 1810, 
Abel Hubbard of Groton. 

III. William, h. Nov. 21, 1787; unmd.; d. in Balti- 

more, Md., 1829. 

IV. Jonathan Reed, b. March 28, 1790 ; d. Oct. 18, 

1793. 
V. George, b. Aug. 1, 1793. He was a Methodist 
clergyman ; d. in Middleborough Nov. 18, 



992 



HISTOUY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



34 
35 
36 
37 

38 



39 



(12) 



1862 ; md. May 30, 1816, Betsey Curtis, b. in 
East Stougliton June 4, 1795, clan, of William 
and Hannah (Linfield) Curtis; she d. Feb. 2, 
1879. 

VI. Sarah Wales^ b. Dec. 30, 1794; md. Eoyal 

Johnson. 
VII. 3fary Ann, b. Oct. 3, 1802 ; md. Oct. 3, 1818, 

Cj'rus Brett. 
viii. Abigail Croclier, b. Jan. 21, 1805; d. Nov. 26, 
1806. 

IX. Aiigushis^ b. Nov. 29, 1806. He was a merchant 
in Philadelphia. He md. Oct. 5, 1828, Abigail 
Hutchinson, b. in Boston May 23, 1805, dan. 
of James and Sarah (Withington) Hutchinson. 
He d. April 7, 1869. 
X. Samuel Croft, b. Nov. 30, 1810; md. Dec. 1, 
1831, Ruth Elizabeth Gridley, b. in Boston 
Aug. 30, 1807, dau. of vSamuel and Ruth (Stud- 
ley) Gridle3^ She d. in Baltimore, Md., July 
27, 1846. He md. (2d) May 17, 1848, Julia 
A. Hancock, b. in Narrows, Md., May 30, 
1828, dan. of Benjamin F. and Mary A. 
Hancock. He was a merchant in Baltimore, 
Maryland. 

XI. Oliver Fisher (twin), b. Nov. 30, 1810. Hon. 
Oliver Fisher Winchester was Lieut. Governor 
of Connecticut 1866, and honorably filled other 
positions of trust in State and municipal affairs. 
In early life he was a carpenter and contractor 
in Baltimore. He removed in 1847 to New 
Haven, Conn., and became identified with sev- 
eral successful business enterprises and was the 
founder of the Winchester Arms Company of 
New Haven. He md. Feb. 20, 1834, jane 
Ellen Hope, b. in Portland, Me., Dec. 28, 
1809, dau. of Robert Hope, a native of Eng- 
land. 



Rev. Jonathan David Winchester was a Presby- 
terian minister of some celebrity. Vide page 495. He 
preached in Madrid and Waddington, N. Y., 1811-21; 
in Brighton, N. Y., 1821-25 ; and in Ohio several years. 
>He d. at Madison, Ohio, Aug. 17, 1835. He md. 
Hannah M. Bnnn, b. in Norfolk, Conn., May 11, 1784, 
dau. of John and Bethiah (Fields) Bunn ; she md. (2d) 
May 2, 1842, Joseph B. Cowles, who d. 1854 ; she d. at 
Staceyville, Iowa, Jan. 23, 1876. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 993 

40 I I. Philander^ b. Oct. 4, 1812 ; was by occupation a 
civil engineer. He was a pioneer in the anti- 
slavery and temperance reforms and his life was 
devoted to philanthropy. He md. April 9, 
1838, Elizabeth Oilman Calkins, b. in Water- 
bury, Vt., Aug. 16, 1814, dau. of Charles and 
Maria (Oilman) Calkins. He resided many 
years in Ohio and d. at Detroit, Mich., April 
24, 1878. Nine children. 

41 II. Dilectus, b. Jan. 17, 1814; d. Sept. 10, 1814. 

42 III. Darius, b. Sept. 29, 1815 ; d. Sept. 23, 1821. 

43 IV. Electus, b. Nov. 15, 1817 ; unmd. ; resides in 
Staceyville, Iowa. 

44 V. Mary Z>., b. March 20, 1822 ; d. Feb. 2, 1839. 

45 VI. 3Iekma, b. July 19, 1824; md. Sept. 14, 1861, 
Orrau Orcutt. He was postmaster at Stacey- 
ville, Iowa, where he d. Feb. 5, 1882 ; his 
widow was appointed lis successor. Two 
daughters: Edith Melana, b. Jan. 11, 1865; 
Orp'ha E., b. Aug. 25, 1866. 

46 VII. Amayidus, b. June 25, 1827 ; md. June 6, 1855, 
Margaret Patton. He resides at St. Joseph, 
Michigan. 



(15) 



47 

48 
49 
50 

51 
52 

53 



Henry Winchester, son of Henry, was a farmer in 
Madrid, N. Y., where he d. Oct. 22, 1836. He md. 1808, 
Sybil Whipple, b. in Malone, N. Y., May 16, 1791; d. 
Jan. 13, 1813; md. (2d) Aug. 22, 1814, Isabel O. 
Foster, b. in Middlebury, Vt., Jan. 9, 1785; d. Sept. 8, 
1868. 

I. David, b. Oct. 10, 1810 ; md. Oct. 19, 1837, Mrs. 
Elvira (Blanchard) Spring. He d. in Malone, 
N. Y., April 1, 1845. 
II. Holland, b. May 5, 1812 ; md. Sarah Sparhawk. 

III. Infant, d. young. 

IV. Orpha Maria, b. May, 1817 ; md. Edward S. 

Barrett; md. (2d) Dea. Harlow Perry. 
V. Williain Henry, b. Oct. 10, 1820; md. 1840, 
Eliza Sparhawk, who d. 1842 ; md. (2d) Jane 
R. Keesey. He resides at River Falls, Wis. 

VI. Warren IF., b. April 22, 1823. Middlebury Col- 
lege 1842 ; is a Congregational clergyman 
at Williamstown. He md. July 26, 1848, 
Catherine M. Seaverance. 

VII. Oliver W., b. April 18, 1826. Middlebury College 
1849. A missionary in Turkey under the 
auspices of the A. B, C. F. M, He now resides 
at Reedsburg, Wis. He md. Aug. 10, 1852, 

63 



994 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



(21) 



54 
55 

56 

57 

58 
59 



60 
61 
62 
63 



(22) 



MaryAbbie Learned; mcl. (2d) Oct. 9, 1856, 
Janette S. Jones. 



64 
65 



Samuel Wixciiester, son of Jonathan, Jr., was a 
successful farmer and influential citizen of Sullivan, N. 
It, where he d. Oct. 20, 1865. He md. May 7, 1813, 
Sarah Foster, b. in Roxbury, N. H., June 21, 1794, dau. 
of Enoch and Rebecca (French) Foster. He md. (2d) 
Chloe F. Bo3'nton, dau. of David Boynton ; md. (3d) 
Eusebia Fames, who d. June 12, 1880. One child by 
fii'st, eight by second and one by third marriage. 

I. Sarah F., b. Jan. 27, 1814 ; md. John Thompson ; 

md. (2d) Levi Barrett of Gilsum. 
II. Enoch Whitmore, b. April 28, 1816 ; md. Dec. 3, 
1841, Mary E. Petts ; md. (2d) March 9, 1846, 
Marl^ia Kingsbur}'. 

III. E7nory (twin), b. April 28, 181G ; d. Dec. 12, 1816. 

IV. Mary M., b. Nov. 22, 1817 ; md. Jan. 6, 1840, C. 

C. Comstock ; she d. Dec, 1863. 
V. Harriet Eliza, b. July 2, 1819 ; md. May 4, 1842, 
Jacob Staples. 

VI. Samuel Alexander, b. Ma}' 24, 1823 ; is a merchant 
at Grand Rapids, Mich. ; md. April 1, 1847, 
Mary Elizaljeth Criljbs, dau. of Matthew Gibbs 
of Framingham ; she d. 1848; md. (2d) 1851, 
Rebecca Baile}^ b. in Swanzey, N. H., 1825 ; 
d. July 21, 1877; md. (3d) Oct. -IQ, 1881, 
Martha (Gibbs) Bailey. 

VII. Alphens Boynton, b. March 19, 1825; d. 1872. 
VIII. William Warren, b. Sept. 4, 1827. 

IX. Chloe Angmta, b. Oct. 17, 1830 ; d. Feb. 15, 1851. 

X. Elliot C, b. Oct. 2, 1832; md. March 17, 1857, 

Annie E. Rawson. He represented Sullivan in 

the Legislature 1871-1872, and has recently 

removed to Grand Rapids, Mich. 



Jonathan Winchester, son of Jonathan, Jr., md. June 
22, 1815, Sylvia Willard, dau. of Silas Willard, Esq., 
q. V. ; she d. Oct. 3, 1832 ; he md. (2d) Dec. 31, 1834, 
Mary (Rice) Ward, widow of Caleb Ward, q. v. He was 
a farmer in this town where he d. Oct. 24, 1870 ; his wife 
d. Nov. 26, 1858. 

I. Albert Norris, b. Jan. 27, 1816 ; md. March 12, 

1848, Aclaline Lewis ; removed to Fitchburg. 
II. Harriet Amelia, b. March 10, 1818 ; md. Dec. 8, 
1837, Joseph Plaistridge of Cornish, N. H. 



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69 
70 



71 
72 



73 

74 

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GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 995 

Silas Willard, h. July 28, 1820 ; md. April 12, 
1842, Mary A. Gipsou, dan. of Henry Gipson, 
q. V. She d. Dec. 19, 1857 ; he d. Jan 22, 1859. 

Laura Augusta, b. Feb. 12, 1822 ; d. Jnne l'>, 
1837. 

Sylvia TF., b. July 5, 1832; md. Sept. 21, 1851, 
Frederick AY. Ilaskins. 



Caleb Winchester, son of Jonathan, Jr., md. May 
26, 1817, Lydia Sanderson, dan. of Moses Sanderson, 
q. V. He removed to Brighton and was actively engaged 
in the cattle and meat trade. He d. April 8, 1828 ; his 
widow d. Feb. 20, 1844. 

I. Charles, b. May 24, 1819. + 

11. Susan, b. April 22, 1821 ; md. May 4, 1843, John 
M. Whitney, who d. May 23, 1861 ; she resides 
in this town. 

III. George Otis, b. July 27, 1823 ; d. May 2, 1824. 

IV. Lydia Ann, b. Jan."^ 29, 1825 ; md. April 27, 1846, 

Joseph M. Whitman, who is living in Chicago, 
111. She d. Sept 16, 1848, leaving one son. 

1. Frederick, b. June 30, 1848; resides, 
unmd., in Chicago, 111. 

V. George Caleb, b. April 23, 1828. -f- 

CnAiiLES Winchester was born in Brighton, but his 
parents were natives of this town and substantial repre- 
sentatives of Ashburnham families. His father died 
before he had completed his ninth year, and the widowed 
mother with four children removed to this town. At the 
age of twenty years he opened a store on Water street and 
at once manifested an aptitude for business, which has 
distinguished his subsequent career. After three years he 
removed to a store on Main street, on the site of the 
present "Brick Store," and here he continued in trade 
alone and with his brother nearly thirty years. In 1842 
he purchased of Philip R. Merriam a small chair factory, 
which stood Ijelow the bridge on Main street. Under his 
sagacious management this business was rapidly developed 
and the store became an adjunct to an important and 
growing industry. In Cliap. XVII, reference is made 
to the growth of the chair business in this town, and in 
this connection the details are not repeated. Since his 
retirement from an active participation in the business 
affairs of this town, Mr. Winchester has remained a 
resident of Ashburnham. He lias been interested in 



996 



HISTOKY OF ASHBUKNHAM. 




liESIDENCE OF CHARLES WINCHESTER. 



75 



several commercial and mauufactiirino; eutei'prises iu 
Boston and at the West, and has made liberal investments 
in western and southern lands. 

He has been a director of the Kollstone National Bank 
of Fitchbnrg since its organization, and was a director of 
the Kollstone Bank under its former charter, and for 
many years he has beeu a trustee of the Worcester North 
Savings Institution. He is a trustee of the Gushing 
Academy and of the Wesley an Academy at Wilbraham. 
Yet, through the years of an active life, Mr. Winchester 
has never sought office nor desired positions in corporate 
and monetary institutions. 

As a citizen he has constantly manifested a commend- 
able interest in the growth and prosperity of Ashburnham. 
He was a generous contributor to the building fund of the 
Methodist church and to a substantial support of the 
society he has supplemented the gift of a commodious 
parsonage. The pipe organ in the church edifice was 
presented by Mrs. Winchester. He md. Feb. 28, 1844, 
Nancy E. Maynard, dau. of Antipas Maynard, q. v. 

I. Lizzie C, b. Nov. 1, 1847 ; md. Nov. 29, 1866, 
Herbert F. Whiting, son of Francis D. and 
Olive (Carpenter) Whiting. They reside in 
this town. 



76 

77 
78 

79 



(74) 



GENEALOGICAL REGLSTER. 997 

1. Frederick C, 1). Jiiue 1, 1.S68 ; d. Nov. 

17, 1871. 

2. Edith E., I). Dee. 2!l, 1870. 

3. Mabel L., 1). Dec. 30, 1874. 

II. Frederick C, h. July 13, 1852; iiid. .Time 23, 
1873, Ardella A. Pike. 



'George C. Winchester was boru iu Brighton a few 
days after the death of his father. He came to Ashburn- 
hani iu childhood. Iu 18-48 he was admitted to au equal 
partuership iu the store aud chair business iu the firm of 
C. and G. C. Winchester. In 1870, hj purchase, he 
became the sole proprietor of an extensive business, and 
after a few yeai^ of able and sagacious management his 
mental forces failed and his business became seriously 
complicated. At mid-age he had performed the labor of 
a lifetime, and the brain of the master refused to obey 
the commands of courage unhnpaired. W^th failing- 
energy he struggled for continued supremacy, yet all 
escaped from his nerveless grasp. If, in his methods in 
an hour of severest trial, he did not secure the approba- 
tion of his friends, he received their tearful symi)athy as 
he left a fortune he had made, a business he had founded, 
a town he had enriched, a village he had improved aud 
beautified, to the enjoyment of his early and later friends 
and associates. 

In former pages, referring to the business interests of 
this town, reference was made to the foundations he laid 
aud the edifice he reared. The architect in his personal 
habit remains, as yet, uuuoticed. George C. Winchester 
was unlike all other men. and his severest critics will be 
those who knew him least — those who never were invited 
within the inner warmth and liglit of a sympathetic and 
responsive nature. In his dail}' life, when free for a 
moment from the burdens of an exacting business, his 
affections were warm and his impulses glowed with the 
light of spontaneous kindness. If his numerous and 
thoughtful cliarities were not measured by the even and 
sometimes icy liaud of method, the sick were tlie recipients 
of generous donations, and the fading liours of nuiny of 
his neighbors were cheered and brightened l)y liis kind 
aud substantial remembrance. 

If, in his business life, he was swift to reap the fruits 
of his own sagacity and liberal in tlie iuteri)retatiou to his 
own advantage of any ambiguous conditions of a contract, 
he is still seen as an apt pupil in the business metliods of 
his time, and in the disciplines of liis life lie finds many 



998 



HISTOKY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



80 

81 

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83 



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10 



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precedents. And if in the supreme passage of his life, 
when he beheld his fortune, the fruit of continued toil 
and ceaseless activit}'^, fleeing from his grasp, when 
accumulating trials met him at every hand and the removal 
of embarrassment was the open door to disaster, if, in an 
hour of frenzy he overstepped the formulated rules of 
law and order, charity proffers the suggestion that he 
struggled for supremacy in a business once his own, and 
fought for a kingdom when exile, as time has proved, was 
the alternative of defeat. 

He md. Dec. 16, 1849, Sarah ^\ Handley, dau. of 
Nathan Handley, q. v. Only one of their four children is 
living. 

I. Herbert H., b. Nov. 29, 1858 ; md. Jan. .31, 1884, 

Carrie W. Sessions. He d. Aug. 29, 1885. 
II. Edioard G., b. Dec. 30, 18G1 ; resides in Ash- 
burnham. 

III. Waldo, b. Feb. 24, 1869 ; d. same day. 

IV. Willie (twin), b. Feb. 24, 1869 ; d. same day. 



Andrew Winter, a German, with wife Mary and two 
children settled in this town in 1758. The name is 
written Windrow in the earlier records. He d. Nov. 22, 
1792, aged 70 ; his widow d. March 14, 1814, aged 91. 

I. Philip, b. March 22, 1754 ; d., in the army, 1776. 
II. John, h. March 1, 17o6.-|- 

iii. Jacob, b. Oct. 21, 1758 ; he was in Capt. Wilder's 
compan}^ in the siege of Boston 1775, and d. 
a prisoner at Halifax in Nov., 1777. 
IV. Andrew, b. March 28, 1761.+ 
V. Mary, b. Aug. 24, 1763. 
VI. Margaret, b. April 19, 1766. 

VII. Catherine, b. July 19, 1769; md. June 22, 1792, 
William Carr of Westminster, Vt. 



John Winter md. Nov. 10, 1781, Phebe Wright of 
Lancaster. He served three years in the Revolution. 
He was a farmer in this town where he d. June 19, 1811 ; 
she md. (2d) Levi Maynard, q. v. ; md. (3d) Benjamin 
Hawks. She d. Dec. 27, 1847, aged 84. 

I. Joh7}, b. June 18, 1783. 

II. Buih, b. April 11. 1785 ; md. William Broughton, 
son of Wait Broughton, q. v. 



Andrew Winter, Jr., was in the army in 1780, and 
was subsequently a farmer in this town. In 1792 his 



gp:nealogical kkgistp:k. 



999 



farm was anuexed to Ashby. He md. May 6, 1785, 
Abigail Lewis. Five children were born in this town and 
one in Ashby. 

Jacob, b. Feb. 10, 1786. 

Jonas, b. Sept. 21, 1787. 

Levi, b. March 30, 1789. 

Asa, h. Sept. 4, 1791 ; d. March 2, 1793. 

Amos, b. June 24, 1793. 

Asa, b. Jnne 3, 1795. 



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III 


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V 


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VI 



WOOD. 

There have been several families of Wood in this town and very few ties 
of kinship are found among them. The first of the name in Ashburnham 
were the brothers Timothy and Ebenezer Wood who were grandsons of 
Jereraiah Wood of Stow and Littleton. They did not remain here many 
years, but both were among the men from this town who responded to the 
alarm at Lexington and one of them remained in the service until the close 
of the year. 

Jonathan Wood, a later arrival, was from Rindge. Among his ancestors 
were Michael Wood of Lunenburg, Michael Wood of Concord, son of 
William Wood, the emisirant ancestor of one family of Wood in this country. 
Nathan and his son, Nahum Wood, are also descendants of William Wood 
of Concord. Michael Wood, the only son of William Wood, the emigrant 
ancestor, d. in Concord May 13, 1G74. Abraham Wood, son of Michael, 
settled in Sudbury. His youngest son was Dea. Nathan Wood, b. March 24, 
1723; md. May 2, 1750, Kebecca Haynes. After a brief residence in Stow 
lie removed in 1756 to Westminster, where he d. June 17, 1777. His fifteen 
•children were living; at his decease. Nathan Wood, son of Nathan, was b. in 
Stow Nov. 7, 1752, and was nearly four years of age when his parents 
removed to We.>.tminster. He md. Polly Cowee and (2d) Margaret Hadley; 
d. Jan. 1, 1841. Nathan Wood of Ashburnham was a son of Nathan and 
Margaret (Hadley) Wood. 

Stephen Wood, who has resided in this town forty years, is a son of Joshua 
Wood of Hancock, N. IL, who was a descendant of one branch of the 
Leominster families of Wood. 



Timothy Wood, son of John and Lydia (Davis) Wood 
and grandson of Jeremiah ard Doroth}' Wood, was b. in 
Littleton July 20, 1749. He came to Ashburnham 
previous to 1770. He wns taxed here 1771, and in 1775 
he was a member of Capt. Davis' company of minute- 
men. About this time he removed to Rindge, where he 
lived about ten years when he removed to Harvard where 
he d. July 18, 1801. He md. in Ashburnham Nov. 20, 
1770, Elizabeth Cheney, dan. of Dea. Tristram Cheney, 
q. V. She d. Sept. 10, 1796. Three children were 
baptized here. 

I. John, b. March 24, 1772. 
II. Betsey, b. June 7, 17'<7. 



1000 



HISTORY or ASHBURNHAM. 



Susanna, b. Sept. 2, 1779. This child was bora 
iu Rindge and baptized in Ashburnbam when 
three days old. 



6 
7 
8 
9 

10 
11 
12 

13 



Ebenezer Woob, a brother of Timothy Wood, was b. 
in Littleton Jan. 20, 1754. He removed to Ashburnbam 
previous to April, 1775, when his name appears on the 
roll of Capt. Gates' compan}^ of minute-men. He served 
the remainder of the year in the siege of Boston in Capt. 
Wilder's company. He md. April 7, 1776, Phebe Brooks, 
and they united with the church in Ashburnbam 1777. 
The third child was baptized here Sept 24, 1780, and 
about that date the family removed to Washington, 
N. H. ; he d. Dec. 28, 1840 ; she d. Jan. 2, 1844. 

I. Lyclia. b. April 9, 1777. 
II. Ebenezer, b. Sept. 25, 1778. 

III. Jonas Davis, b. Sept. 13, 1780. 

IV. Asa, b. July 18, 1782. 
V. Mary, b. 1784; d. 1784. 

VI. Phebe, b. May 4, 1787. 
VII. Sophia, b. Dec. 27, 1788. 



14 
15 
16 

17 

18 

19 
20 



Jonathan Wood, son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Hart- 
well) Wood of Rindge, grandson of Michael and Mary 
(Platts) Wood of Lunenburg, was b. in Rindge April 
17, 1773. He md. April 10, 1799, Dolly Jones, dan. of 
Enos Jones, q. v., and settled in the north part of this 
town. His wife d. Jan. 8, 1818; he md. (2d) Dec. 21, 
1820, Sarah (Lake) Robinson, widow of Ezra Robinson 
and dau. of Henry and Prudence Lake of Rindge. He 
d. Sept. 1, 1825 {vide yyage 546). She md. (3d) Amos 
Stearns; md. (4th) May 19, 1842, Josiah Hartwell of 
Fitchburg. There were ten children b}" the first and two 
by the second marriage. 

I. Zidina, b. Nov. 30, 1799; md. 1823, Asa Dunn 

of- Fitchburg. 
ir. Laura, b. June 20, 1801 ; md. April 22, 1823, John 
Vose of Leominster. 

III. Dolly, b Feb. 3, 1803; md. April 8, 1823, 

Zachariah Parker, Jr., of New Ipswich. 

IV. Elnathon, b. Sept. 20, 1804; d. July 29, 1829. 
V. George, b. Sept. 29, 1806; md. Sept. 16, 1827, 

Luana Lawrence. 
VI. Betsey, b. June 25, 1808 ; md. Feb. 6, 1827, 

Luther Perkins of Weathersfield, Vt. 
VII. Zoa, b. Jan. 24, 1810; d. Sept. 7, 1822. 



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27 
28 



29 

30 

31 
32 

33 

34 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 1001 

viii. Lurena,h. Dec. 12, 1812; md. Jan. 16, 1831, 

Freeman Walcott. 

IX. Hao-ticell, b. Oct. 27, 1815; md. 1841, Laura 

Snell. She d. Jan. 1, 1843 ; he d. July 26, 1846. 

X. Jonas J., b. Jan. 1, 1818 ; md. 1852, Lucy Wood 

of Mason, N. H. She d. Nov. 4, 1853 ; md. 

(2d) 1854, Lydia Parker of Lawrence, who d. 

Aug. 12, 1859. He removed 1860 to Winchen- 

don, where he d. Oct. 13, 1863. 

XI. Eunice K., b. March 22, 1824 ; md. George P. 

Ward, son of Alvan Ward, q. v. 
XII. Eliphalet S., b. Feb. 2, 1825.4- 



Eliphalet S. Wood resided in this town until 1866, 
when he removed to AVinchendon. He has been constable 
many years and an overseer of the poor, and a deputy- 
sheriff since 1870. From 18GG to 1886 he was express 
agent at Winchendon. He md. Sept. 20, 1846, Susan H. 
Farrar, dau. of John Farrar, q. v. 

I. Ella Modina, b. Sept. 23, 1847; md. May 20, 
1876, John PI Wakefield; reside in Worcester. 
II. Frank A., b. May 9, 1850 ; d. March 2, 1851. 

III. George Farrar, b. Aug. 21, 1851 : md. Aug. 25, 
1874, Alice H. Merrill, dau. of E. S. Merrill, 
Esq. He is a dealer in furniture in Winchen- 
don. 

IV. OallaA., b. July 30, 1855; md Jan. 20, 1876, 
John W. Beaman, son of William Beaman of 
Winchendon. 

V. Oliver B., b. Feb. 7, 1857; md. Oct. 19, 1882, 

Jennie C. Flagg ; resides in Worcester. 
VI. Walter L., b. Ocf. 17, 1859 ; d. June 25, 1864. 
VII. Ernest Freeman, b. June 18, 1863 ; is express 

agent at Winchendon. 
VIII. Cora Etta, b. April 4, 1867. 



35 



Nathan Wood, son of Nathan Wood of Westminster, 
b. Feb. 16, 1802, md. May 17, 1827, Maria Barrell, dau. 
of William and Deborah (Chittenden) Barrell, q. v. In 
1835 he removed to this town. He resided in the house 
in Central Village formerly of Capt. David Cushiug, aud 
now of his son Nahum Wood. After a brief residence 
here he d. Nov. 25, 1836. 

I. Nahnm, b. Dec. 14, 1827; md. Sept. 28, 1852, 
Dorothy M. Clark, dau. of Levi Clark, q. v. 
He is a farmer in this town. 



1002 
36 
37 

38 
39 
40 



41 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 

II. Lucy 31., b. Jjiu. 23, 1830 ; md. Charles E. Locke, 

q. V. 
III. Arvilla, h. Feb. 16, 1834 ; d. unmd. Sept. 8, 1854. 



Stephen Wood, b. in Hancock, N. H., Dec. 16, 1818, 
came to this town 1846. He was a farmer. He md. 
Dec. 12, 1848, Mary Ward, dau. of Nathaniel D. Ward, 
q. V. He d. Sept. 29, 1886. 

I. Charles S., b. Feb. 24, 1855 ; md. Sept. 20, 1881, 
Hattie F. Barrell, dau. of Joseph Benson Bar- 
rel!, g. V. 



Majrshall p. Wooi>, b. in Rindge Nov. 19, 1837, son 
of Addison M. and Ann (Plnmmer) Wood, md. 1861, 
Julia A. Hunt, b. July 1, 1839, dau. of Joshua and Lucia 
(Todd) Hunt. He served three years in the Ninth New 
Hampshire Volunteers, and removed to this town soon 
after his discharge from an honorable service. 

I. WilUe M., b. 1868 ; d. June 9, 1884. 



WOODS. 

Samuel Woods, b. in England 1680, came to this country soon after the 
year 1700. He settled in Chelmsford, where hemd. 1717, Mary Parker, dau. 
of .John Parker. He owned a farm and was taxed in Chelmsford from 1720 
to 1743. He d., leaving one son and two daughters, in 1703. 

Samuel Woods, son of Samuel, was b. in Chelmsford June 19, 1722; 
resided in Rutland some years and removed to Princeton in 1761. He pur- 
chased of Moses Gill a tract of land, where he built his house and where he 
resided until his death. He was an intelligent, enterprising citizen, and fre- 
quently employed in town affairs. In his house he taught the first school in 
Princeton. Subsequently he taught many terms of school and acquired the 
reputation of a skilful and successful teacher. The measure of his character 
and intellect has been reflected in the inheritance of his sons, and probably 
their scholarly attainments were reared on the solid foundation of his instruc- 
tion. He md. Tabitha Eveleth, b. April 4, 1731, by whom he had ten 
children. She d. Oct. 2S, 1770; he md. (2d) 1772, Abigail (Whitney) 
Underwood, b. March 13, 1741, widow of Israel Underwood; she d. Jan. 
31, 1826. By this marriage there were five children. He d. Nov. 18, 1808. 

Of the children of Samuel and Tabitha Woods, Lydia, b. Aug. 4, 1759, 
was the wife of Daniel Gibbs, q. v. ; Anna, b. June 30, 1761, was the wife of 
Capt. Charles Hastings, q. v. ; Sarah, b. July 6, 1763, was the wife of Col. 
Joseph Jewett, q. v. ; John, b. Dec. 24, 1768, is No. 1 in the following 
register. Asa Woods, son of Samuel and Abigail Woods, b. April 30, 1776, 
is No. 15 in the following register. Hannah, another child of the second 
wife, b. May 18, 1778, md. Nahum Wilder, g. t-., and Mary, b. Feb. 15, 
1783, md. Thomas Wilder, q. v. 

Rev. Dr. Leonard Woods, b. June 19, 1774, md. Oct. 8, 1799, Abigail 
Wheeler of Worcester, and was the eminent Professor of Theology and an 
important factor in the foundation of the Andover Theological Seminary. 
Among his children was Samuel Woods, No. 33 in the following register. 



GENEALOGICAL REGLSTER. 



1003 



Another son of Samuel Woods by first marriage was Rev. Abel Woods, b. 
Aug. 15, 176o. He was not immediately associated with the people of 
Ashburnham, and yet, through his many relatives, his name is familiar to 
them, and no notice of this distinguished family would be complete without 
mention of a useful life. He was a Baptist clergyman of marked ability in 
Shoreham, Vt. He d. in Hamilton, N. Y., Aug. 11, 1850. Of his venerable 
son. Rev. Alva Woods, D. D., who is living at Providence, R. L, a recent 
publication, " Providence Plantations," contains a portrait and the following 
notice : 

"The Rev. Alva Woods, I). D., the oldest surviving professor of Brown 
University, was b. in Shoreham, Vt.-, Aug. 13, 1704. He was graduated at 
Harvard College in 1817, and at the Andover Theological Seminary in 1821. 
He served as professor of mathematics and natural philosophy in the 
Columbian University, Washington, D. C, and in Brown University, aggre- 
gating seven years. He served as president and professor of moral and 
intellectual philosophy in the State University of Kentucky, Lexington, and 
in the University of the State of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, aggregating ten years. 
His son, Marshall Woods, is a trustee of Brown Universit}', and for some 
sixteen years rendered very important services to the college as its treasurer. 
His grandson, John Carter Brown Woods, is also a trustee of the same 
institution. In his various relations with Brown University as a professor, 
as president pro tempore, as a trustee, and as a fellow, the Rev. Dr. Alva' 
Woods has been connected with this university nearly fifty years." 



2 
3 

4 
5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

U 



John Woods, son of Samuel and Tabitha Woods, b. in 
Princeton Dec 24, 1768. He was in the employ of CoL 
Jewett in farming and in the manufacture of potash sev- 
eral years and subsequently was a fanner living on the 
old road to Winchendon. He md. July 5, 1792, Betsey 
Petts, who d. Dec. 4, 1824: md. (2d) Sept. 5, 1826, 
Mrs. Eunice Whitney of Cambridge who d. Nov. 8, 
1827; md. (3d) June 1. 1831, Mrs. Rebecca Draper of 
Ware. In old age he removed to Crown Point, N. Y.. 
where he d. June 25. 1863, aged 94; another record 
says 1869. 

I. Abel, b. Dec. 20. 1792. 
II. Betsey, b. Nov. 13, 1794. 
m. Dolly S., b. Dec. 25, 1796. 
IV. John, b. June 12. 1799: d. at Savannah, Ga., 

Sept. 15. 1820. 

V. Melissa, b. June 4, 1801. 

VI. Sarah, b. June 19, 1803. 

VII. AsaG.^h. Sept. 28,1805; d. unmd June 3, 1867. 
VIII. Mary J., b. Julv 24, 1807 ; md. Henry Kibling, q. v. 
IX. Samuel, b. Aug. 8, 1809 : d. May 27, 1810. 

X. Infant, b. ; d. June 15, 1811. 

XI. Samuel, b. Jul}' 27, 1812. 
XII. Betsey B., b. Aug. 7, 1817. 

XIII. John Stillman, b. Aug. 2, 1827; md. March 21, 
1874, Martha Jane Hustings, dau. of John 
Hastings, q. v. She d. April 17, 1885. 



1004 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



15 



(19) 



30 
31 

32 



Asa Woods, son of Samuel and Abigail Woods, was b. 
in Princeton April 30, 1776. He was a farmer in the east 
part of the town. He was a prominent fitizen and was 
frequently chosen to office. He md. in Trinceton April 
16, 1799, Permelia Mirick, b. Sept. 19, 1776, dau. of 
James and Dorothy (Fairbanks) Mirick. With three 
children they removed to this town in 1804 or early in 
1805. His wife d. Sept. 12, 1814 ; md. 1815, Rebecca 
Wallis (Wilker register) who d. Aug. 4, 1826 ; md. (3d) 
Jan. 18, 1827, Susan Wallis, a sister of second wife ; she 
d. April 30, 1827; md. (4th) Mrs. Peggy (Russell) 
Adams, widow of Ebenezer Adams, q. v. He d. April, 
28, 1844 ; she d. March 29, 1865. 

Leonard, b. March 25, 1800. 

William, b. Feb. 14, 1802. 

Adaline, b. March 25, 1804 ; md. Joseph B. Hast- 
ings, q. V. 

Darwin, b. April 19, 1807. -f- 

Mary, b. March 30, 1S09 ; d. Feb. 17, 1827. 

Permelia, b. June 14, 1811. 

Dorothy, b. July 30, 1813. 

Levi Wallis, b. May 31, 1816. 

Joseph B., b. May 25, 1819 ; md. Mercy Elizabeth 
Fairbanks, dau. of Jacob Fairbanks, q. v. 

Betsey Sarah, b. April 17, 1822, 

Lysander Lov;e, b. Dec. 28, 1824 ; d. Sept. 7, 
1825. 

Lysander, b. July 27 ; d. Sept. 26, 1826. 

Charles, b. July 28, 1829. 

Catherine, b. May 23, 1831 ; md. 1848, Julius C. 
Aldrich of Winchendon ; md. (2d) Silas H. 
Fairbanks, q. v. ; md. (3d) George Howard, 
q. V. 



16 


I 


17 


II 


18 


III 


19 


IV. 


20 


V 


21. 


VI 


22 


VII 


23 


VIII. 


24 


IX. 


25 


X 


26 


XI 


27 


XII 


28 


XIII 


29 


XIV 



Darwin Woods md. 1828, Dolly G. Adams, dau. of 
Ensign John Adams, q. v. ; she d. Feb. 22, 1842 ; md. 
(2d) April 9, 1844, Julia King, widow of Hiram N. King. 
He d. July 24, 1872. Hiram N. King d. in this town 
Oct. 19, 1840, leaving daughters: Julia Frances, b. April 

24, 1834, md. Woodward of Lowell ; Mary Amanda, 

b. March 31, 1841. Of Darwin and Dolly Woods there 
were three children. 

I. Mary A., b. Sept. 13, 1829 ; d. June 15, 1881. 
II. Cinderilla, b. July 19, 1831 ; md. Oct. 10, 1867, 

F. A. Burnap ; residence Jersey City, N. J. 
III. Edivin, b. March 13, 1834; resides in Leominster. 



33 



34 

35 

36 
37 

38 
39 



GENEALOGICAL REGLSTER. 1005 

Samuel Woods, eldest son of Rev. Leonard Woods, 
D. D., was b. in West Newbury Oct. 26, 1800. He was 
a student some years at Phillips Academy, and at fifteen 
years of age he came to Ashburnham and during his 
minority was a clerk in the '' Jewett Store." He at- 
tended the winter terras of the public schools of this 
town and one term at New Ipswich Academy. In 1824 
he formed a partnership with Gen. Ivers Jewett. They 
soon became proprietors of a store and cotton mill in 
Fitchburg and the mill at Factory Village. In 1828 the 
partnership was dissolved. By a division of the property 
and repurchase of the store in this town, which had been 
sold to Samuel Barrett, Mr. Woods acquired possession 
of the store and the mill at Factor3- Village. In the suc- 
ceeding years he was associated in business with George 
H. Lowe, Samuel S. Stevens and others. In 1843 he 
removed to Ashby, and in 1857 to Maiden. During the 
last years of his life be lived with his son, Dr. Leonard 
AVoods, in Pittsford, Vt. While a resident of this town 
and through life he was an earnest advocate of temper- 
ance, and every reform of his time found iu him a firm 
and willing support. He was a man of unfailing integ- 
rity, and his impulses were pure and philanthropic. He 
md. May 4, 1825, Mary H. Lowe, dau. of Dr. Abraham 
Lowe, q. V. ; she d. Dec. 23, 1838 ; md. (2d) Sept. 5, 
1839, Mary Caldwell, dau; of John Caldwell, q. v. ; she d. 
Aug. 18, 1873 ; he d. in Pittsford, Vt., Nov. 27, 1884. 

I. Samuel Hale, b. July 15, 1827 ; md. March 18, 

1857, Julia A. Carsley. He was an apothecary 
in Boston, living in Maiden, where he d. March 
6, 1869. 

II. Jose2)h Wheeler, b. July 17, 1829; md. Sept. 1, 

1858, Caroline F. Fitz of Ipswich. He is a 
merchant in Boston ; residence Boston. 

III. 3Iary Greenleaf, b. Aug. 31, 1831 ; she d. in 

Gambler, Ohio, July 12, 1854. 

IV. AhUe Wheeler, b. Nov. 7, 1834 : md. Jan. 5, 1869, 

Rev. Frederick A. Fiske, pastor of Congrega- 
tional church in Ashburnham 1851-4, vide 
page 274 ; he d. Dec. 15, 1878 ; she resides in 
Boston with her brother, Joseph W. Woods, 
v. Leonard, b. July 5, 1840; a physician, vide 
page 516; md. April 13, 1868, Mary E. 
Thompson of Waltham. He d. Dec. 12, 1884. 
VI. Frederick Caldwell, h. Jan. 23, 1848 ; d. Sept. 3, 
1849. 



1006 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



John G. Woodward, son of John and Maiy (Ward) 
Woodward, was b. in Westminster. Vide register of 
John Ward family. He is a farmer residing on the farm 
formerly of John Ward, and has served the town as 
assessor and selectman. He is justly held in high esteem 
by his townsmen.^ He iiid. Nov. 24, 1835, Mar}' Ward, 
dau. of John Ward, q. v. 

I. John, b. 1840; d. Aug. 10, 1842. 
II. Charles Edioard, b. April 23, 1842 ; md. Oct. 2, 
1864, Flora E. Ward, dau. of Isaac D. Ward, 
q. V. ; she d. Nov. 3, 1867 ; md. (2d) 1872, 
Susan Augusta Fairbanks, dau. of Emory 
Fairbanks, q. v. He was a member of the 
school committee several years and a deacon 
of the Congregational church. In 1885 he 
removed to Leominster. 



James L. Wokcester, son of Ai Worcester, was b. in 
Grafton, Vt., July 27, 1821. He md. Jan. 18, 1844, 
Sarah Aldrich, b. in Richmond, N. H., Aug. 13, 1821. 
He removed to this town about 1848, and is a farmer at 
the South Village. 

I. Esther Elizabeth, b. Jan. 30, 1846 ; md. Oct. 9, 

1870, I. R. Wilson of Gardner. 
11. George Levi, b. Aug. 18, 1849, a railroad con- 
ductor, residing in Fitchburg ; md. May 17, 
1883, Carrie Williams. 

III. Ella Adalaide, b. July 26, 1853 ; md. July 24, 

1870, Charles A. Smith ; resides in Winchendon. 

IV. Alfred Miller, b. March 18, 1856; md. 1881, 

Etta Dunn ; resides in Gardner. 
V. Sarah Jane, b. April 28, 1858; md. Nov. 23, 
1879, L. R. Hodgman ; resides in Ashburnham. 
VI. Abbie Eugenia, b. April 20, 1862. 



WRIGHT. 

Families of Wright were numerous at an early date in several towns in this 
vicinity, but the name seldom appears in the records of Ashburnham until a 
more recent date. Laban W. Wright is a descendant in the seventh 
generation of Dea. John Wright who with wife Priscilla is found in Charles- 
town in 1640. At that time he was one of the subscribers to the conditions 
or town orders for the settlement of Woburn, where he subsequently resided. 
He was a deacon of the church and a selectman many years. He d. June 21, 
1688, aged 87. His wife d. April 10, 1687. John Wright, a son of Dea. 
John Wright, was b. 1630, probably in England. He md. Abigail Warren 
and was one of the first settlers of Chelmsford, where his nine children were 
born. He d. probably in Woburn, April 30, 1714, aged 84; his widow d, 
April 6, 1726, aged 84. John Wright, his son, b. in Chelmsford 16G2, md. 



GENEALOGICAL KEGISTER. 



1007 



Mary Stevens ; nid. (2d) about 1702. Hannah Fletcher. He d. Oct. 1.3, 1730. 
Among the chihlren of John and Mary (Stevens) Wright was Henry Wright, 
b. 1700; nid. Esther Adams, and about the date of his marriage the town of 
Westford which included his homestead was severed from Chelmsford. 
He was a selectmen and treasurer of Westford and for many years a deacon 
of the church. He d. April 13, 1771. Among his eleven children was 
Henry Wright, Jr.. b. 1732. In 1770 he was one of the committee of 
arrangements for raising the new meeting-house in Westford, and his son 
Elijah was the first child baptized in it. He was town treasurer and during 
the Revolution one of the committee of correspondence. About 1780 he 
removed to Ashby where his descendants are numerous. He md. Jan., 1753 

Sarah Spalding, who d. March 8, 1784; md. (2d) Mercy , who d. Dec' 

11, 1789: md. (3d) 1790, Hannah Bounton. He d. Oct. 12, 1806. 

Abel Wright, son of Henry and Sarah (Spalding) Wright, b. in Westford 
April, 1770, came to Ashby in childhood: md. 1792, Sybel Howard, who d 
Sept. 12, 1803; md. (2d) Aug., 1804, Zilpah Rice, dau. of Jonas Rice, 
q. V. He was a farmer in Ashby where he d. March 15, 1852; his widow d. 
Oct. 22, 1862. Among the children of Abel and Zilpah (Rice) Wright were 
Laban W. Wright of this town and Eliza, wife of Asahel Wheeler. 



Laban ^Y. Wright, son of Abel and Zilpah (Rice) 
Wright, was b. in Ashby Aug. 30, 1827. He md. 
March 15, 1854, Susan Adaline Sawin, dan. of Abram 
Sawin, q. v. He resided in Ashby until 1868, when he 
removed to the farm now of Alden B. Marble. In 1876 
he removed to the William Ward farm. He is a suc- 
cessful farmer. 

I. Alfred Warren, b. May 14, 1859 ; d. April 19, 

1861. 
II. Eattie Adella, b. April 1, 1862; md. Sept. 15, 
1881, Herbert D. Wellington, b. in Rindge 



Sept. 18, 1856, son of^ Joel 
Elizabeth (Ramsdell) Wellington 
at East Rindge. 

HI. John Allison, b. Jan. 28, 1866. 

IV. Charles Franklin, b. Jan. 11, 1869. 

V. Mahel Josephine, b. Sept. 26, 1872. 



and Harriet 
They reside 



INDEX OF NAMES 



The names in the Genealogical Registers and lists of names on 
pages, 333-340, 457, 545-555, do not appear in this index. All 
titles are omitted and persons of the same name are included in 
one list of references. 



ABBOTT, Jeremiah, 364 367 

John, 231 364 365 3G7 425 
Abercrombie, Dr. Otis, 469 530 
Adams, Andrew J., 423 

Rev. Daniel E., 280 281 

Ebenezer, 428 430 432 

Ebenezer Thomas, 434 

Henry, 228 371 475 

Ivers, 222 228 238 423 534 

James, 328 423 428 430 

Joseph, 421 

John, 34 126 142 151 153 154 
165 230-3 293 300 326 333 
341 347 369 391 434 481 

Levi, 421 

Luther B., 413 423 

Melvin 0., 228 241 347 507 
508 

Nathaniel, 137 

Samuel, 34 

Stephen, 431 

Thomas, 423 

Walter R., 241 242 328 387 
392 397 428 430 432 534 535 
Allard, Charles W., 454 
Ames, Augusta, 329 

Stephen, 92 102 114 126 252 

William, 128 
Andrews, Albert H., 222 228 348 
475 

John, 53 63 

Thomas, 53 458 
Appleton, Nathaniel, 248 

Samuel, 343 393 
Archambeau, Peter, 446 
64 



Ashburnham, Earl of. 111 
Atherton, Consider, 53 

Ezra, 136 141 

Humphrey, 53 

James, 55 

Joseph, 55 

BAKER, Josiah, 54 

William, 54 
Balcom, Francis S., 455 

Horace, 321 
Baldwin, John, 405 
John M., 458 
Ballard, Benjamin, 67 
Bancroft, Harvey M., 307 328 329 
409 
Jonathan 0., 394 
Barber, Hezekiah, 54 55.56 59 66 70 

81 
Barkhardst, Jacob, 94 
Barnes, Asa, 318 
Barren, Lutiier, 313 
William, 370 
Barrett, Benjamin, 235 266 328 430 
Charles, 221 235 237 280 299 
307 328 371 407 432 433 538 
Francis J., 329 398 432 433 

452 
George H., 222 329 359 386 
387 407 436 437 455 456 534 
535 
James, 392 
Lizzie F., 329 
Mary S., 349 534 
Oliver, 430 

1009 



1010 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



Barrett, Samuel, 394 420 537 
Bates, John, 91 102 114 115 118 229 

243 251 287 
Beals, Charles L., 406 416 

George L., 406 415 416 532 
Beetle, F. T., 347 
Belcher, J., 30 31 43 46 48 
Bellows, Benjamin, 37 38 50 90 153 

194 196 
Bemis, Albert T., 573 

Charles A., 517 

Frank W., 460 

Justin W., 385 
Benjamin, Jonas, 169 

Jonathan, 158 159 

William, 115 126 142 161 230 
326 
Bennett, James, 364 367 

John, 30 41 

Moses, 126 

Thomas, 235 348 406 
Bent, Joseph, 63 

Roderick, 223 
Bernard, Francis, 109 120 
Berry, Thomas, 46 
Bigelow, Benjamin, 127 

John, 126 257 

Luther, 430 

Nathan, 126 257 297 
Billings, James, 430 

Joshua, 34 126 369 
Bird, Benjamin, 55 57 58 59 61 65 

Thomas, 55 
Biron, Frederick, 454 
Bishop, James, 63 
Bixby, Aaron B., 462 
Black, Sumner, 453 
Blackburn, George, 420 
Blair, Henry W., 183 
Blake, George H., 318 

Samuel, 55 

William, 53 55 
Blodget, Abraham, 126 

Elias, 430 545 

Isaac, 126 142 144 
Blodgett, James, 403 409 414 

Mary, 400 
Blood, Hiram A., 387 
Bond, Daniel, 163 190 
Bourne, Marshall H., 455 
Boutelle, Thomas, 222 276 277 
Bowdoin. James, 215 
Bowles, John, 45 
Bowman, John, 182 210 
Boynton, Hilkiah, 37 50 
Bradlee, Samuel J., 228 
Breed, Nathaniel, 166 
Bride, Josiah W., 439 
Bridge, Jeremiah, 93 126 



Brigham, Charles W., 461 

Francis E., 461 

Joseph L., 461 
Broadhead, John, 312 
Brocklebank, Asa, 137 182 
Brooks, Amos, 364 367 

Dickerson, 428 430 

Elijah, 307 336 407 430 

Harvey, 237 283 307 

Harvey P., 459 

Ira, 403 

Irving, 460 

Judith, 266 

Joel, 307 407 

Mary, 545 

Newton, 463 

Pascal, 453 

Peter, 126 464 521 

Simeon, 403 

Thaddeus, 395 

William, 395 418 
Brown, Catherine, 545 

Daniel, 364 367 

Joseph B., 446 

Octavius W., 442 

Josiah, 318 

Unity, 91 243 251 252 287 

William H., 223 |— ^ 

Bullock, Alexander H., 354'356 358 
359 

Samuel J., 347 
Burch, Samuel, 56 59 
Burgess, Ebenezer, 141 

Joseph F. , 427 430 523 

Joshua, 313 406 409 414 

Josiah, 364 
Burke, James, 458 
Burnham, Edwin L., 223 
Burr, Pyam, 238 407 
Burrage, Charles W., 228 348 416 
532 

George S., 239 415 416 

William F., 228 240 416 
532 
Bush, C. Webster, 223 
Butler, Adam, 430 

Leroy A., 405 419 

Nathaniel R., 342 

William, 461 
Butt, Richard, 54 

Samuel, 54 
Buttrick, Aaron G., 445 

Charles, 403 
Buzzell, Reuben A., 463 

CAIN, John, 545 

Caldwell, John, 302 306 422 524 

Oliver G., 417 422 
Call, Isaac, 460 



INDEX. 



1011 



Capron, William D., io't 

Carlisle, David, 200 

Carter, Nathaniel, 70 155 

Case, John W., 315 348 

Cassidy, John, 459 

Castle, Alfred, 458 

Causey, L. P., 315 

Chaffin, David, 155 159 163 lOG 189 

197 198 
Chamberlain, Charles T., 460 

John, 159 161 
Chandler, Jonathan, 53 59 

Samuel, 53 
Chaplin, David, 137 

Joseph, 55 59 

Levi, 137 

Moses, 55 

Timothy, 137 
Charhore, John, 55 
Chase, Richard C, 460 
Cheney, Benjamin, 53 59 

Harrison C 439 445 

Harvey A., 441 

Mary, 258 

Tristram, 92 114-29 126 130 
229 252 254 283 291 524 

William, 53 
Choate, John, 45 
Church, Benjamin, 88 246 248 

Charles, 45 
Clapp, Edward, 54 

Nebemiah, 54 
Clark, Benjamin, 158 159 170 

Daniel, 520 521 

David, 102 126 142-4 154-69 
172 189 210 

Harvey, 452 

Jonas M., 315 

Joseph E., 573 

Luther, 452 

Thomas H., 387 

Walter C, 460 

Wilder P., 223 
Coderre, Louis, 460 
Coffin, George, 267 
Cole, Samuel, 317 

Coleman, James, 89 90 102 114 118 
229 243 251 287 375 390 

Job, 126 252 
Conant, Ebenezer, 93 102 125 126 
135 142 147 162 231 257 297 
403 425 

Lyman, 409 

Ruth, 520 
Conn, John, 119 126 136 142 151 158 
IGl 163 230 232 238 283 409 

John A., 239 329 348 
Constantine, Jacob, 95 142 153 154 
162 233 257 297 



Constantine, Widow, 95 
Converse, James, 39 50 
Josiah, 40 50 
Robert, 39 50 
Conway, John, 323 
Cook, John L., 63 532 
Robert, 55 
William, 55 315 
Coolidge, Elisha, 84 88 90 102 106 
109 115 117 126 134 146 229 
251 257 286 289 291 297 390 
404 
F. S.,413 
Henry, 81 106 
John, 169 
Jonathan, 152 
Cooper, William, 54 106 
Corey, Asahel, 221 222 235 305 395 
398 430 432 523 
George F., 421 535 
Hezekiah, 168 231-5 300 313 

379 
Jonas, 398 405 432 
Levi, 395 545 

Stephen, 221 228 234 236 421 
Coughlin, Bartholomew, 453 
Crane, Ebenezer, 53 
Crehore, Horace C, 396 

Timothy, 333 336 347 428 

430-3 

Crocker, Alvah, 354 359 

Crosby, Elvira W., 356 

Fitch, 299 419 

Henry, 496 

Josiah D., 222 229 318 348 
354-9 499 563 
Cummings, Ariel I., 514 515 
Calvin, 511 

John L., 228 240-2 535 573 
Cunningham, Ephraim M., 475 
Curtice, Joseph, 56 
Cushing, Amelia J., 432 
Benjamin, 82 
David, 232 233 302 379 391 421 

533 539 
David M., 455 
Doddridge, 267 299 302 395 

533 543 
Edward J., 223 
Edwin J., 455 
George R., 227 234-6 300 303 

307 333 348 370 434 
Henry B., 408 409 
Jacob, 255 
Job, 263 

John, 28 67 99 101 123 124 
125 127 136 151 165 254 266 
288 303 348 355 362 372 429 
533 542 556 559 



1012 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



Gushing, Laban, 430 

Stephen, 222 311313 513 
Thomas Parkman,351 354 358 
489-92 
Cutler, Asher, 72 73 90 

William H., 307 398 469 
Cutter, Nathaniel F., 330 430-2 
Cutting, Samuel, 137 142 168 233 
434 

DAMON, Joseph, 364 367 
Dana, Caleb, 81 84 105 106 109 110 
246 287 
Ezra, 347 403 
Francis, 106 
George, 105 134 136 

151 231 
Richard. 81 88 106 

287 404 
Richard H., 106 
Davenport, William G., 461 
Davis, Alonzo P., 432 435 
445 
Charles, 236 409 434 
Charles E., 505 
Deliverance, 93 114 
135 136 139 140 
167 230 252 390 
Ebenezer B., 148 154 

194 
Elnathan, 273 274 348 
Frank A., 452 462 
George E., 240 241 

448 461 
George P., 359 
John C, 140 237 321 405 409 

434 
John, 399 403 
Joseph, 405 
Lucy, 308 
Oliver, 130 505 
Day, JohnB., 399 432 
Dennis, Nathan, 84 91 102 
Derby, Samuel, 118 
Dickerson, Amos, 126 135 141 163 
165 230 231 326 
David, 126 
Francis, 291 
George, 93 117 
Sarah 252 
Dodge, Josiah, 520 

Theodore A., 459 
Donnovan, Timothy, 447 
Doolan, Patrick, 459 

William, 460 461 
Dow, Lorenzo, 312 
Duane, Bernard, 415 
Dudley, William, 46 
Duncan, George N., 454 



137 


141 


109 


110 


436 


437 


117 


126 


142 


165 


190 


193 


568 


573 


439 


445 



Dunham, Howard C, 315 

Jerusha, 545 
Dunster, Samuel, 235 406 419 420 
Dutton, Salmon, 126 136 

Thomas, 126 144 
D wight, Jonathan, 59 65 68 70 71 72 

81 84 
Dwinnell, Jonas W., 446 532 

Waldo, 447 449 

EASTMAN, Cyrus, 315 
Eaton, Danforth L., 503 504 

Francis, 400 

John, 409 

Josiah, 409 

Nathan, 330 349 534 

Nathaniel L., 239 240 313 418 
Eddy, Eliphalet, 405 

George W., 223 228 283 534 
535 
Edgell, John D., 223 
Edson, Daniel, 142 144 

Elijah, 126 130 142 
Edwards, Thomas, 538 
Elliot. Robert J., 442 
Ellis, Daniels, 228 239 242 398 405 
418 

Jesse, 410 434 

William P., 228 239 240 283 
308 348 386 387 417 419 571 
572 
Emory, Enos, 404 
Esty, Jonathan L., 315 
Evans, Ermina L., 531 

Matthias, 53 63 

Richard, 53 

Thomas, 53 

FAIRBANKS Cyrus, 149 180 207 
210 533 

Emory, 237 

Europe H., 240, 406, 570 

Francis J., 506 

Ithamar, 434 

Jacob, 296 434 

J. H., 356 

Jonathan, 56 

Joseph W., 506 507 

SethP., 73 381 
Fargo, James, 460 
Farley, Timothy, 119 
Farmer, John, 144 
Farrar, David, 39, 50 
Farwell, George G., 453 

Merrill, 446 
Fay, Benjamin F., 441 

John B.,223 

John W., 348 532 
Fellows, Samuel, 88 92 102 109 114 



INDEX. 



1013 



Fellows, Samuel, 117 12G 130 229 252 

25-1283 291 557 
Fenno, James W., 316 
Fessenden, Josiah, 154 
Finan, John, 442 
Finney, John L., 454 
Fish, Charles I., 454 
Fisher, George E., 222 277 278 

Timothy, 101, 1G8 
Fiske, Ebenezer, 8(5 

Frederick A., 274 275 

Martin H., 347 

Nathaniel B., 314 31G 
Fitch, John, 76 116 373 
Fitzgibbon, Micliael, 439 452 462 
Fitzgerald, John, 458 

Patrick, 463 
Fletcher Brothers, 419 

Ebenezer, 34 

Joshua, 149 182 208 209 
Flint, Ebenezer, 307 430 

Edward S., 222 242 348 400 
414 

Eleazer, 341 

Levi E., 95 
Foster, Andrew, 154 

George C, 228 241 535 572 
573 

Jeremiah, 91 117 126 252 286 
372 

Jerome W., 228 237-40 308 
348 354 355 359 485 531 570 

Job, 460 461 

Joel, 234 

Leonard, 239 406 418 

Moses, 82 88 90 91 101 102 119 
126 243 247 251 254 28() 287 
291 390 402 

Nathaniel, 406 434 

Samuel, 115 117 126 137 151 
231 232 293 295 328 404 432 

Waldo A., 454 
Foot, Horatio, 270 
Franklin, Susan, 521 
Fregean, John, 460 
Frobisher, Benjamin. 99 
Frost, Ebenezer, 236 237 303 304 344 
348 407 523 

John M., 432 

Spencer, 455 
Frye, James, 392 
Fuller, Nathan, 201 
FuUford, Alva S., 439 

GALE, Chester B., 454 
Galliver, John, 55 
Gallop, Antil, 34 

Samuel, 44, 45 
Gamble, Thomas, 68, 90 



Gardner, James W., 437 
Garfield, Elisha. 430 
Garlick, Alfred E., 400 
Garnet, James M., 439 446 448 462 
Gates, Henry, 126 141 

Hezekiah, 40 62 65 68 69 70 84 
402 

John, 142 144 154 163 184 232 
380 427 430 432 539 

Jonathan, 102 106 114 117 126, 
passim, 165 184 193 194 197 
229 230 287 425 

Paul, 116 

Samuel, 233, 234 432 

William, 201 
George, Joshua, 55 

Nathan, 316 

William, 55 
Gibbs, Benjamin, 407 484 

Daniel, 403 

Joseph, 206 341 369 
Gibson, Abraham, 148 

Stephen, 321, 322 

Stillman, 404 

Thomas, ISO 199 203 207 210 
269 
Gilbert, Lorenzo II., 445 448 461 
Gill, Moses, 559 
Gilson, Frank B., 397 
Gipson, Henry, 430 
Glazier, John C. 222 236 237 283 306 
348 409 415 

Lewis, 455 

Thomas E., 409 
Goddard, Edward, 46 
Godding, Philip, 52 56 
Gold, Bartholanie, 55 
Goodale, Peter, 364 
Goodyear, George, 270 271 272 348 

538 
Gookin, Daniel, 69 
Greenwood, Georgie S., 329 

John, 42 

Moses P., 397 407 534 

Theodore, 240 241 407.460 
Green, Asa, 497 

Hosea, 237 .-".OC. ;507 344 :)48 

Oliver, 302, 494 

Thomas, 31 

Timothy, .•.9 65 69 84 
Grimes, Martin V. B., 441 454 461 
Gross, Elijah, 403 417 573 

Peeks, 403 

Sarah W.. 573 

HADLEY, Gamaliel, 91 

George G., 446 460 462 
John, 407 
Merrick, :!9s4(;i 



1014 



HISTOKY OF ASHBUENHAM. 



Hall, Henry, il4 on !»r, 110 12(; Ul 
143 3fi6 407 

John, 142 US 1(10 is: :]:m; ;!(U 
o67 
Hames, Joseph, 454 
Hammond, Frederick, 4(!ii 

Thomas, 4(;i 
Hanwart, Joseph, 400 
Hare, James P., 440 

John, 453 

Patrick J., 401 
Harper, Daniel, 119 
Harrington, Timothy, 248 
Harris, Benjamin, 70 

Heman, 431 

Humphrey, 430 512 

Jacob, 12(3 135 164-S 222 230-4 
283 291 348 

Joseph, 573 

Nathaniel, 142 103 

Samuel, 509 510 
Hart, Ebenezer, 400 
Hartwell, E. A., 347 

Edward, 57 59 Gl-S 72 78 81 
375 

Thomas, 199 
Harty, John B., 454 
Harwood, Kilburn, 222 22s 23(i 237 

305 432 433 
Hastings, Charles, 49 79 88 90 205 
210 303 330 330 350 393 395 
427 432 527 530 

Ezra, 545 

J. Newton, 283 

John, 428 431 528 

Nathaniel, 142 

Stephen C, 452 
Hayden, Newton, 240 241 ;!97 
Hayward, Edwin, 405 

Samuel, 05 
Hazen, Richard, 70 
Heald, Charles H., 441 440 
Heraenway, Ebenezer, 93 120 230 
252 

Joshua. 142 144 
Henshaw, Phineas, 108 

Joshua, 89 100 109 110 530 
Herbert, Joseph, 03 04 
Herrick, Austin F., 315 

Austin H., 316 

Noyes B., 462 
Hewins, Benjamin, 54 

Joseph, 54 
Hewitt, George, 119 
Heywood, Nathan, 32 33 50 56 81 88 
98 246 248 

Zimri, 89 91 102 118 119 402 
Hill, Ann, 521 

Isaac, 488 489 



Hill, John, 311 

Maverick, 303 
Hills, William, 317 
Hinshua, Daniel, 54 

Samuel, 54 
Hix, Samuel, 55 78 
Hobart, Daniel, 141 149 

Harrison C, 501 502 503 

Shebuel, 142 

Thomas, 233-5 206 307 370 
434 524 
Hobson, John, 45 
Hodge, J. F. and E. L., 400, 416 
Hodgman, Lucius R., 439 
Hoffman, Max, 454 
Holbrook, Horatio J., 307 
Holden, Jonas, 427 430 

Joseph, 126 

Joshua, 142 154 214 297 
Holt, Joshua, 142 143 

Liberty, 403 

Samuel D., 453 

Uriah, 142 144 148 
Horrigan, Michnel, 460 
Hosley, Hosea, 399 
Houghton, Jonas, 47 50 

Levi, 118 

Lewis G., 432 

Oliver, 231 
Houston, Grant. 302 

Horace W., 92 405 
Howard, Emery A., 310 

Lewis, 432 

Samuel, 317 348 385 

Thomas, 430 

Thomas M., 455 
Howe, Isaac, 56 57 

Leroy A., 453 

Orange E., 455 

Perley, 239 240 
Hubbard, Eli, 356 359 
Hudson, Melzar, 435 
Hunt, Peter T., 504 

Samuel, 247 

Sherebiah, 267 283 

JACKSON, Elisha, 153 
Isaac, 327 
Joseph, 248 
Jagodynsky, August, 545 
Jaquith, Andrew, 513 514 
Jefts, Cyrus A., 343 407 
Jennison, Edwin, 272 273 
Jewett, Amory, 473 

Ivers, 100 221 228 234 235 299 

300 348 393 394 427-33 479 

533 

Joseph, 100 178 200 210 22L 

228 232-5 266 299 300 302 



INDEX. 



1015 



Jewett, Joseph, 307 :52(; 347 309-94 
425 427 432 433 478 523 530 
533 539 

Merrick A., 4'.»iS 

Nathaniel, 474 

Sarah, 26S 
Jillson, Harvey 1)., 240 348 472 
Johnson, Moses, 12(; 

Timothy, 154 156 194 520 
Jones, Charles B.. 455 

Daniel, 39 73 283 321 

David, 54 59 

Enos, 73 91 117 12G 142 151 
168 230 231 232 347 409 

Gilman, 237 321 348 417 432 

John, 54 118 229 

William, 39 
Joslin, Abijah, 126 135 147 151 230 

James, 126 

John, 32 

Peter, 126 141 143 149 291 

Samuel, 141 291 
Joyner, Hannah, 252 

William, 92 114 115 117 229 
289 

KEEP, Jabez, 200 
Kelley, James, 460 

Peter, 55 
Kelton, Edward, 54 

Samuel, 12S 178 363 

Thomas. 54 
Kemp, Benjamin, 126 
Kendall. Alvin, 415 432 

Amos, 136 137 138 141 230 

Caleb, 293 427 432 

Charles W., 441 461 

Francis, 192 

Nathaniel, 163 197 
Keyes, Gershom, 40 
Kibling, Catherine, 327 

Francis, 404 418 

Frank G., 447 

George W., 398 

Jacob, 141 143 231 232 297 
327 

John, 94 96 97 114 126 130 
147 148 151 153 162 229 230 
251 297 313 404 524 

Joseph W., 329 398 

Henry, 432 434 435 

HobartF., 391 392 
Kilburn, Daniel, 315 
King, Rodney, 458 
Kinsman, Alfred D., 395 
Kneeland, Samuel, 54 70 
Knight, Israel W., 392 531 

James M., 392 
Knowlton, Charles, 474 



LANE, Benjamin, 169 

Elias, 85, 235 237 299 404 434 

523 
Francis, 141 143 151 164 165 
167 175 195 230 231 232 293 
297 347 379 404 425 434 558 
Francis W.. 508 
Fred. D., 349 508 
Henry T., 460 
Hosea F., 348 
Josiah, 407 

Martin B., 241 397 573 
Milton, 404 418 
Sewell S., 400 
Willard, 421 432 
Lansing, John A., 316 
Larby, Mitchell, 454 
Lawrence, Amos, 141 167 175 
Charles G., 446 448 401 
Ezra, 405 
George, 328 

George W. , 446 448 401 
Henry, 238 403 417 
John C, 454 
Lawrence, Moses, 405 432 524 

William J., 234 200 283 421 
422 434 524 533 
Laws, David, 283 

James, 427 430 
Walter H., 495 535 
Leads, Joseph, 53 59 
Learned. Frank S., 454 

James, 394 
Leathers, Charles F., 45:'. 

John, 434 
Lechuga, Etiene, 460 
Ledget, James, 169 
Lee, Francis, 154 
Joseph, 34 
Lepond, Charles, 458 
Lesure, Samuel C, 439 445 448 461 
Lewis, Joseph, 316 

William T., 319 
Washburn, 440 
Libbey, Leander W. , 439 
Litch. Charles T.. 242, 535 
Frank J. , 446 
George H., 461 
Joel H., 222 238 239 240 
Theresa, 329 
Little, Elbridge G., 275 276 
Lincoln, Heman, 353 395 
I. Sumner, 270 
James F.. 455 
Lindley, William H. , 4:'>9 
Locke. Jacob, 154 157 172 
James, 96 116 
John, 144 
Philip, 141 143 403 



1016 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



Lombaril, (TeortreW., 414 
Long, James H., 400 
Longley, Artemas, 244 
Loring, Charles G., 353 354 
Loud, Charles A., 222 
Lovell, Asa, 398 

Lowe, Abraham, 149 153 178 199 226 
227 232 267 299 300 333 347 
348 365 370 379 380 434 465 
533 

Abraham T., 221 302 348 354 
356 359 435 466 534 563 

Charlotte, 210 

George H., 329 394 
Lumerzette, Frank, 449 
Lyon, Eliab, 55 

Henry, 53 

Nathaniel, 55 

Tliomas, 53 61 63 

Waitstill, 55 59 

Zachariah, 55 

MAHAN, Thomas, 461 
Mansfield, Benjamin, 55 

Horace O., 455 

John H., 316 
Marble, Aklen B , 422 

Henry A., 455 

Jabez, 149 181 203 210 431 

Joel, 430 

Joel P., 397 

Luke, 240 407 

Newell, 342 

Oliver, 149 181 203 235 299 

Stephen, 371 430 

Walter H., 509 

Warren E.. 9a 341 407 
Marcy, Ichabod, 316 
Marsh, Charles, 269 
Martin, John, 93 252 257 
Martindale, H. H., 446 448 463 
Marvin, A. P., 354 356 359 
Mason, Elijah, 166 198 

Joseph, 45 

Orlando, 222 859 

Samuel, 142 154 157 172 
Matthews, Ilezekiah, 399 410 461 

Lewis G. , 399 
Mattoon, John O., 471 
May, Augustine, 455 

Charles S., 415 

Sumner, 410 415 
Maynard, Antipas, 223 238 330 529 
570 

Edward, 431 
McCoolif, Patrick, 442 
Mclntire, James, 447 

Parley, 452 

Robert W., 385 405 



Mcintosh, Augustus, 441 461 

Erastus, 446 448 462 
McMahon, Archibald, 479 
Mead, Jason, 403 
Mears, James, 59 
Melvin, Nathan, 102 115 117 126 142 

229, 390 • 
Menott, George, 54 
Merriam, Asa, 432 434 

Benjamin, 397 

David, 148 153 154 163 192 
193 

Edward B., 445 

Francis H., 455 

Henry, 463 

Isaac, 142 163 166 167 191 198 
230 

Jonathan, 168 434 

Joseph, 182 209 210 

Philip R., 307 396 410 

William, 333 
Merrill, Daniel, 119 126 252 

John W., 315 
Merritt, Ezra M., 447 

Simeon, 219 223 239 240-2 385 
387 571 
Metcalf, Emily, 516 

Eunice, 187 

Ezekiel S., 147 154 159 187 

George J., 532 

George O., 463 

Joel F., 240 

John, 45 

Joseph, 126 141 147 151 230 

Otis, 392 4.V1 

Samuel, 152 155 166 188 198 
Miller, Alfred, 228 229 348 437 470 

Ernest P., 508 

Henry J., 223 

Joseph, 427 430 ■ 

Stephen A., 329 570 
Modsley, Thomas, 54 

Yonnite, 54 
Moffat, John, SI 120 246 248 287 
Monk, Elias, 53 
Moore, Asher, 348 

Elliot, 238 239 248 397 398 

Ephraim W., 463 
Morey, Jfames, 53 
Morse, Ebenezer, 255 

Jonas, 436 437 
Morton, Francis H., 452 462 

Orin. 392 452 
Mossman, John W., 432 

Matthias, 233 

Timothy, .■.5 oV, 71-3 78-90 285 
Moulton, Horace, 315 
Mulloy, Michael, 461 
Munroe, Charles, 409 415 42.S 430 



INDEX. 



1017 



Munroe, Ebenezer, 177 178 232 233 
234 293 380 

Francis A., 455 

George M., 462 534 

Jonas, 399 434 
Murdock, Isaac M., 354 359 

William, 222 
Murphy, Dennis, 454 

Mitchell, 461 

NEVINS, David, 387 
Newell, Henry C, 242 

Samuel, 44 45 
Newton, Samuel, J., 228 

Sereno, 4G0 
Nichols, Samuel. 92 109 110 115 117 

126 134-6 
Nickerson, Cyrus W., 454 
Nims, Silas, 437 
Noble, Charles, 315 
Norcross, Amasa, 344 ;)54 356 359 
Noyes, Samuel N. , 419 
Nutting, Allen A., 441 

George P., 441 

Jonas. 302 434 

Simeon, 126 137 

OAKS, Joseph, 454 

Oberlock, John, 94 126 251 291 

Philip, 403 
O'Brien, Alexander, 460 

Patrick, 461 
Olds, William, 315 
Oliver, Sylvester F., 447 449 
O'Neill, Dennis, 460 
Osborn, Luther, 399 
Osgood, Jacob, 394 

James, 415 

Peter, 142 

PACKARD Brothers, S6 404 
Page, George E., 447 
Paine, Thomas, 119 
Park, Thomas. 414 
Parker, Alden W., 462 

Charles H., 445 

Frank H., 397 

George G., 222 228 237 238 
306 307 336 348 475 568 

Jesse, 239 240 241 385 

Leonard S., 279 280 349 359 

Nathaniel, 141 

Walter O., 223 397 439 453 
535 573 
Parkman, Ebenezer, 255 266 

Sarah, 266 
Pay son, John, 255 
Peabody, Charles, 31!l 
Peckham, Samuel, 3is 



Peirce, Amos, 233 236 

Nathaniel, 221, 228 236 241 
303 304 307 348 419 468 523 
Pelkey, Frederick, 461 
Pentecost, William, 316 
Perkins, Elisha, 269 

Francis H., 454 

George, 266-70 298 299 348 
543 

Henry C, 449 

J. Douglas, 269 
Perry, Joseph, 119, 126 129 130 142 

Peter, 94 96 
Petts, Ferdinand, 392 

John, 228 474 568 
Pfaffle, William, 461 
Phelps, Edward, 70 
Phillips, Asia, 431 

I vers, 406 

Sally, 329 
Phipps, William, lOt; 
Pierce, B. K., 359 

Charles L., 473 

Edwin, 357 
Pindar, Calvin, 447 448 
Piper, Alfred, 446 

Hobart AV., 455 460 462 

Jonathan H., 414 529 
Plaisted, Thomas, 79 
Platts, Irving E., 403 413 415 

John v., 382 
Poland, David E., 532 
Pollard, i^dwin A., 459 

James, 364 367 

William, 231, 232 347 
PoUey, Joseph, 430 431 
Pope, Ebenezer, 54 

John, 53 

Ralph, 54 

William, 199 
Potter, Geo. F., 459 
Pratt, Aaron, 462 

Charles H., 242 439 

John M., 242 382 418 529 

Otis, 462 

Thomas, 154 

William, 447 
Prentice, .John, 263 
Prescott, Ebenezer, 36 50 
Priest, Daniel, 126 291 
Proctor, Clarence D., 462 

Clarence M., 431 432 532 

Simeon, 34 
Puffer, Charles H , 446 448 462 

Eugene A., 439 462 

George F.. 446 448 462 

James, 313 

Reuben, 313 403 419 529 
Putnam, Daniel. 14.s 163 214 425 



1018 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



Putnam, John, 137 142 423 
Nathan, 257 
Salmon W., 423 

QUINCr, J., 46 

RAND, Ananias, 148 196 

Asa, 354 358 
Randall, Ezra, 239 

Jonas, 403 

Phinehas, 432 497 

Stephen, 167 259 347 509 
Raymond, Ari, 514 

Oliver A., 399 

William, 500 
Rebel, John, 461 
Redman, Robert, 54 65 

Charles, 54 
Reed, William, 36 
Rice, Aaron, 461 

Asaph, 255 

Charles H., 517 

Charles J., 223 

Eliakim, 181 199 201 202 

Emery, 432 

Harvey J., 455 

Homer T., 329 

Jonas, 149 180 181 201 206 
328. 545 

Joseph, 222 299 409 430 432 

Joseph P., 238 329 432 436 
437 438 449 450 476 

Levi, 307 

Reuben, 149 166 181 198 199 
201 204 206 369 395 430 432 

Salmon, 395 

Samuel, 118 

Sawyer, 330 

Susan C 432 

Walter, 505 

Zebulon, 201 

Zilpah, 210 
Rich, John, 94 96 97 114 126 130 229 

251 
Richardson, Jonas, 363 

William H., 462 
Rideout, Frank H., 419 
Robinson, David, 141 143 

James, 53 

John, 53 
Rockwood, Charles F., 240 242 349 

George, 228 239 398 417 568 

George G., 387 421 423 461 572 

S. Augustus, 452 
Rodamel, Simon, 94 96 97 119 126 

159 166 198 
Rodiman, Adam, 154 161 

Jacob, 148 151 166 198 

Peter, 170 171 



Rolfe, Benjamin, 40 41 
Rollins, Edward B., 317 
Ross, Moses, 409 

Thomas, 148 154 194 
Royall, William, 45 47 56 
Ruggles, Otis T., 387 
Russell, David, 390 

Eliakim T., 418 

Franklin, 240 241 387 422 

Fred. W., 347 

Levi W., 348 515 516 

Moses, 141 

M. Thomas, 445 

Samuel, 34 

Thomas, 422 

Walter, 237 238 299 422 

Ward, 422 
Ryan, Daniel F., 439 

Thomas H., 454 

SABIN, Lewis, 330 
Sackett, Francis, 442 459 461 545 
Salter, Samuel, 119 126 141 143 
Samson, Aaron, 126 141 143 

David, 163 197 

Henry K., 452 

J. Horace, 329 

Jonathan, 88 92 102 109 114 
126 134 135 137 147 148 
151-4 160 164 166 167 186 
193 197 206 210 287 428 430 

Oliver, 300 313 
Sanders, Hopestill, 56 

John, 56 

Samuel, 56 
Sanderson, Simeon, 510 511 
Sawtell, Frank B., 460 

Warren F., 419 
Sawyer, Edward, 307 573 

Mannassah, 148 193 

Mary A., 347 

Paul, 154 
Schoffe, Jacob, 94 95 97 114 116 126 

251 
Seollay, George W., 514 

Grover, 299 432 

John, 432 

Samuel, 495 
Selham, Henry, 115 118 119 

Jacob, 94 96 

Senter, Dr. , 134 465 

Shaffer, John, 458 
Shattuck, Job, 214 

John, 364 367 

Rinaldo, 455 
Shaw, Robert N., 447 
Sheldon, Josiah, 69 
Sheperd, John, 56 
Sherbert, Charles, 454 



INDEX. 



1019 



Shipman, Thomas L., 2r,!i 
Sibley, Edward, 4r)4 
Sinclair, Albert G.. 222 
Skelton, Emnia, 280 
Skinner. H. B., ai:. 
Small, Joseph H., 40:. 
Smeddy, Morris, 4(iO 
Smith, Abraham, 92 2o2 

Andrew ,7., 313 

Charles E., 452 

John W., HI 

Joseph, 144 

Joshua, 227 231 295 347 380 
524 

William H., 460 
Sohier, William D.,353 
Sparhawk, Thomas, 34 
Spaulding, Benjamin, 91 118 124 126 

James, 102 366 

John A., 452 

Miles, 474 

Nathan, 312 

Newell, 315 

William S.. 500 501 
Stack, Henry, 94 96 
Starkey, Charles L. , 460 
Starr, Benjamin, 30 31 

Thomas, 29 31 40 
Stearns, Alice, 545 

Asa, 494 

Charles, 228 236-8 305 328 329 
348 434 531 568 

Clement C, 329 

David, 248 

George IL, 462 

Isaac, 34 106 149 165 179 215 
557 563 

Jesse, 341 348 565 

Jesse G. D., 499 500 

John, 106 497 498 

Josiah M., 503 

Leonard, 395 

Thomas, 59 118 134 

Timothy, 235 434 

William, 149 179 232 347 
Stedman, David, 149 160 231 

Ebenezer, 34 
Stevens, George F., 241 242 359 534 
535 

Moody A., 278 279 

Samuel S., 307 394 410 415 
Stewart, Luther E., 449 
Stickney, Alonzo L.. 473 
Stimson, Charles, 420 430 

Charles L., 462 

Elbridge, 239 240 394 417 422 
423 534 573 

Lemuel, 181 201 210 233 311 
313 333 395 



Stimson, Mirick, 398 407 

Keuben, 431 
Stoddard, John H., 439 
Stone, Amos, 430 

Charles, 4(i3 

Ephraim, 126 229 230 289 557 

George A., 4411 

Hosea, 221 228 235 2;'.6 271 
394 432 433 

John, 36 

John C. , 392 

Joseph, 141 163 185 379 380 

Oliver, 126 135 136 152 230 

Peter, 283 

William, 315 

William P., 348 469 
Stowe, Mortimer M., 283 534 
Stowell, Jeremiah, 420 

Joshua, 420 

Joshua T., 452 

Moses, 420 

Ransom G., 447 455 462 
Stratton, Herbert S., 223 
Sumner, Benjamin, 55 57 

Ebenezer, 55 

Edward, 55 

Increase, 55 

Joseph, 255 

Josianiah, 53 

Samuel, 54 55 57 61 

Seth, 53 88 105 

William, 53 55 
Swift, James, 54 

John, 53 116 248 

Obadiah, 54 

William, 53 10(; 

TAYLOR, Amos, 283 329 

David, 102 118 148 

Ephraim, 430 

Jonathan, 126 134 135 137 142 
147 151 230 297 

Nathan, 341 

Oliver, 341 

Samuel A., 437 445 460 461 

Thaddeus, 558 
Temple, Theron, 348, 472 
Tenney, Hartwell, 461 

Josephine, 329 

Mabel W., 330 

Samuel J., 403 417 

Timothy, 461 

William, 403. 417 
Thayer, F. C. L. W., 448 
Thomas, Henry E., 441 

Josiah, 460 
Thompson, Charles O., 356 359 

John B., 24(1 

Michael, 452 



1020 



HISTORY OF ASHBUKNHAM. 



Thurston, Lyman F., 448 
Tileston, Cornelius, 54 

Elisha, 77 81 

Thomas, 44 45 47 55-!) 06 70 
77 105 106 

Timothy, 54 57 77 81 
Tilton, Abraham, 44 45 
Tolman, John, 53 
Torrey, Ebenezer, 354 355 35;> 
Tottingliam, Moses, 164 341 
Townsend, Abraham, 181 

Isaac, 35 

Joseph, 430 

Joshua, 299 348 41G 419 

Margaret, 187 194 210 

Reuben, 179 200 201 219 222 
228 235-7 242 2(10 307 328 
430 570 
Trask, John, 521 
Trescott, Elizabeth, 55 
Joseph, 53 59 
Samuel, 55 
Tuckerman, Albert H., 400 

Henry, 343 348 
Turner, Amasa, 119 

John, 269 
Tyler, Henry M. , 359 

UPHAM, Sumner H., 400 

Ai'ALENTINE, John E., 44s 
Vanness, Henry, 494 
Vincent, Hebron, 315 
Vorback, Philip, 94 126 251 
Vose, James E., 349 358 

WADE, Nathaniel, 56 
Wales, Eleazer, 56 
Waliant, John E., 461 
Walker, Addison A., 239 240 308 329 
387 417 436 437 441 444 451 
534 535 
James, 461 
James L., 452 
John K., 442 
Rebecca, 229 330 
Wallace, Frank W., 407 
Hosea C, 448 
John W., 545 
Lincoln, 452 
Merrick, 42 470 
Webster W. , 463 
William, 455 
Wallis, David, 149 180 206 207 

Ebenezer, 180 204 206 
Ward, Alvan, 405 409 418 

Caleb, 126 142 194 232 233 348 

533 
Carlos P., 452 



Ward, George P., 463 

Harlem E., 460 462 

Isaac D.. 239 320 342 405 419 

Jacob, 42S 431 

John, 369 370 

Marcus L., 453 

Martin N., 461 

Rebecca, 266 

Samuel, 283 306 

William, 148 152-4 158 160 
163 187 194 197 206 210 

W. L. G.,405 
Ware, Stephen N., 399 400 
Warren, Joseph, 53 
Washburn, Seth, 171 

William B., 344 
Watkins, Jehiel, 236. 434 
Wayland, Francis, 353 354 358 359 
Webster, Moses, 315 
Weeks, Ammiel, 54 

George, 54 

Joseph, 53 54 63 
Wellington, Amos, 118 
Wenneg, Jacob, 126 
West, Julia Houston, 329 
Wetherbee, Amos, 347 

Benjamin E., 241 242 399 415 

Ephraim, 35 39 50 142 

George M., 447 

Joseph, 321 

Josiah L., 434 

Marshall, 228 239-41 349 398 
437 534 571 

Oliver, 119 126 

Phineas, 126 136 
Wheeler, Asahel, 432 437 439 445 
460 461 

Ephraim, 39 72 90 

Samuel, 56 

Thomas, 91 115 243 251 287 
390 
Wheelock, Joseph, 30 41 56 61 62 68 
70 72 81 106 

Timothy, 56 
Wheildon, W. G., 413 
Whipple, Charles H., 460 

Frederick R., 455 

James E., 447-9 462 

Russell, 455 
Whitcomb, Asa, 142 

Benjamin, 126 

Oliver, 126 142 

William, 92 114 127 137 142 
147 150 163 168 171 21S 220 
229 230 252 557 
White, Abner, 415 

Charles H., 439 447 448 462 
544 

Elisha, 221 228 232-4 283 299 



INDEX. 



1021 



White, Elisha, 8:50 U7 370 53;'. 
I vers, 397 531 
John, 154: 160 167 364 
Josiah, 430 
Josiah E., 32i) 
Lorenzo, 315 
Nelson D., 222 
William, 5!) 
William P., 315 
William S., 461 
Windsor N., 222 
Whiteman, Christian W., 94-7 115 

119 126 251 
Henry, 434 
Jacob, 407 
John, 252 347 
Newton B.. 461 
Nicholas, 14!) 153 154 160 197 

207 
Whitmore, Alfred, 22S 

Alfred A., 318 320 

Edward, 163 166 179 197 198 

Enoch, 222 235 237 238 319 336 

348 417 419 430 432 433 485 

565 568 
Frank B., 447 
Isaac, 179 198 210 347 434 
Joseph, 230 393 
Lorenzo Locke, 348 471 573 
Orange S., 461 
Whitney, Austin, 222 228 240 241 

386 387 398 423 
Charles H., 385 
Charles M., 463 
Charles W., 242 385 454 
Ephraim, 367 
Francis A., 240 242 347 348 

359 535 
George O.,460 
Giles H., 222 
Isaac, 364 
John, 143 413 
Joseph H., 441 445 460 461 
Josiah, 148 151 205 
Judah, 367 
Lemuel, 95 100 313 366 434 

448 
Levi, 167 326 
Merrick, 391 392 447 
Milton, 492 493 
Moses, 393 
Ohio, 222 228 237-41 308 317 

348 334 358 359 386 387 397 

420 486 523 534 570 
Orange, 242 414 415 
Samuel V., 392 398 422 432 

531 
Silas, 369 391 434 562 
Stephen C, 455 



Whitney, Walton B., 535 

Wilbur F., 222 228 349 387 

406 413 414 532 534 
William, 512 
Whittemore, Samuel, 34 
Wight, Daniel, 318-21 349 
Wiat, Edward, 55 
Wilder, Abel. 510 

Andrew, 59 60 63 66 72 375 
Caleb, 70 81 88 98 100 104 125 

233 234 246-8 286 290 333 

348 403 432 434 
Charles W., 511 
David, 143 147 
Gardner, 70 
Joseph, 30 32 40 41 46 47 56 

57 59 60 77 81 104 113 114 

137 142 
Josiah, 102 363 
Oliver, 56 61 62 65 68 105 291 
Oliver D., 452 460 462 
Samuel, S8 104 114 124-6 134 

136 151 158 164 167 220 226 

229-32 283 289 293 295 347 

365 369 377-9 477 539 545 

557 
Sarah, 545 
Thomas, 53 105 
William, 141 151 230 
Willard, Alonzo L., 405 418 
Amos F., 461 
Caleb, 430 
C. Edgar, 439 
Elijah, 510 
Francis S., 453 
Frederick E., 385 
George, 463 
George A., 95 
Henry, 432 
Hezekiah, 126 
Jacob, 127 136 142 213 214 218 

220 221 226 227 230-3 257 

297 365 369 480 
James H., 448 
John, 126 136 147 151 230 234 

235 283 300 313 333 347 432 

434 480 524 533 
Jonas, 336 348 
Josiah, 38 46 50 
Moses, 37 50 
Oliver, 126 142 147 158 161 

163 195 230 
Peter, 137 
Philander J., 434 
Samuel, 141 143 
Silas, 219 228 233-5 300-4 313 

432 481 523 524 
Timothy, 390 
Williams, David O., 460 



1022 



HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM. 



AVillianis, Eleazer, 81 
Willis, John, 56 
Wilker, George, 370 430 
Jacob, 94 137 
Joseph W., 95 
Wilkie, Walter, 316 
Wilkins, John H., 228 241 242 572 
Wilson, Charles, 458 

George W., 447 
Winchester, C. and G. C. 86 404 406 
407 410 
Charles, 239 314 359 395 396 

410-13 573 
George C, 222 308 : 54 359 
386-8 396 398 410-13 442 531 
534 570-2 
Henry, 141 143 168 
Jonathan, 102 120 121 127 142 
163 243 246 248 251-4 355 
369 521 
Jonathan David, 495 496 
Joseph, 248 
William, 163 
Winter, Andrew, 94 96 126 166 193 
206 376 521 
Jacob, 144 172 
John, 154 193 194 



Winter, Philip, 142 143 U& 
Withington, Edward, 101 

John, 52 54 57 59 

Ricliard, 54 
Wood, Charles, 453 

Ebenezer, 143 326 

George, 432 

Nahum, 391 421 

Pliny, 315 316 

Solomon, 558 

Stephen, 382 885 

Timothy, 12G 142. 
Woodell, James M., 455 ^ 
Woodcock, William L., 222 
Woodman, Henry, 63 64 
Woods, Asa, 234 299 336 

John, 100 

Leonard, 516 

Samuel, 307 394 530 533 538 
Woodward. Charles E., 242 283 347 
348 531 535 

John G., 31 239 240 
Worcester, Abijah, 126 

James L., 529 
Wyman, Stephen, 344 

YOUNG, William M., 455 



